Midlands Truck & Van
Midlands Truck & Van

The Econic. Taking responsibility.

Towns are growing. As too are the demands placed on mobility, logistics, the environment and quality of life. Our answer to this is a commercial vehicle which is up to the challenge. It is powerful and efficient whilst also delivering the greatest possible safety for all road users. It delivers sustainable solutions to the growing emissions burden in urban areas and makes for optimum working conditions for driver and crew alike.

The Econic takes responsibility. With powerful powertrains, the bodybuilder-friendly truck offers decisively better safety with its unique DirectVision cab featuring panoramic glazing and clever assistance systems.With ergonomic entry and exiting, intuitively arranged instruments and, last but not least, the optionally available natural gas engine, you can enjoy unrestricted access to environmental zones. Looking to the future together.

Ergonomics and safety

 

Employee protection has been made number one priority thanks to the lower entry – not only is it ergonomic, it's also safe and gentle on the back and joints. The low entry with just two steps also makes work processes much quicker, especially when the task at hand requires plenty of frequent stops. The walk-through cab even allows the driver to conveniently enter and exit the cab from the traffic-free side of the road using the inward-opening folding door. That's not just practical, it also prevents accidents.

Advantages at a glance.

  • Low entry with just two steps
  • Entry and exit through the folding door on the side of the road furthest away from the traffic
  • Shock-absorbing full air suspension
  • The vehicle features a raising and lowering function on both axles
  • Depending on the intended field of work, either a high or a low cab height can be selected

 

The low-entry concept means that there are only two steps up into the cab, making getting in and out much easier and safer than in virtually any other commercial vehicle. On a busy working day, that means a lot less climbing up and down in the Econic compared with other trucks. Also good for the back and the joints is the full air suspension with raising and lowering function on all axles.

 

At eye level with other road users.

The Econic allows drivers to encounter other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, at eye level. The low seating position of the driver, the generously glazed cab and the additional safety assistance systems make for a great view of the road and pavements in all directions – and compared with regular trucks, that's a great advantage in busy inner cities and complex situations. This provides drivers with optimal support and ensures greater safety on the road.

Advantages at a glance.

  • DirectVision cab for greatest possible view
  • Low driver's seat position for direct eye contact
  • Glazed folding door which reaches down to the ground on co-driver's side ensures a clear view of pavements
  • Mirror system for extending the field of vision to cover the working area and blind spots

 

More than just a view: an overview.

In terms of anticipatory driving and prevention, the Econic is a decisive step ahead of conventional trucks. And that has to do with its low seating position and the panoramic glazing of the cab, plus the fact that the Econic can be equipped with as many as ten safety assistance systems. With the aid of cameras, sensors and additional lighting systems, the driver can concentrate on the most important tasks – even in situations which require utmost concentration: in lively city traffic, when turning, manoeuvring and reversing, or in the case of a tailback being just behind a blind bend.

Advantages at a glance.

  • Safety assistance systems are available which are fine-tuned to one another
  • Designed specifically for urban operations
  • Image and sensor-based systems complement each other logically
  • Relieving the driver in dangerous situations

 

Space for productivity.

Whatever you have planned to do with your Econic, its spacious cab offers great freedom of movement and its well-engineered design delivers the best possible working conditions. Depending on the field of operation, there's room for up to three passengers. Ideal for frequent stops: when pulling away, the folding door on the co-driver's side closes automatically. Depending on the field of operation, a hinged door can also be installed. Furthermore, you can choose between a high and a low cab height.

Great at multitasking.

The clear displays and intuitive instruments in the cockpit ensure that the driver quickly feels at home. The powerful premium engine brake is, for example, activated with ease using the right-hand steering-column lever. Radio, telephone and the instrument cluster can all be conveniently controlled using the multifunction steering wheel. Controls for the body can also be integrated with ease into the cockpit to ensure that the driver can directly control important functions from within the cab.

Everything is just as it should be.

Two lockable stowage compartments give the crew sufficient place to store items. Additional stowage compartments, as well as bottle holders and cupholders in the dashboard also provide space for personal belongings or tools.

Drive concept

Flexibility as standard.

The chassis has been designed to be particularly bodybuilder-friendly. Wheelbases from 3450 mm to 5700 mm, permissible gross weights of between 18 t and 32 t, a broad selection of axle variants and favourable positioning of major assemblies mean that the Econic is perfectly suited to a wide range of sectors and tasks.
Further advantages of the Econic are its modern, electrohydraulically steered leading or trailing axles and the height-adjustable full air suspension on all axles (-50 to +160 mm).

Advantages at a glance.

