New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:56 | 
Written by Russell Brown
Merc takes control of drivers' heavy right feet
Developed by Mercedes-Benz and Zeta Automotive ExcelArate is a new fuel-saving device that fits between the engine’s ECU and the throttle, so long as the latter is electronically controlled, not cable-linked. It limits the engine’s power and revs according to the load being carried, only allowing higher revs when fully laden or tackling a steep incline.When travelling unladen or partially laden the system restricts power and revs so that the vehicle behaves exactly as it would when carrying 60 per cent of its load capacity. Real-world trials with the likes of Sainsbury’s, Parcelforce, Ocado and Ginsters have seen fuel savings of between 4.1 per cent and 15.8 per cent recorded.
ExcelArate is available under the EconoSpeed brand name direct from Zeta Automotive for other makes of van.
“By electronically restricting the vehicle’s maximum rate of acceleration to simulate that of a part-laden vehicle and forcing earlier gearchanges by limiting the maximum revs, we can mimic the behaviour of a careful, economical driver,” commented Zeta Automotive’s Gordon Anderson.
“It’s a ‘fit and forget’ system with no training or management required. It simply means driver’s will no longer be able to over-rev their engines, but when they need it — on a steep hill or with a heavy load — full power will still be available.”