Mercedes-Benz has once again lifted the International Truck of the Year title, after its new Atego beat off competitors to win the prestigious award.

The new Atego range – which, for the first time, includes a factory-built diesel-electric hybrid version, polled 127 points from the judging panel of top industry journalists, representing 23 European countries. Its victory came by a comfortable margin: the second-placed vehicle scored 82 points.

The International Truck of the Year title is awarded annually to the vehicle which, in the eyes of the judges, makes the biggest innovative contribution to road haulage in terms of economy, emissions, safety, driveability and comfort. On top of its winning performance in all these categories, jury members were particularly impressed by the new Atego’s comprehensive list of standard equipment, and by the presence in the range of a clean, ‘green’ hybrid drive variant.

The judging panel’s verdict stated: “In the new Atego family, Mercedes-Benz presents a versatile medium-duty truck with ‘two souls’. On the one hand, the short-radius distribution driver now gets equipment which not long ago was reserved to long-haul drivers. On the other hand, the progressive parallel hybrid drive promotes the reduction of the CO2 emissions of commercial vehicles.”

Leaading industry commentator Brian Weatherley, who represented the UK on the jury, added: “What I like about the Atego is the way that Mercedes-Benz has built on a good existing product, with modifications and improvements that benefit not only the operator but the driver too, particularly in terms of cab comfort and storage.

“The fact that there is also a hybrid version also shows clearly that Mercedes-Benz is thinking about both the present and the future.”

The award was received by Hubertus Troska, head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, at the IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany. He said: “We are pleased that with this high honour the Truck of the Year jury has confirmed our efforts in two significant points: firstly, that we devote to the distributor vehicle the attention it deserves on account of its performance in the daily supply of the needs of our society; secondly, that it was right to continue our investments and developments in technologies of the future, like hybrid drive, even in economic crisis situations. That now pays off.”

The new Mercedes-Benz Atego range includes trucks from 7.5 to 16 tonnes gvw. All versions feature a smart new exterior, with styling reminiscent of the premium long-haul Actros tractor unit range.

Inside the cab, a long list of enhancements includes a new multifunction steering wheel, allowing drivers to operate the computer, radio, telephone and other devices safely and easily, without removing their hands from the wheel. There’s a new instrument cluster which includes an ecometer, to show the most economical engine speed range, and significantly upgraded seats, with new contours and a range of comfortable, hard-wearing covers. In-cab storage is also improved and the list of optional extras now includes a 23-litre electric coolbox.

The Atego 1222 BlueTec Hybrid is a 12-tonne gvw vehicle powered by a 4.8-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 160kw (218hp), supported by a 44kW electric motor. The truck not only meets the latest Euro 5 emissions criteria, but also the more stringent, and voluntary EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle) standard. Trials have shown it has the potential to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 10-15 per cent in short-radius distribution work.

The diesel engine and electric motor are in parallel, so both can drive the vehicle individually or in combination – the high-performance lithium-ion batteries can also be fed with energy recovered during braking.