The new Mercedes-Benz Econic: Innovative, efficient, ergonomic and environmentally acceptable

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That the new Econic has quite a number of important other innovations apart from the environmentally acceptable high performance Euro VI engines can be seen at first glance by the modern design of the low entry cab – the heart of the Econic concept. The spacious cab with its ergonomic entry and exit has been rigorously upgraded with a much more advanced design to make working a great deal more efficient. There are also innovations on the chassis – the wide range of chassis versions allow the Econic to be used for a very wide variety of applications. The new arrangement of the power units behind the cab as well as other alterations to the frame makes mounting bodies easier. Despite the increased weight or additional Euro VI components it has been possible to retain the payload as it was up to now by weight-saving measures on chassis and frame. A great number of components have been taken from the volume manufacturing of the large-scale truck production such as the electronic systems, chassis components, new drivetrain and operating controls. Altogether the Econic is a completely new vehicle with the exception of the time-tried bodyshell of the cab.

The cab with a modern design, ergonomic and designed for the job

At the very first glance it is quite clear that the new Econic is a member of the new Mercedes-Benz truck family. The new radiator grille, the stronger bumpers and standard LED daytime running lamps identify the modern design of the Econic cab.

The new arrangement immediately catches the eye when getting into the low entry cab, which could be retained despite the required additional vehicle components needed to comply with the new Euro VI emission standards.

Econic drivers and crew will really appreciate the new cab with its time-tried low entry and the unusually spacious working area it provides. The completely revised cockpit with its new multifunction steering wheel allowing the instrument cluster display and the radio to be reached even more easily, as well as the switches which can be individually assigned and placed, give the driver the best working conditions.

The relocation of the parking brake and transmission controls at the same height as the steering wheel makes them easier to use, safer and more ergonomic. There is more stowage space with the lockable stowage compartments over the passenger seats and the cup holder integrated in the central console. Behind the passenger seats there is also more space for storing up to three bottles.

Other highlights in the cab are the new arrangement of the air vents and the electric sunblind which give the cab a much better working atmosphere in combination with the better insulation of the cab and engine tunnel, and of course, obviously, the low entry with the fully-glazed bi fold door on the side away from the traffic.

Reduction of emissions and particulate matter about 90 percent in comparison with Euro V

The European emission standards Euro VI really mean no less than a reduction of emissions and particulate matter by a total of 90 percent in comparison with Euro V. An important role on the way there has been played by the design of the greatly improved cooling system which deals efficiently with the additional cooling needed by the exhaust gas recirculation. In addition to the exhaust gas recirculation within the engine, the exhaust gas is cleaned by the closed particulate matter filter, AdBlue injection and the SCR catalytic converter. The BlueTec 6 filter systems are integrated in an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit with automatic electronic controls which regulate the cleaning of the exhaust gas with a multitude of engine and work parameters as required.

Up to four percent savings in fuel consumption

Just as with its volume-manufactured opposite numbers from Atego to Actros, Mercedes-Benz has also succeeded with the technological feat of using less fuel despite the greater energy and costs needed for cleaning the exhaust gas. Up to four percent fuel savings and up to 40 percent less AdBlue is the result. With its greater reliability and longer service intervals the repair and maintenance costs are also reduced, making the Econic more cost-effective than ever.

Two six-cylinder, 7.7 l OM 936 LA engines are used in the Econic with a basic output of 220 kW (299 hp) and a peak performance of 260 kW (354 hp). The new in-line engines deserve best marks in their class straightaway for all aspects. Construction features such as the cam shaft with shrunk on cam, forged and bolted conrod as well as a crankshaft designed for the greatest rigidity make it quite clear: these engines have been designed for a long, successful and efficient working life.

More output with lower rpm

The engine has been tuned exactly for the demanding work done by the Econic with top rpm of 1200 Nm or 1400 Nm. To sum up: the engines supply greater output with lower rpm. The modern Econic Euro VI engines also achieve very good results for their braking performance with the engine brake. 235 kW/2500 min braking power is available thanks to a double paced decompression engine brake. When the new standard engine brake is used, there will be less wear on the brake linings of the disc brakes installed on all axles and the temperature will also be clearly reduced.

