If you own a newer Mercedes passenger car, chances are you've heard of Mercedes' Electronic Stability Program (ESP), a technology which monitors the vehicle while driving and, in the event it's needed, helps correct oversteer, understeer, slippage, etc.

This same technology is referred to as Telligent stability control when it's used on Mercedes' larger trucks, but it performs basically the same functions as ESP. If there is any threat to stability in the form of skidding, tailsliding, jack-knifing, etc., the Telligent system detects the danger at an early stage, and counteracts these tendencies with specific braking intervention and control of engine torque.  Most of the time, the Telligent system responds even before the driver is aware the vehicle is in danger of losing its traction.

Up to this point, the Telligent system was only available on Mercedes' Actros models; today, Mercedes is announcing that buyers of the Axor semitrailer tractors will also have the option of adding the Telligent stability control system, if they so desire.

The system is particularly recommended for operations involving hazardous materials, such as in the oil industry, but personally, I'd take it on any truck regardless of what I was hauling.

You can never be too safe - that's my motto.

For more info on the Telligent stability control system and the Mercedes-Benz Axor, you can check out the full press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz Axor – now also available with Telligent Stability Control

Stuttgart, Dec 12, 2005

The Mercedes-Benz Axor semitrailer tractor is now also available with Telligent stability control as special equipment. This system, which has proved its worth for a number of years in the Actros and is known as ESP (Electronic Stability Program) in the passenger car sector, significantly reduces the risk of accidents.

Any threat to stability in the form of skidding, tailsliding, jack-knifing or the onset of a roll-over is detected at an early stage. Telligent stability control counteracts these tendencies with specific braking intervention and control of the engine torque. It responds automatically, usually before the driver is even aware that his vehicle is in danger of losing its roadholding – for example during cornering or when taking evasive action. Naturally the system cannot relieve him of the need to drive in accordance with the prevailing conditions, however.

The Axor with Telligent stability control is particularly recommended for operations involving hazardous materials, e.g. in the oil industry, where safety regulations are especially strict. Owing to its optimised payload, the Axor is also particularly suitable as a tanker or silo vehicle.

With models from 18 t gross vehicle weight, the Mercedes-Benz Axor offers a range of vehicles ideally suited to medium-distance haulage, heavy distribution and the construction sector. It thus forms the link between the light-duty Atego and the heavy-duty Actros. In addition to two-axle semitrailer tractors (18 t GVW), the range includes three-axle dropside trucks (up to 25 t GVW) as well as three and four-axle construction vehicles with gross vehicle weights of 26 t and 32 t respectively.


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