It's no secret that Biglorryblog is abig fan of the Mercedes Econic, in all its various guises including this smart-looking urban tractor. It's one of a number of natural-gas powered 1828 Econics that's been running in a operator trials since the beginning of 2008. Or so Allison tells me 'cos the Econic artic also happens to have an Allison 3000 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard That's it pictured below). So you'll not be surpised to learn that, not only does the NGT tractor have lower emissions but Allison also says: "....the helical gears and the continuous power shifting of the transmission significantly reduces noise, which is an enormous benefit particularly in the supply of shops in inner cities early in the morning."
Apparently the first vehicles are in use in distribution and city logistics at the Dutch forwarder Harry Vos and the supermarket chain Tesco in London--which is news to me (well at least the Tesco bit anyway although on second thoughts it strikes me that they're using rigids not mini-artics). Anyway here are some pictures of the Vos Econic artic with its high-roof sleeper at last year's RAI Show in Amsterdam...
It really is quite an unusual looking beast with a low height Econic day cab and sleeper pod on top.
And here are the NG/LPG (it can run on either) tanks on the chassis..now click through here for a shot of it on the road!
As you can see it's a neat package with a 4.0m curtainsider behind it. I've beeen trying to get a drive of it but so far without success. But I'll keep on trying!
Comments (1)
The latest in urban delivery trucks but some things never change. Our driver is there to hand unloading and hump goods to the store using a hand trolley.
Posted by Peter Lynch | October 1, 2008 9:47 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 09:47