A new Mercedes-Benz Actros – the world's first series production truck to replace rear vision mirrors with digital cameras and A-pillar screens – will be launched in New Zealand early next year.
The Mercedes-Benz plans to soon bring MirrorCam to NZ (and Australia) were revealed – along with a show truck equipped with the new technology – at last month's Brisbane Truck Show.
It's an early DownUnder adoption of the pioneering technology, which was only launched in Europe in March.
MirrorCam has slim, aerodynamic wings housing digital cameras looking rearwards rather than the usual, much bigger rear-vision mirrors. The vision they provide is shown on monitors on the A-pillars. 
The aero and weight improvement is reckoned to deliver a "small" fuel economy benefit in the Euro 6 Actros – the system also delivering unhindered forward and side vision, the latter making MirrorCam a valuable safety feature.
MirrorCam, which will initially go on the market here as an option for the new Actros, sees the cameras automatically adjust themselves each time the truck pulls away.
In corners, the view supplied by MirrorCam pivots, so the driver can always see the rear of the unit. A wide-angle mode assists the driver in manoeuvring or reversing. 
The system also helps the driver better judge the distances of vehicles alongside or behind, thanks to distance guidelines on the in-cab displays. 
Daimler Trucks confirmed in Brisbane that it's begun a comprehensive validation programme for the latest Actros, which also features GPS-assisted Predictive Powertrain Control for increased fuel efficiency, enhanced connectivity and the latest generation of advanced safety technology.
Pieter Theron, senior manager for Daimler Trucks in NZ, says that the test programme extends to NZ. It will start here before the end of September, with the pre-production units subsequently placed with "some key fleet customers."
He believes that the new Actros' primary benefits come from its Euro 6 engine and its fuel efficiency, the aerodynamic and safety advantages of MirrorCam and its Predictive Powertrain Control.
Says Theron: "Well, we all know that dollars and cents make the world turn for our customers – and we want to save them a lot of fuel. We've already proven with the current Actros and Arocs we are the benchmark in fuel consumption.
"And this truck, with Predictive Powertrain Control, which is available, in combination with MirrorCam, will save up to 5% additionally."
The reduced size of the camera wing, compared to a mirror, is also likely to reduce the chance of damage. And even in the event of damage, Mercedes-Benz expects the cost of replacing the camera assembly will "be in line with, or less than, replacing a traditional mirror assembly."
The new Actros revealed in Brisbane also has a new multimedia interface system with two Mercedes-Benz carlike high-resolution tablet-style screens that can be customised for driver preference. 
And its SoloStar Concept interior option offers a big fold-down bed, a lounge-style seat with generous legroom and a fully-flat walk-through floor.
And it has further improvement to driver controls, with new fingertip buttons added to the steering wheel, to manage the information displayed on the two large screens.
Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Australia Pacific director Michael May says that the current Actros "continues to win over new customers with its remarkable efficiency, reliability and comfort – but we will always look for ways we can further improve the experience of our partners with tried and tested innovation."