 | | NZG branded box. |  |  | | Very good front end. |  | | Wheel chocks, lenses on the lights and towing hitch. |  | | Without the swap body. |  | | Metal structure. |  | | Travelling light. |  | | Steering movement is good. |  | | Unloading the swap body. |
|  Comment on this model.
Mercedes Benz introduced this version of the Actros truck in June 2011 and this model is of the FH25 BigSpace 6x2 truck with a two axle trailer. The BigSpace cab is designed for international duties. Both parts of the truck have swap bodies.
The model is in the colours of DB Schenker. It is the transportation and logistics activities of Deutsche Bahn. and in the financial year 2011 it had revenues of around 19.8 billion euros.
Packaging
The model comes in an NZG branded box and sits in an expanded polystyrene tray. There were no missing parts or defects on the review model, and no information about the model or the real machine.
There is no assembly other than to configure the vehicle.
Detail
The Actros BigSpace is a heavy model and it is almost completely metal. The chassis has the transmission fully modelled and the tanks and exhaust after-treatment system are detailed. The tyres are a mixture of different thicknesses mounted on good looking wheels.
The BigSpace cab has a roof light, horns and aerials on top and the interior is two-tone and good quality. The grille at the front is finely reproduced and the lights have plastic lenses. Realistic number plates are at the front and back and the graphics are simple and clear and include some tiny BlueTec efficiency signs.
At the rear the lights have plastic lenses, there are wheel chocks and a spare wheel.
The trailer is of a similar standard being mainly metal with good wheels and there are a couple of spare tyres.
The swap bodies are identical parts and they are composite metal and plastic. The underside and ends are metal and the sides and roof are plastic. At the rear the casting has locking handles which are highlighted with silver paint.
The sides represent curtains with the tie-down straps at the bottom and very sharp graphics, and the roof has some subtle texture to indicate flexible material.
Features
The truck has working steering which turns to a very realistic angle.
The rear axle is a lift axle so it can be clipped out of service although the range of movement was small on the review model.
The trailer has a steering axle and a floating drawbar so it can be attached to the truck.
The swap bodies have legs which pull out and can be rotated so the body can stand clear of the truck or trailer chassis. The legs cannot be clipped in the down position so it is easy for them to fold when touched.
Quality
This is a high quality model which is made well, particularly the metal parts.
The paint and graphics are simple but good.
Price
It is a little pricey but just about fair value.
Overall
NZG's Actros models have a high quality feel and look attractive and this one is no exception. This one has some interesting functionality with the swap bodies and the livery is well known.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the second half of 2012 and was made in a run of 300 models.
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|  | | On the road. |  | | Smart looking truck. |  | | Colour match of the plastic curtainside and metal is very good. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | Trailer profile. |  | | Underneath. |  | | Convincing model. |  | | Long vehicle. |  | | Bodies waiting in the yard. |
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