• Daimler Truck showcases an N 56 at the “Schöne Sterne®” festival
• The first three-axle Mercedes-Benz truck shown together with an Actros L
• Also in Hattingen: classic Setra S 11 bus as seen in the “Strasse der Lieder” TV show, a show centring on songs and travel

Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Hattingen. At the “Schöne Sterne ®” Mercedes Festival, an event that took place on 26 and 27 August in Hattingen, Daimler Truck AG took part with an N 56, the first ever Mercedes-Benz three-axle truck. The company also showcased the classic Setra S 11 on the premises of Henrichshütte LWL Museum. The vehicle has a claim to fame as part of the “Strasse der Lieder” TV show, centring on songs and travel.

Three-axle vehicle from Wörth in the variant with wooden platform

Two vehicles – a genuine eye-catcher. The N 56 with low-frame chassis and steel-clad wooden cab was on show on a low-bed semitrailer pulled by a Mercedes-Benz Actros L. This classic vehicle's model series was produced between 1928 and 1933. In Hattingen, the restored, right-hand drive vehicle was shown in the variant with wooden platform with a length of 7, 400 millimetres that still boasts the original fittings.

The three-axle vehicle was powered by the M 36 six-cylinder petrol engine (7.8 litres displacement, 110 hp). The single-tyre truck driven by both rear axles stands on 12.75 x 20ʺ tyres. At the time, the fuel tanks were not mounted on the frame, but under the bench seat in the cab. The vehicle's maximum speed was 35 km/h. The three-axle vehicle, which was added to the Mercedes-Benz Truck Classic collection in Wörth many years ago, won the award for the vehicle with the “oldest initial registration” at the event.

Mercedes-Benz Actros L tractor vehicle

A three-axle Mercedes-Benz Actros L tractor vehicle with long cab and relievable axle was used to transport the low-loader with the N 56 to Hattingen. With three different cab technology variants, the Actros L offers the right cab variant for almost any requirement in long-distance haulage and heavy-duty distribution haulage: 2,500 mm wide, three roof shapes and a level floor.

The Actros L stands for high efficiency and reliability even in very demanding topography and when towing high loads. The exhibition vehicle was powered by a Mercedes Benz six-cylinder OM 473 with an output of 460 kW (625 hp) and a maximum torque of 3,000 Nm at 1,100 rpm. The OM 473 with a displacement of 16.1 litres is the pinnacle of this Mercedes-Benz truck engine generation. The OM 473 is paired with the fully automated G330-12 twelve-speed gearbox.

Setra S 11 – TV star from the first Setra model series 10

Many German viewers will be familiar with the vehicle from the “Strasse der Lieder” TV show starring Gotthilf Fischer. The original Setra S 11 (built in 1959) forms part of the first Setra 10 model series, offering space for 43 passengers, powered by a Henschel 522 DPK-L engine (6.13 litres displacement, 150 hp) in conjunction with a 5-speed S5-33 gearbox. The vehicle's maximum speed is 92 km/h.

The 10 model series helped the self-supporting design principle break through on the market and thus heralded the worldwide triumph of Setra buses. In 16 production years following the market launch of the S 8 in 1951, a total of around 7,500 units were sold.

During the festival, visitors had the opportunity to get comfortable in the S 11 as part of tours of the Henrichshütte site and experience a journey through time. The vehicle is part of the Setra classics exhibition in Neu-Ulm.  

Numerous “stars” on the red carpet

Around 13,000 visitors from 18 nations and 2000 vehicles came to the “Schöne Sterne®” Mercedes Festival, which was held for the 13th time this year, marking a new visitor record. Under the motto "All model series – all years of manufacture. The main thing is that it's a beautiful star!" this edition comprised a varied display of Mercedes-Benz classics, young classics, AMG cars, Unimogs as well as rare one-of-a-kind vehicles and commercial vehicles of many generations. A group of Mercedes fans from Malaysia was awarded a prize by a panel of judges for their 25,000-kilometre journey by car, which took them through 20 countries. As in previous years, participants were able to showcase their Mercedes models on the “red carpet” at the festival and have them assessed by a specialist panel of judges.