Automatic transmission with new Eco-software

One great challenge to engine and transmission during the day-to-day work of the Econic is the stop-and-go traffic encountered in inner cities. That is why the Econic drivetrain also includes the six-gear automatic Allison transmission used up to now – and there could hardly be a more pleasant way of winding one’s way through dense city traffic. The automatic transmission also proves its ability for instance during the frequent stops and starts, e.g. for waste collection. The new generation Econic has been given the transmission fitted with Eco-software which saves fuel and gives a more comfortable ride.

The new Econic with gas-driven engine

Mercedes-Benz regards sustainability and conservation of resources as having a firm place in the company philosophy. Since 2002 and with more than a thousand vehicles, the Econic NGT has been operating successfully in many different countries. Whether it is fuelled with natural fossil gas or regenerative biogas, the Econic complies with the required emission standards on all counts and helps to make congested inner cities cleaner and more environmentally friendly. This is why Mercedes‑Benz is working on more advanced designs for the gas engine based on the new state-of-the-art generation of engine to comply with Euro VI emission standards.

Successful model with a great variety of versions

Initially the Econic will be supplied with 4x2, 6x4 and 6x2/4 axle configurations, with electro hydraulically progressive steered leading and trailed axles in the permitted gross vehicle weights 18 and 26 tonnes. As an option, it is possible to order specially customised vehicles tailored to the customer’s requirements. The two and three-axle versions are also available with various wheelbases – from compact and manoeuvrable with a length of 3450 mm up to 5700 mm. The cab is also available with two different heights: high (1745 mm interior height) and low (1295 mm). The heart of the Econic concept – since its introduction in 1998 more than 12,500 units have been produced – is the ergonomic low entry and very spacious cab with a one-step entry. This is a great improvement in working conditions, and also health wise, for any job where driver and crew have to leave the cab frequently. The Econic concept is long since a synonym for vehicles used for collection and delivery services.

Econic chassis: Versatile and with good body-mounting features

As the Econic can provide very different individual solutions for a wide number of different sectors, the current alterations to the chassis are of great importance for the body building industry. For instance, the Econic is used by Local Authorities for waste collection or sweeping vehicles, by delivery companies for food and drinks, as well as by fire services with a turntable ladder or as an auxiliary fire-extinguishing vehicle. In addition, the Econic is also used successfully as a tank or catering vehicle at airports. Uninterrupted hole-patterns in the side supports allow the position of the rear cross member of the chassis to be adjusted, and together with the new arrangement for the power units behind the cab makes mounting bodies easier and provides more space. And on top of that, the allowed weight for the front axle has been increased to eight tonnes.

Safety is very important for the new Econic

Time-tried and central parts of the Econic safety concept such as the low and easy entry and exit, the air suspension (which helps to keep the crew healthy), the large panoramic windscreen with its mirror system as well as the fully-glazed electro pneumatically operated bi-fold door on the passenger side away from the traffic all help to contribute both to the safety of the crew as well of other traffic and passers-by. The stability control system (ESP), introduced at an earlier date than legally required, makes the new Econic safer just like the electro pneumatic brake. These systems now supplement the existing anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the acceleration skid control (ASR) which play a central role in the Econic safety concept.

The Econic is also looked after perfectly as far as servicing, trouble diagnosis or repairs are concerned as Mercedes-Benz has over 1800 service stations in more than 130 countries to make sure that if need be the vehicles will be taken care of and kept in top condition. Special service packages and financial services round off the customer care.

To sum up, it is clear that the new Econic is setting new standards as far as economic efficiency, environmental acceptability, ergonomics and safety are concerned.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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The new Mercedes-Benz Unimog and Econic: Cleaner, more efficient, more powerful - Strong new image for globally unique concepts

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World premieres from Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: A Unimog product range with ten new models at one go – from the Unimog U 216 to the Unimog U 5024 – and 2 and 3-axle versions for the Econic low-entry specialists vehicle introduce the era of Euro VI engines also for special vehicles. All this is combined with an appreciable increase in performance, efficiency and easy operation. Despite the challenges arising from the Euro VI emission standards involving additional components and an increased volume of 120 litres, it has been possible to retain and improve the concept advantages of the two vehicle product ranges.

