Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: World Premiere of the New Generation Unimog and Econic

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Today Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is celebrating the world premiere of a ten-model Unimog lineup (U 216 to U 5024) as well as of several two and three-axle variants of the low-entry Econic special-purpose vehicle. As a result, the era of Euro VI-compliant engines is now also being ushered in for special trucks. The new vehicles will begin to roll off the assembly line in Wörth in September. Following the successful introduction of the Euro VI-compliant models of the series Actros, Antos, Arocs, Atego, Mercedes-Benz is now continuing its Euro VI product offensive with the presentation of the new generation of unique vehicle concepts in Wörth: the Unimog all-terrain vehicle, the Unimog implement carrier, and the Econic. As a result, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Special Trucks are currently the only manufacturers in Europe to offer Euro VI-compliant products in all categories of the light, medium, and heavy-duty segments, as well as in the special-purpose vehicle sector. The brand has achieved comprehensive compliance nine months before the new emissions standard goes into effect, thus underscoring its leading role as a supplier of environmentally friendly automotive technology.

“In a wide variety of applications, the three new model series impressively demonstrate the leading role that the Unimog and the Econic play in innovation,” says Yaris Pürsün, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. “We’re convinced that the new vehicles will set standards and substantially contribute to the business success of existing and future customers.”

Efficient and economical despite Euro VI compliance

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks did everything it could to build on the proven model series’ success and further strengthen its pioneering role in the area of environmentally friendly trucks. To do this, the brand invested around €135 million in three completely new and unique vehicle concepts for its Euro VI-compliant product range. The new product lineup introduces the new BlueEfficiency Power medium-duty engine generation in special trucks, now that it has been successfully installed in regular Mercedes-Benz trucks. The four and six-cylinder engines have outputs ranging from 115 kW (156 hp) to 260 kW (354 hp). The state-of-the-art engines combine low fuel consumption with extremely clean exhausts. They make the Unimog more efficient overall, despite the extensive design changes that were implemented to ensure compliance with Euro VI. And in the Econic, the engines even reduce fuel consumption by up to four percent. In addition to being extremely reliable, the new special trucks boast a long service life and long maintenance intervals — features that pay off for the customer.

Efficient assembly process and mass production quality

From the initial draft stage to job number 1, the new-generation Unimog and Econic have been completely made in Wörth. The development department of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks created the vehicles all on its own while at the same time benefiting from the proximity of the mass production operations for Mercedes-Benz trucks. The joint use of the production processes in Wörth ensures extremely efficient assembly operations and a high level of quality assurance. The vehicle concepts of the special trucks are based on the modular principle used for the Actros, Antos, Arocs, and Atego series. For example, the Econic incorporates many components from the new Actros, including the chassis, the electronics architecture, and certain control elements. The broad range of new products was made possible by the close interlinking of series-production operations and the special truck manufacturing facility.

Unimog and Econic: cleaner, stronger, and more efficient

Despite the challenges resulting from the Euro VI standard, the three vehicle ranges were able to further increase the advantages of their concepts. The new generation of the Unimog all-terrain vehicle, the Unimog implement carrier, and the Econic have thus substantially increased their performance and efficiency while also becoming easier to operate. In addition to new engines for all model series, the Unimog all-terrain vehicle boasts a revamped mid-engine concept, and the Unimog implement carrier features a new synergistic traveling drive, an updated cab providing all-round visibility, and new hydraulic systems for implements and performance that make the vehicle significantly more efficient to use. The new Econic further enhances the low-entry cab concept and boasts many ergonomic improvements as a result of its new chassis, interior, and exterior. Despite its unchanged payload, the truck is also much more economical than its predecessor, thanks to reduced fuel consumption and lower costs for repair and maintenance.

About Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks (MBS) is a separate product unit within Mercedes-Benz Trucks and has its own management board and business responsibilities. As a professional specialist for small-batch production, MBS rounds out the Mercedes-Benz product range with the Econic, Unimog, and Zetros model series. In 2012 the facility in Wörth produced about 3,450 units of these vehicles. As a professional conversion specialist with a plant in Molsheim, France, and a number of conversion partners, MBS also customizes around 10,000 trucks from all model series each year. MBS currently employs about 1,600 men and women at its two locations in Wörth and Molsheim.

Credits: Daimler AG

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