Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is expanding its renowned Zetros series, announcing that its off-road behemoths will now be available with factory-integrated protected driver cabs. This significant enhancement, developed in partnership with Rheinmetall, ensures a new level of security for the three-axle, all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck and will extend to other models in the Zetros range. The armored Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 will make its debut at the Eurosatory trade fair in Paris from June 17 to 21, 2024.
Armored Off-Road Capability from a Single Source
The newly integrated protected driver’s cab is engineered to shield occupants from ballistic threats, mines, and improvised explosive devices, without compromising the exceptional off-road performance synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck. Previously, armoring was typically added post-production by third-party companies. Now, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is taking direct responsibility for integrating the protected cab into the Zetros Gen2 for specific projects, streamlining the process and ensuring quality control from the factory floor in Wörth. Rheinmetall, a leading name in defense and automotive solutions, serves as the development partner and supplier for these advanced cabs.
This factory integration provides customers with a complete, protected vehicle solution directly from Mercedes-Benz. As a specialized division of Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks guarantees high reliability, robust production capacity, and long-term service and spare parts availability for these specialized vehicles. For projects requiring further customization, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will continue to collaborate with established bodybuilder partners and OEMs for protected variants, offering flexibility to meet diverse customer needs.
Expanding Protected Options Across the Zetros Series
Following the initial launch of the protected cab for the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck, Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks plans to extend this option across the entire Zetros product range, from the 4×4 to the 8×8 variants, starting in 2025. The Zetros’s distinctive cab-behind-engine design offers a crucial advantage for protected vehicles. By positioning the cab behind the front axle, the considerable weight of the armoring is distributed more evenly across the axles, preventing front axle overload, especially when navigating challenging terrains. This is a critical factor in maintaining the superior off-road capabilities of the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck and its siblings.
The development of the Zetros protected cab prioritized safety, ergonomics, and optimal visibility. The cab comfortably accommodates up to three occupants on air-sprung seats equipped with four-point seat belts. A large, single-piece windshield provides a wide field of vision, essential for situational awareness in demanding environments. Furthermore, the cab incorporates variable attachment points for integrating additional equipment, enhancing its versatility. To ensure efficient maintenance and parts availability, the protected cab design utilizes as many identical components as possible with the standard Zetros cab, promoting interchangeability within mixed fleets.
Zetros: The Ultimate Off-Road Truck for Heavy-Duty Missions
Across all variants, the Mercedes-Benz Zetros delivers a relatively quiet and comfortable driving experience, even in extreme off-road conditions, thanks to its cab-behind-engine configuration. This design protects both crew and cargo effectively. The hood, which opens independently of the cab, provides easy access to the engine compartment for servicing and repairs, without requiring the entire cab to be tilted forward, maintaining the protected space for the occupants.
Powering the Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck is the robust OM 460 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, delivering up to 375 kW / 510 hp and a maximum torque of 2,300 Nm from its 12.8-liter displacement. Combined with a 16-speed gearbox or optional Allison automatic torque converter, a two-stage transfer case, selectable differential locks, and impressive slope 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 for a wide spectrum of heavy-duty transport tasks and specialized body solutions.
The Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6 truck with a protected cab is currently being showcased at Eurosatory 2024. The displayed model features a self-sealing tank body from Lindner & Fischer, developed in collaboration with WEW Westerwälder Eisenwerk GmbH. This innovative tank is designed to automatically seal leaks, enhancing operational resilience. The tank body is mounted using an interchangeable frame with twistlock fasteners, enabling rapid mounting and dismounting in minutes. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks is also presenting other Zetros models at Eurosatory, alongside an Arocs 6×6 with a double winch, a Unimog U 5000, and the FGA chassis, highlighting the breadth of their specialized vehicle offerings.