As the new Europe-wide Euro VI emission standards will be valid from 1 January 2014, Mercedes-Benz is rounding off its range of commercial vehicles including the Atego, Antos, Arocs and Actros by launching the two special vehicle product ranges Unimog and Econic to comply with the new regulations. The new engines have up to 90 percent fewer exhaust gas and particulate matter emissions than those used up to now.

New structures for the Unimog product range

In the new set-up for the Unimog implement carriers, the Unimog U 216 and U 218 replace the previous Unimog U 20 as compact entry-level models and are getting closer to the versions with stronger engines now known as U 318, U 423, U 430, U 527 and U 530. Here the first number denotes the size (for instance 4 corresponds to the current Unimog U 400), the following two numbers stand for the first two numbers of horse-power performance, for example 23 for 230 hp. They are all being launched with, amongst other things, a completely redesigned panoramic cab, new work and power hydraulics systems as well as synergetic traction drive which allows changing over from manual transmission to hydrostatic transmission while driving and all of these innovations make an appreciable difference to the efficiency of the Unimog. The extremely mobile off-road Unimog U 4000 und U 5000 have also been given a more advanced design in important details and are now known under the reference numbers U 4023 and U 5023.

For the Econic – the 2 and 3-axle chassis versions now as 4x2, 6x4 and 6x2/4 with electronically steered forward and trailing axles – the concept of the low-entry cab has now been given more potential with a great number of important ergonomic innovations. In addition, it is clearly more cost-effective as it has reduced its fuel consumption and repair and maintenance costs. However the payload remains the same despite the Euro VI.

Facing the future efficiently with BlueEfficiency Power

Two BlueEfficiency Power model series engines with radically new designs ensure that the Unimog complies with Euro VI emission standards and is also much more efficient especially when using implements as here greater output is available. The Econic has also been given two engines from this generation: engine types OM 934 and OM 936 with three 4-cylinder and two 6-cylinder versions and performances ranging from 115 kW (156 hp) to 260 kW (354 hp) with cubic capacities of 5.1 litres and 7.7 litres. The state-of-the-art drive units combine low fuel consumption with extremely clean exhaust gas and ensure that the Unimog is on the road altogether more efficiently despite the great amount of effort invested in its construction to ensure that it complies with Euro VI. For the Econic it has been possible to achieve up to four percent lower fuel consumption. The engines - already successfully used in the Antos and Atego - are very convincing with their improved output and torque and clearly increased acceleration over the whole transmission range. Despite the Euro VI the fuel consumption of the Unimog has also been reduced.

High-tech drive units from a state-of-the-art engine generation

The new solenoid injectors with ten-hole jets provide the best possible injection for every working situation. These new, long-stroke engines with cooled exhaust gas recirculation and a specific engine output of up to 33.8 kW/l (46 hp/l) are among the most effective diesel units. The new 5.1 litre 4-cylinder version also produces a convincing top torque of 650 Nm for the entry-level model Unimog U 216 with 115 kW (156 hp) which remains constant over the whole of the main transmission range from 1200 to 1600 rpm.

The six-cylinder gives a powerful performance

The performance spectrum of the big 7.7 litre in-line 6-cylinder OM 936 follows directly on the heels of the extremely compact four-cylinder version. It is used in both the U 427 and U 430 as well as the U 527 and U 530 and here for both versions with 200 kW (272 hp) or 220 kW (299 hp). This means that the Unimog has been given top-level motorisation. The best torque result lies at 1200 Nm for the 1200 to 1600 speed range. The Econic has been fitted with 6‑cylinder engines providing an output of 220 kW (299 hp) and 260 kW (354 hp).

Economy of space on compact chassis

Great importance was also attached to economy of space when complying with the exhaust gas cleaning standards required by Euro VI which comes into force on 1 January 2014. This was a task which faced the designers with demanding challenges considering the compact chassis of the Unimog vehicles and also the low-entry concept of the Econic. In addition to the recirculation of the exhaust gas inside the engine, cleaning the exhaust gas also involves a system comprising the oxidation catalytic converter, a closed particulate matter filter, AdBlue injection and an SCR catalytic converter connected in a series.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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