A special model in a class of its own: for Mercedes‑Benz Trucks, the creation of the Edition 2 flagship was worth all the effort.

One dashboard after the other hangs over the production line. Here in the Mercedes‑Benz Wörth plant, the employees know exactly what to do when. The dashboard which is up next looks visibly different to the others – for a start, it’s covered with a beige‑coloured cover. And what’s underneath is reminiscent of the S‑Class. Mercedes‑Benz Trucks has covered it with black nappa leather. Various interior parts come in carbon-fibre look. And it’s already clear: in the next few hours, a special truck will be born on this production line.

The Actros Edition 2 special model in which the dashboard will be installed is one of a limited run of 400 vehicles. The truck has everything that it needs to be flagship vehicle and a truly special calling card of any vehicle fleet.

It takes around six hours for all of the equipment to be installed in the cab. Then the cab – shown here with magno cerussite grey paint – is fitted to the chassis, where it thrones above an extremely efficient 12.8‑litre six‑cylinder engine with an output of 390 kW.

Once the Actros leaves the production line, an employee drives it to the roller dynamometer. Driving functions and assistance systems are checked, the tachometer gets calibrated and the engine’s performance is tested. Then, the visual inspection takes place in the light tunnel. Only once this stage is passed is the Actros allowed to leave the production hall, where it is then ready for its finishing touches to become an Edition 2.

This takes the special model into an area of hall 16 in the northern part of the plant. Eleven employees here ensure that the special model is given its “wow” effect. One of those colleagues is Dominic Rutgers. “Here we carry out all of the special installations that aren’t possible on the production line as it would simply take too much time to do it any other way.” In a section of the hall, a workshop has been set up. It takes around a day’s work for the staff to complete each truck.

Whether it’s for the stainless steel axle hub caps or the aluminium steps in the side panelling, small teams install their special equipment one after the other. Standard components are removed and luxury parts installed in their place. “The plastic steps up to the cab, for example, get replaced with stainless steel steps.” Plus numerous other visual details are added on both the inside and outside, among which the “Edition 2” logo or the illuminated emblem in the entrance.

Dominic Rutgers finds the Edition 2 decals the ultimate highlight among all of the equipment. “Being part of this makes me feel really proud,” he says whilst gently gliding his hand over the decals on the side panelling.