The latest ProCabin for the Mercedes-Benz Actros is now live in Australia. OwnerDriver chats with the team behind the model to learn the latest efficiency and safety designs included in the exciting release
When you think of Mercedes-Benz trucks in Australia, what comes to mind? Is it powerful engines? Innovative safety systems? A collection of constant efficiencies that make driving behind the wheel each day easier?
For Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ latest release, the prominent feature of the new ProCabin is streamlined aerodynamics.
Unveiled in late November, 2025 as the newest model from Daimler Truck Australia Pacific to hit local roads, the new-look ProCabin boasts an array of updates, from safety to fuel efficiency. OwnerDriver sat down with the team at Daimler Truck Australia Pacific to discuss what changes owner-operators and drivers should know about when it comes to the new ProCabin.
“The ProCabin is the new cabin for our larger Actros models and was designed with the core focus of cutting drag and driving down fuel consumption,” Daimler Truck Australia Pacific vice president of sales, marketing and operations Andrew Assimo told OwnerDriver.
“But there are also some really exciting safety upgrades as well.”
According to Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO Daniel Whitehead, the new Actros ProCabin is a “shining example” of the brand’s commitment to driving down fuel consumption through innovation. Now available in Australia, the ProCabin replaces the existing larger cab Actros models in the 2.5 StreamSpace and Gigaspace variants. When it comes to the smaller cab models in the 2.3 ClassicSpace and StreamSpace, they will continue with the existing design.
With the Actros already being well known for its fuel economy, Assimo says a lot of work has been put into its engines over the years for durability and efficiency.
“In order to evolve our product and benefit our customers, the team focused on aerodynamics,” he says.
“They did this by extending the front of the truck by 80mm and then tapering the front. The smooth surfaces help guide the air around the truck.”
When it comes to this aerodynamic focus, Whitehead says Mercedes-Benz Trucks was never going to sit still.
“The ProCabin extends our efficiency leadership through intelligent design, and we know our customers will appreciate the fuel economy gains it delivers.”
As part of the new design, unwanted gaps and joints are removed, guiding air either around the cabin or straight into the truck’s cooling system. This concentration of the airflow maintains the cooling effectiveness of the Actros.
There are also new sail-shaped side air deflectors at the rear of the cabin and a new roof spoilers alongside a new under-cab spoiler. Along with the new exterior design, these features reduce air turbulence and improve air flow.
Assimo confirms a major focus of the upgrade was about controlling this airflow to maximise the efficiency of the new model.
“When you talk to customers, fuel efficiency is even more important than ever given how tough it is out there at the moment,” he says.
“Any little gain in aerodynamics can make a big difference because it translates directly into fuel savings.
“There is actually more to the aerodynamics than you can see. The gap between the cab and the chassis has been sealed and the airflow under the truck is also controlled by a spoiler. The roof spoiler and side spoilers have been redesigned as well as part of a complete package to help the truck cut through the air.”
Part of this redesign to maximise efficiency is the removal of the traditional grilles. This begs a common question – what about the cooling?
“The ProCabin design guides air either around the cabin or straight into the truck’s cooling system, which maintains its cooling effectiveness,” Assimo says.
“It has been tested extensively in hot climates around the world, as you would expect from Daimler Truck, and it hasn’t missed a beat.”
Fuel efficiency and airflow wasn’t the only focus for the Daimler Truck team when developing this new-look Actros. Assimo admits a bullbar was a key priority for the Australian market, with the brand partnering with a local business to produce a tailored option.
“We worked with Australia’s Durabar, who has developed a special aluminium bar that is customised for the truck and doesn’t obscure any of the radars,” he says.
“The truck is the obviously the most efficient without a bullbar, but we have seen some great fuel numbers with the Durabar bullbar installed. One truck, a tall GigaSpace version with the Durabar bullbar, was getting 2.3km per litre as a B-double, fully loaded both ways, which is a really impressive number, especially for a brand-new truck with hardly any kilometres on the clock.”
He says the Durabar product ensures customers can buy a bullbar that maintains the truck’s cooling efficiency.
Outside of the aerodynamic factor, there are new LED headlights including optional Matrix active headlights that are available for optimum light performance. The Matrix headlights can automatically dip the high beam for oncoming traffic, while maintaining the high beam spread either side of the approaching vehicle.
Bedside control panels have been improved, ambient lighting has been upgraded and new USB-C sockets have been added to side panels. A high-quality two-tone curtain has been introduced and a second factory-fitted fridge has been added to the option list. There are also improved seat-heating and seat covers.
A following key pillar of the new ProCabin is safety, from the latest technology suite to a variety of safety radars. All Actros models have been upgraded with the Active Brake Assist 6 safety package in a sign of the latest innovation.
While the Actros already had one safety radar, which was centrally mounted and worked with a camera installed behind the windscreen, engineers have now fitted radars on the outer edge of the front bumper and on each side of the cab. This enables a 270-degree view around the vehicle and allows for the ASGA system to be improved by covering an even greater area than before.
It can even stop the truck when it is turning left (up to 20km/h) if it detects a hazard. This all comes in addition to the truck’s ability to automatically brake for vehicles or pedestrians in the event the driver does not respond to warnings of a potential collision.
“Safety has always been a priority for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and we are not about to walk away from our leadership in this field,” Assimo says.
“So, we introduced a new safety suite across the range that uses an electronics platform that is 20 per cent faster. There are five radars, in addition to the forward facing camera, and they combine to provide a 270-degree view around the vehicle. It includes Active Side Guard Assist 2, which can even brake for objects and people it picks up down the side of the truck.
“We are also introducing a new fatigue alert system that monitors driver inattentiveness or fatigue by means of visual and acoustic warnings.”
The Actros is available with the optional Active Drive Assist 3 for partially automated driving (SAE Level 2). Active Drive Assist uses an electric motor located on the steering box to provide assistance in addition to the standard hydraulic power steering. It not only helps keep the truck in the lane, but also provides more assistance to the driver and improving manoeuvrability, especially at lower speeds.
The Actros features Predictive Powertrain Control, which uses topographic map data and GPS information to help the truck anticipate terrain and select the optimum shift pattern and engine response for maximum fuel economy.
Finally, the Actros also comes with Predictive Powertrain Control to continue drive down fuel consumption. It’s clear from this breakdown that Daimler Truck Australia Pacific is leaving no stone unturned in making its latest Australian product more streamlined, efficient and safe than ever before.
“This allows for satellite-enabled coasting and shifting, which uses topographic map data and GPS information to help the truck anticipate terrain and select the optimum shift pattern and engine response for maximum fuel economy,” Assimo says.
STORY WITH THANKS TO OWNER DRIVER MAGAZINE