Archive, Product News

Local-focused upgrades for Mercedes-Benz Econic

Mercedes-Benz has announced customer-driven local upgrades to its Econic

Mercedes-Benz says the city-friendly truck has been improved with beefed-up airconditioning, better driver access and a new advanced safety feature called Sideguard Assist.

Mercedes-Benz offers the Econic as a traditional single control model as well as a developed-for-Australia dual control version, which features two steering boxes.

Both Econic models now feature considerably more potent airconditioning systems, with between 8.5kW and 10kW of power depending on the model, better suiting the Econic to the extreme heat of an Australian summer.

“Our Australian operators identified a way that we could further improve this brilliant truck and we listened,” says Andrew Assimo, director of Mercedes-Benz truck and bus Australia. 

“The Econic has a raft of advantages over competitor trucks including ease of access, class-leading safety and remarkable vision. Now the more powerful airconditioning will help ensure optimum driver comfort in any conditions,” he adds. 

Mercedes-Benz is also spruiking its safety tech with Sideguard Assist which uses radar technology to ‘see’ down the left side of the truck and advise the driver if any vehicles, other objects or pedestrians, could be in the path of the vehicle as it turns left or changes lanes, with this feature available on select Econic models. 

Also available on the Econic is Lane Keeping Assist and a radar-based system that can automatically brake the vehicle even if the driver fails to respond to a potential impact. The latest generation of Active Brake Assist can even brake when it senses moving pedestrians.

For the Econic, Mercedes-Benz says safety was a core concern from the start of the development process with its design providing the driver with direct vision of other road users, and clear sight of pedestrians. The Econic’s panoramic glass windscreen, in addition to large side windows, is a critical feature given the high-density areas with high levels of foot traffic, in which they operate.

Some interior repackaging in the dual control Econic has freed up some more cabin space, making it easier to move through the area.


RELATED ARTICLE: ACTROS A WORTHY TRIBUTE TO TOM NORTON


Mercedes-Benz has also improved ingress and egress for the driver of the dual control Econic, with a door that opens a further 15 degrees over the current dual control door. The single control Econic features a bus-style super low entry door for even easier driver access.

For the dual control Econic Mercedes-Benz has employed two separate steering boxes, instead of the more common rod-linked system, with key control items in the dual control Econic duplicated, including the gearshift levers and handbrakes, to ensure the driver is in full command all the time.

The Econic features a 7.7-litre six-cylinder engine that meets the strict Euro 6 emission ratings and lower noise requirements and generates up to 260kW.

The engine is linked to an Allison 3000P six-speed torque convertor automatic transmission and is available with an optional factory retarder, but Mercedes-Benz says feedback from customers is that the Econic’s engine brake provides ample braking power.

Both single and dual control Econic models come standard with air suspension for the front and rear axles, which Mercedes-Benz claims not only help with ride comfort and provide indicative weight measurements for the driver, but can also assist when unloading (for particular models). Access to bumpy sites is also helped thanks to the ability to lift the front end of the Econic and increase the clearance height by 160mm.

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend