The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Technisches Hilfswerk, or THW) is set to receive new Mercedes-Benz emergency service vehicles as part of an extensive procurement program. Several new vehicles were handed over to the THW in a symbolic gesture at Interschutz 2010, the leading international exhibition for fire prevention and disaster relief.
Sprinters deployed as crew trucks
For the first time in history, the THW has purchased a new model of the closed crew truck in van size. The vehicle, known as the MLW V in the trade, is based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI panel van which is just under seven metres in length. The first vehicle was officially presented by Michael Dietz, Director of Public Authority, Direct Account and Special-Purpose Vehicles for Mercedes-Benz Sales Germany to the President of the THW, Albrecht Broemme, on the occasion of the Interschutz exhibition in Leipzig.. Dietz reminded his listeners of procurements made in previous years and then brought them round to the current models, which would represent a significant modernisation of the THW fleet. With the MLW V, the THW is taking a new vehicle model into service, which is to be deployed as a universal base model in various technical units. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI, with a GVW of 3500 kilograms, is powered by a high-torque common-rail diesel engine (Euro 5) with 120 kW/163 hp. Mosolf, an established partner on van collaborations based in Kippenheim in Baden, is building the emergency service vehicle bodies for the THW.
The vehicle has five seats for THW crew members and a load compartment which is accessible through the rear doors. It has been equipped with a Sortimo shelving system and allows the safe storage of each technical unit’s specific loads. The purchasers working for the THW set great store on high-quality fittings for securing loads. Folding shelves with tie-down hooks and floor-mounted securing rails enable loads to be secured perfectly. The rear doors, which open out to 270°, make loading with a fork-lift truck possible; there is space for up to three Europallets in the load compartment. Alternatively, using two drive-on ramps which are stored in a convenient space-saving manner on the inside of one of the rear doors, rollboys or a mobile workbench can be loaded, too. It is intended to put the MLW V into service for the infrastructure, logistics, blasting and drinking-water technical units of the THW. The first MLW V vehicle is being taken into service by the Bautzen (Saxony) section of the THW and will be used there by the blasting technical unit.
Axors as equipment vehicles
In the THW organisation, the GKW 1 equipment vehicles are viewed quite simply as the work horses. They are deployed in the technical platoons of all the 688 THW sections throughout Germany. The THW ordered the latest‑generation GKW 1 based, for the first time, on the Mercedes-Benz Axor. The first vehicles were recently handed over to the THW. The vehicle will in future give valuable service to the Marktredwitz (Bavaria) section of the THW.
The new equipment vehicles based on the Mercedes-Benz Axor 1829 A (210 kW/286 hp) have all-wheel drive, single tyres and Allison automatic transmission. The crew cabin and special-purpose body are manufactured by Rosenbauer Feuerwehrtechnik, based in Luckenwalde in Brandenburg. The first eleven vehicles were handed over there at the end of March. A further 43 GKW 1s are to be delivered this summer; there is an option to deliver a further 139 vehicles. The GKW 1 special-purpose body, which is based on an aluminium frame, can carry an extensive technical load as required for rescue operations, lifting and moving rubble and building components, and erecting support and auxiliary structures. In addition, a cable winch manufactured by HPC has been fitted, with forward tractive force of 50 kN and backward tractive force of 100 kN.
As in the passenger car segment, starting right now Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models which, owing to particularly sustainable technologies, stand for highest efficiency, and thus for improved fuel consumption and consequently reduced emissions, also will carry the BlueEFFICIENCY label.
The efficiency package or the NGT technology in the Sprinter are examples of this. These Sprinter models are identified by the BlueEFFICIENCY badges affixed to the sides in the area of the left and right B-pillars.
Efficiency package: new engines, new transmission and other components
BlueEFFICIENCY stands in this case for an efficiency package comprising the newly developed four-cylinder engine (OM 651) and the new transmission (ECO Gear) plus the ECO start/stop function.
New diesel engine generation: first-rate performance
Highest efficiency characterises the new diesel engines of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The centre of attention is the new four-cylinder CDI. Its three output ratings of 70 kW (95 hp), 95 kW (129 hp) and 120 kW (163 hp) cover almost all the demands on vans in the Sprinter class. The four-cylinder gets very respectable pulling power with torque of 250 Nm, 305 Nm and 360 Nm. Remarkable: the peak torque already is available at an extremely low engine speed.
On-demand control of the auxiliary units saves fuel
The Sprinter efficiency package also includes auxiliaries with on-demand control – something new in the van sector. The electrically switched oil pump regulates its delivery independently and adaptively – for the first time on a diesel engine. The piston-cooling oil spray nozzles also operate according to need, and the alternator too operates only when it is needed. The effect is that the mentioned components – unlike conventional units – only consume energy when they actually need it.
The new transmission cuts consumption, enhances dynamics
The efficiency package includes the new ECO Gear six-speed manual transmission designed specifically for vans. Its outstanding feature is a particularly large ratio between first and top gear with a low-geared 1st gear and a 6th gear designed as an overdrive.
Generally speaking, with the new transmission the engine speed level is distinctly reduced in favour of lower consumption and the resultant greater economy. This goes hand in hand with lower exhaust and noise emissions and enhanced ride comfort.
ECO start/stop function: engine off at every stop saves up to eight percent fuel
The efficiency package under the BlueEFFICIENCY logo also includes the ECO start/stop function: if the vehicle is standing at idling speed, the engine is automatically shut off. The savings potential is nothing to sneeze at: on average, the Sprinter with ECO start/stop function makes do with up to eight percent less fuel in urban operation. At the same time, noise emission is reduced by cutting out the engine.
The ECO start/stop function brings its savings potential to bear mainly in city driving, and here in particular during the frequent waits in tailbacks or at red lights. As soon as the vehicle stops for at least three seconds without a gear being engaged, the ECO start/stop function shuts down the engine. When the driver steps on the clutch pedal or releases the brake so that the vehicle begins to roll, the engine is promptly restarted.
Environmentally friendly, safe and comfortable all in one
Sophisticated electronics provide for safety: if the vehicle begins to roll the engine is immediately started to ensure power assistance for the brakes and steering. Also, with a gear engaged the engine only starts running if the clutch pedal is fully depressed. To prevent cold starts and engine overheating, the system operates exclusively at coolant temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees Celsius.
The Sprinter NGT: another BlueEFFICIENCY technology
Starting immediately the Sprinter NGT also proudly wears the “BlueEFFICIENCY” badge on both wings.
Both clean and economical, the vehicle drive system fuelled with natural gas unites opposites. The new Sprinter NGT with mono-fuel or bi-fuel natural gas drive confirms this assessment: sharply reduced exhaust gas and noise emissions, appreciably lower upkeep costs, and a large cruising range in combination with the standard drive are some of its advantages.
Mercedes-Benz offers the Sprinter 316 NGT and 516 NGT in different body variants. The basic engine, a four-cylinder petrol unit, develops 115 kW (156 hp) and torque of 240 Nm.
Both BlueEFFICIENCY technologies for the Sprinter can be ordered starting immediately.