IDEX 2023: Mercedes Benz showcasing special trucks highly adapted to Middle East environments.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is highlighting the extent to which its logistical and tactical vehicles meet the requirements of the respective application and boost efficiency with smart technologies. The manufacturer uses its extensive range of tried-and-tested standard parts and components from its large-scale production vehicles. The result is customized off-road and protected vehicles with different bodies and conversions. The range extends from off-road Atego, Actros and Arocs model series trucks, to the high-capacity off-road Unimog and Zetros model series, and the heavy-duty Actros SLT and Arocs SLT semitrailer tractors.

Mercedes-Benz Zetros 3351 A 6x6 with sand tires and automatic tire pressure control system (Picture source: Army Recognition)

These wheeled vehicles are designed so that they can reach the respective destination in the area of application as quickly and safely as possible on roads and paved paths as well as on very demanding terrain and under various different climatic and environmental conditions. Depending on the model, the specific vehicle range is characterized by equipment features such as high-torque and robust engines, all-wheel drive with single tires, transverse and interaxle differential locks, tire pressure control system, air and rail loading capability, fording depth up to 1,200 millimeters, roof hatch and numerous other features. If required, the vehicles are also available for delivery with special equipment for defense tasks – for example with military single-color or multi-color camouflage paintwork as well as camouflage light circuit and convoy lamp.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks support the experts from Mercedes-Benz Custom Tailored Trucks (CTT) for special conversions. CTT has made it its mission to deliver tailor-made solutions even for very difficult customer requirements – for a wide variety of terrain profiles, extreme temperatures and very high maneuverability as well as for heavy loads, extraordinary functions and various special requests.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is showcasing the Arocs 4652 AK 8x8/4 semitrailer truck with Hyva hook lift (Titan 30 65 SK) and Bruns roll-off load compartment floor (AGPS 7500), the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 3351 A 6x6 with automatic transmission, the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4042 AS 6x6 with hydraulic double winch made by HPC (TLS 2.20) and the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 4000 with a soft top. Some of the vehicles have been specially configured for areas with dry, hot and sandy environments.

Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks & Custom Tailored Trucks: “The Middle East, North Africa and numerous other African countries are important sales regions for us. Our tailor-made vehicles with a wide range of partner solutions are well-suited for a wide variety of transport and support tasks. The almost global availability of spare parts and the almost global Mercedes-Benz service network also offer high added value in terms of vehicle repair and maintenance – and thus also sustainable customer benefits."

The Mercedes-Benz Arocs 4652 AK 8x8/4 semitrailer truck is predestined for heavy-duty material and off-road applications. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Mercedes-Benz Arocs model series

The proven Mercedes-Benz Arocs impressively combines power, reliability and robustness. This comes as a result of its high-torque engines and highly resilient drive components, as well as a solid chassis and suspension design. Various basic variants in combination with a wide range of possible special equipment optimize the operational off-road capability as well as in demanding climatic and environmental conditions. Thanks to a diversity of available drive types and cab sizes, the Arocs can be very well configured for specific applications and customer requirements. The vast suitability for a host of bodies and the preparation of the frame design ex works for different applications result in sophisticated, complete vehicle solutions.

One highlight of the Arocs model series is the low-emission Euro VI engines. Customers can choose the right drive for their applications from four economical, long, block engines with a variety of power levels and variants. The engine spectrum ranges from 7.7 liters displacement with 175 kW (238 hp) to 15.6 liters displacement and 460 kW (625 hp). This makes it possible to transport heavy loads with gross combination mass of up to 250 tons (up to 180 tons without an additional cooler). For use in regions with lower emission requirements or inferior fuel qualities, the Arocs is also available with a wide range of robust engines with Euro III, IV or V emissions certification. Solutions are also available for operation with NATO fuels (F34/F63).

The Mercedes-Benz Zetros concept

Designed for durability, ease of use, and high off-road capability, the new generation Zetros truck with American cab has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of regions with limited infrastructure, lower emissions requirements and thus the use of lower fuel grades. The low cab enables high special bodies such as drilling rigs or turntable ladders and use under difficult conditions for people and materials.

With the Zetros 3351 A 6x6, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks underpins the reputation of the Zetros as an extreme workhorse that can effortlessly cope with potholes and mud holes, mountains and hills, sand, dust, cold and heat. This applies in particular to the first version of the vehicle with tubeless tires in size 525 in combination with the automatic tire pressure control system.

Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4042 AS 6x6 tank transport (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4042 AS 6x6

The 4042 AS 6x6 semitrailer truck exhibited at IDEX 2023 is a supplement to the product range that has been available since 2022. The OM 460 Euro III in-line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 12.8 liters delivers 310 kW (421 hp/2,100 Nm). The chassis is fitted with a Mercedes-Benz G260-16/11.7-0.69 transmission with a dual-plate dry clutch.

The dimensions of the two-axle Zetros are (L x W x H) 8,800 x 2,550 x 3,500 millimeters with a wheelbase of 4,800 millimeters. The vehicle has a permissible gross mass of 40 tons (9 tons on the front axle and twice 16 tons on the rear axle) and a gross combination mass of 120 tons. The M cab with center seat has space for 3 people.

The Zetros features tubeless single tires on the front and rear axles (14.00 R 20 Cross Country) for excellent traction on soft ground. The special equipment of the vehicle showcased at IDEX 2023 that is relevant to defense operations includes not only high fording capability, but also special stowage options for the equipment and the Mercedes-Benz 131–2c power take-off. As a body, the American cab variant vehicle is equipped with the TLS 2.20 hydraulic double winch made by HPC with an output of 2 x 20 tons.

Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4042 AS 6x6 tank transport (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Unimog: Benchmark for off-road capability

For years, Unimog has been one of the most widespread high-capacity off-road trucks in the world. And this comes as a result of its robustness, reliability and durability. In Thailand, for example, a Unimog fleet has been on the road for over 35 years.

The Unimog U 4000 and U 5000 model series are practically unrivaled in their range of applications for difficult operations away from roads and paved paths. Areas of application include military and humanitarian aid organizations, forest fire fighting, disaster relief and service and maintenance work in hard-to-reach places. In conjunction with many qualified bodybuilders, this results in completely individual system solutions.

Mercedes-Benz U4000 with folding top (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Unimog U 4000 with folding top

The vehicle showcased at IDEX 2023 is the tried-and-tested Unimog U 4000 with a long wheelbase. The OM 924 LA Euro III in-line four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.8 liters delivers an output of 160 kW (218 hp)/810 Nm. The dimensions of the Unimog 4000 are (L x W x H) 5,920 mm x 2,336 mm x 2,558 mm with a wheelbase of 3,850 mm. The permissible gross mass is 9.5 tons (4.4 tons on the front axle and 5.3 tons on the rear axle).

The variability of the Unimog is given a whole new dimension by the cab with folding top. With this version, the roof can be folded away. The plug-in windows of the doors can be removed and stowed in the cab. The windshield can be folded forwards. A roll bar has been optionally integrated into the body for crew safety. After having removed the cab body, the driver and front passenger have all-round visibility limited merely by the body. By reducing the vehicle height, transportation by air freight or below deck on ships is made easier. In addition, the vehicle is suitable for low passages that are otherwise impassable for vehicles of this weight class.

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks offers a very special solution for customers thanks to the folding top available for this model series. The basis for the uncompromising off-road capability of the Unimog U 4000 is the flexible frame with tubular cross members. It ensures the necessary stability on the road while also being able to twist off-road. This is ensured by the three-point mounts for the cab, engine, transmission and body, as well as defined interfaces for attachments and bodies. This means that even deflections of 500 millimeters are possible.