Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks has announced a significant upgrade to its Zetros series, unveiling a factory-protected driver’s cab for its robust off-road trucks, including the highly capable benz 6×6 truck variant. This enhancement, developed in collaboration with Rheinmetall, ensures superior crew protection against a range of threats without compromising the vehicle’s legendary off-road performance. The armored Zetros 6×6 will make its debut at the Eurosatory trade fair in Paris from June 17th to 21st, 2024, marking a new era for protected logistics and support vehicles.
Armored Benz 6×6 Truck Solutions Directly from Mercedes-Benz
The integration of a protected driver’s cab directly from the factory represents a major advantage for customers seeking armored off-road vehicles. Previously, while Mercedes-Benz manufactured the base Zetros trucks in Wörth, the integration of armored cabs was typically handled by third-party partners. Now, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks takes full responsibility for the entire vehicle, including the protected cab on specific projects. Rheinmetall, a renowned specialist in defense and security technology, serves as the development partner and supplier for these advanced cabs.
This streamlined approach ensures customers receive complete, integrated vehicle solutions with factory-backed protection from a single, trusted source. As a division of Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks brings unparalleled reliability, production capacity, and long-term service and spare parts availability to the protected vehicle market. This single-source responsibility simplifies procurement, maintenance, and support for operators of these specialized vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks also maintains flexibility by continuing to collaborate with bodybuilder partners and OEMs for protected variants, depending on specific project requirements.
Expanding Protected Options Across the Zetros Range: Including 4×4 to 8×8 Models
Initially available for the three-axle benz 6×6 truck Zetros, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will progressively extend the factory-protected cab option to the entire Zetros product range, encompassing models from the two-axle 4×4 to the four-axle 8×8. Production of these expanded protected variants is slated to begin at the Wörth truck plant from 2025.
The Zetros’s distinctive cab-behind-engine design ( COE configuration) offers inherent advantages for integrating protected cabs, particularly in off-road scenarios. Positioning the cab behind the front axle strategically distributes the weight of the armor. This design mitigates front axle overload, which is a common concern with heavily armored vehicles navigating challenging terrains. This balanced weight distribution is crucial for maintaining optimal off-road mobility and handling for the benz 6×6 truck and other Zetros variants.
The development of the Zetros protected cab prioritized not only crew safety but also ergonomics and visibility. The cab is designed to comfortably accommodate up to three occupants on air-sprung seats equipped with four-point seat belts. A large, one-piece windshield provides a wide field of vision, crucial for situational awareness in demanding environments. Furthermore, the protected cab incorporates versatile attachment points for integrating additional equipment, enhancing its operational flexibility. To ensure ease of maintenance and parts availability, the protected cab design utilizes as many components as possible common to the standard, unprotected Zetros cab, promoting interchangeability within mixed fleets.
Zetros: The Ultimate Off-Road Platform for Heavy-Duty Tasks
The Mercedes-Benz Zetros series, including the benz 6×6 truck, is renowned as a specialist platform for heavy-duty transport tasks in the most challenging off-road conditions. The cab-behind-engine design contributes to a quieter and more comfortable ride, even in extreme terrains, protecting both crew and cargo. The hood’s independent opening mechanism provides easy access to the engine compartment for servicing and repairs, without requiring the entire cab to be tilted forward, maintaining the crew’s protected space during maintenance operations.
Powering all Zetros models is the robust OM 460 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, delivering up to 375 kW / 510 hp and a formidable maximum torque of 2,300 Nm from its 12.8-liter displacement. Matched with a 16-speed gearbox or optional Allison automatic torque converter, a two-stage transfer case, selectable differential locks, and optimized approach, departure, and ramp angles, the Zetros ensures exceptional traction and propulsion across mud, rivers, and steep inclines. Permissible gross vehicle weights range from 16.5 to 40 tons, and as a tractor unit, the Zetros can handle gross combination weights up to 120 tons, making it adaptable to a vast spectrum of transport applications.
At Eurosatory, the showcased Zetros with a protected cab features a self-sealing tank body from Lindner & Fischer, developed in collaboration with WEW Westerwälder Eisenwerk GmbH. This innovative tank technology automatically seals leaks, enhancing safety and operational resilience. The tank body is mounted on an interchangeable frame with twistlock fasteners, enabling rapid mounting and dismounting within minutes. Alongside the protected cab Zetros, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will also exhibit other models, including an Arocs 6×6 with a double winch, a Unimog U 5000, and the FGA chassis, demonstrating its comprehensive range of specialized vehicle solutions.
This new factory-protected cab option for the Mercedes-Benz Zetros benz 6×6 truck and the wider Zetros range solidifies its position as a leading choice for demanding applications requiring both exceptional off-road performance and enhanced crew protection.
