Mercedes-Benz Zetros may go on sale

Mercedes-Benz has already produced one right-hand drive Zetros for a trial with the Australian Defence Force and is hoping it will be chosen for local military work. However, the company is looking at offering the extreme off-roader for non-military customers, even if the ADF overlooks the Zetros.

The senior manager of Daimler Trucks Australia, Joachim Heinke, tells Working Wheels that he wants to bring the Zetros here. "I intend to bring it in, but of course it is not certain," he says. "We are still having a look into it."

The Zetros was initially developed for military operations and is available as a 4x4 and 6x6 with gross weights of up to 18,000kg for the 4x4 and 27,000kg for the 6x6. Heinke says Australian engineers are still examining how the vehicle would be able to comply with local regulations, particularly government limitations of front axle weight.

If it gets the thumbs up, the Zetros would perform well in many industries that require all-terrain capability and a reasonably-large flat tray for load carrying.

"It would suit mining, especially as a support vehicle. As a utility it could be used for fire fighting, with a ladder, it could be used for maintaining power lines in difficult places and in the tourism industry as a tourist bus," Heinke says.

Mercedes will present the Zetros military truck at Melbourne's International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show next March and is keen to gauge interest from possible operators. The Zetros runs a 7.2-litre in-line turbo diesel which can produce up to 240kW (326hp) and 1300Nm of torque.

It is available with a nine-speed manual with eight forward gears (as well as a crawler cog). A fully automatic Allison six-speed is also available. All axles feature locking differentials for ultimate grip.

While Mercedes is known for its cab-over trucks, the engineers chose to opt for a bonneted set-up for the Zetros thanks to better control for the driver, simpler servicing and better in-cabin comfort on rough surfaces.