Mercedes-Benz reveals ‘aero trailer’ concept
Posted 28th November, 2011 in Mercedes-Benz | Leave a comment
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has unveiled a design study at the Trailer 2011 Show in Belgium, that promises to drastically reduce running costs.
The ‘aero trailer’ concept features a much more slippery design than a regular trailer, wearing special trim panels including a front airdam that closes the distance between the tractor unit and trailer and tapered side pieces that draw in towards the front and have an opening at the rear. These openings direct air into that colossal diffuser that is linked to the underbody panelling.
When attached to a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, the “boat tail” design aero trailer provides a cut in wind resistance of 18 percent, meaning a five percent reduction in fuel use in real-life road traffic. During test runs, Mercedes has collated information and can conclude that a truck covering an average annual distance of 150,000 km will see consumption drop by 2,000 L per annum while at the same time slicing five tonnes of carbon dioxide from its emissions.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
