Mercedes Benz flags local SoloStar Concept for BTS

Brisbane Truck Show chose to show off sleeper cab innovation

 

Mercedes-Benz Australia will grace its Brisbane Truck Show stand with its SoloStar Concept sleeper cab option that is currently undergoing evaluation locally.

The truckmaker is seeing how its lounge-style passenger seat and convertible layout, featuring a mattress larger than the current 750mm version, is received in various transport sectors in Australia.

It says it considered the European SoloStar Concept system, but decided its bed “was simply not wide enough and subsequently worked to develop a larger bed that would better suit local requirements”.

“The maximisation of the existing cab interior means there is no change to the external structure of the cab, which keeps down cost and, most importantly, avoids any weight gain that could hurt productivity,” Benz says.

“It also retains the integrity of the original cabin, which passes both the ECE-R29 crash test standard and the Swedish cab strength standard.”

The idea is to maximise the living space of the cab and create two different spaces, one for resting and another for sleeping.

When the bed is folded up against the wall, the driver can enjoy a corner lounge-style seat that rests in the back corner of the cab and opens up a vast amount of legroom.

The lounge-style seat can be used by the driver during rest stops or can be utilised as a traditional passenger seat.

The passenger seat folds forward to allow the large bed, which features a locally-sourced mattress, to fold down.


Read about our Mercedes-Benz 2653 prime mover test drive shootout, here 


“We have received a lot of positive feedback about our current sleeper option and we thought we could expand on this and see what our customers think about the SoloStar Concept option, which delivers a larger bed as well as a cavernous rest option within our existing cab,” Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Australia director Michael May says.

“We think it is a great way to further increase driver comfort out on the road, without adding weight and we want to see whether it ticks all the boxes with our customers.”

The SoloStar Concept will be one of several attractions on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 16 to 19.

 

Send this to a friend