The precursor to today’s Mercedes Atego truck – the LN2 was launched forty years ago this year. Back in 1984, this was in the days before every truck had some distinct brand name, so the most famous of these trucks was the 7.5 tonner called simply the ‘814’ in the UK.
Produced between 1984 and 1998, the LN2 replaced the lightweight LP, which had been the number one in its segment for almost 20 years. The LN2 gave some hints to the future design cues of Mercedes tilting cab trucks – especially the heavy-duty class (SK as of 1988).
The “Light Class” covered a larger range than its predecessors: With a gross vehicle weight of 6.5 to 13 tons (models 709 to 1320, later even up to 1524), it overlapped at the bottom end of the range with the Düsseldorf van/T2 segment and at its top end with the Mercedes-Benz NG/SK.
In addition to short-distance, distribution and construction-site haulage, the Mercedes-Benz LN2, with power output categories of 90 to 204 hp and a long-distance cab with sleeper compartment, satisfied the increasing use of this vehicle class in long-distance haulage.
The Mercedes-Benz LN2 trucks were developed from scratch. They offered more active safety and a high level of driving comfort. The vehicles had body lengths comparable to those of LP trucks, a shorter wheelbase and power steering as standard, which made them more manoeuvrable.
Technical progress was evident in all vehicle components – from the cab to the drivetrain, chassis and brakes. For the first time, series-production trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 6.5t or more were fitted with a full compressed-air brake system, which meant that the Daimler-Benz anti-lock braking system could be fitted in these light-duty trucks.
Engine Power – LN2
The four and six-cylinder OM 364 and OM 366 engines originated in the OM 312, the forefather of the 300 engine model series dating back to 1949. Another novelty: For the first time, Daimler-Benz relied on low-profile tires in the Light Class in commercial vehicle design, which were intended to contribute to safe handling under all conditions. The optimised handling included neutral cornering properties, irrespective of the load condition, virtually no self-steering movements when braking or deflection, precise directional stability and minimal rolling movements.
When the new “Light Class” trucks replaced the previous light LP models in 1984 after almost 20 years of production, this was a huge step. From the 709 to the 1320 (later even up to the 1524), there were finely graduated weight and engine output variants. All-wheel drive was also available. Despite extensive standard equipment, vehicle technology down to the last detail and tilting driver’s cabs, the new models were able to exceed the proven high profitability of the LP predecessor series: Their load volume and transport capacity was higher, and fuel consumption as well as maintenance and repair costs were cut by ten percent each.