  • Bodybuilder-friendly low frame and space-saving low-floor concept
  • Permissible gross weight of 18 to 26 tonnes
  • Development and manufacture from a single source
  • Mercedes-Benz warranty and service
  • Qualified advice and support – including the supply of registration documents
  • Network of top-performing conversion partners

 

Diesel engine.
The modern 6-cylinder diesel engines fitted to the Econic come with either a basic output of 200 kW (272 hp) at 2200 rpm and a maximum torque of 1200 Nm between 1200 and 1600 rpm, or with a top performance of 260 kW (354 hp) at 2200 rpm and a maximum torque of 1400 Nm in the nominal engine speed range between 1200 and 1600 rpm.

Advantages at a glance.

  • Tried-and-tested OM 936 engines with 7.7-litre displacement
  • Particulate emissions and nitrous oxides reduced to a minimum
  • Powerful premium engine brake for greater braking effect and reduced brake wear

 

Comfortable shifting.

Intelligent transmission technologies ensure smooth and efficient driving.

Depending on the intended field of operations, you can order the Econic with either the fully automatic Allison 6-speed transmission, or the semi-automated PowerShift transmission.

Allison 6-speed automatic transmission.

With its intuitive shift logic, the Allison 6-speed automatic transmission is wear-free. And thus also relieves strain on the driver. The practical crawler function allows drivers to pull away precisely and it is almost as if it was made specifically for use in the waste disposal sector.

PowerShift.

The optional semi-automatic PowerShift transmission makes it possible to drive even more efficiently. The weight-optimised transmission with 12 forward gears and 4 reverse gears features specially adapted drive programs for use in urban traffic.

 

For the environment.

The Econic combines economic operations with respect for the environment in exemplary fashion. Besides the efficient Euro 6 diesel engines, the Econic is also available with an innovative natural gas drive system which offers both an extremely quiet and especially low-emission solution in a single package. Combustion of natural gas produces around 20 percent less CO2. This means you can enjoy unrestricted access to environmental zones. And using biogas even neutralises the CO2 balance sheet entirely. In doing so, the Econic brings a sense of responsibility to the road which people have come to expect of modern companies.

Area of application

The Econic combines economic operations with respect for the environment in exemplary fashion. Besides the efficient Euro 6 diesel engines, the Econic is also available with an innovative natural gas drive system which offers both an extremely quiet and especially low-emission solution in a single package. Combustion of natural gas produces around 20 percent less CO2. This means you can enjoy unrestricted access to environmental zones. And using biogas even neutralises the CO2 balance sheet entirely. In doing so, the Econic brings a sense of responsibility to the road which people have come to expect of modern companies.

The Econic in waste disposal.

Driving through the morning rush hour, turning into tight residential streets packed full of parked cars, rapid unloading of bins and containers, and then moving on to the next location. Waste disposal is an important aspect of the modern closed-loop economy. It is hard work and requires great care, attention and power. Which is why the Econic has been specifically designed to make life easier. Getting in and out is gentle on the back. The modern cockpit, innovative assistance systems and the expanded field of vision through the panoramic glazing and folding door make for both greater driving comfort and improved safety. And the cab has enough room for up to four people. No wonder then that experienced professionals value their new colleague so highly.

Advantages at a glance.

Thanks to the vast panoramic glazing, the driver has the traffic situation optimally in sight
Intelligent safety assistance systems provide support and facilitate day-to-day working routines
Driver and co-driver can comfortably enter and exit the cab with just a single step thanks to the low-entry concept
Cab floor allows movement around the cab as well as comfortable headroom, while the comfort suspension seat makes the working day as pleasant as possible

Modern short-radius distribution with the Econic.

Buying fresh fruit and vegetables in the organic shop, picking up the medicine you ordered on the same afternoon, riding your bike to your favourite restaurant. Life has picked up speed. As too has the need for short-radius distribution. And it doesn't just need to be clean, it should also be efficient and economic too. Not to mention safe. Especially because things are getting a little cramped on our roads. Here, the Econic can demonstrate the true qualities of its DirectVision cab. Allows you to keep an eye – and a hand – on the situation at all times. Impresses with sustainable drive solutions. And gets goods to their destination peacefully and punctually.
 

Advantages at a glance.

  • Equipped with a gas engine, the Econic drives especially quietly
  • The optimal direct vision from the driver's cab helps avoid accidents
  • Intelligent safety assistance systems also help relieve strain on the driver

 

The Econic in fire-fighting applications.

When the fire bell rings, every second counts. That's why every single movement of your crew has to be spot-on. The Econic makes sure that no precious time is lost. Just two small steps make for easy entering and exiting of the cab. The Allison automatic transmission saves time shifting and offers utmost driving comfort. When manoeuvring through lively city traffic and streets full of parked cars, the driver's low seating position and all-round glazing mean that they constantly have a great overview of the situation at hand. This ensures the greatest possible level of safety and speed when things start heating up.

Advantages at a glance.

  • Even passages and tunnels with low headroom are mastered by the Econic with ease in conjunction with the low cab height variant. Despite its dimensions, it offers plenty of space for high bodies
  • The low entry and wide-opening doors allow teams to gain access and leave the vehicle rapidly

 

The Econic on construction sites.

Our cities are growing. The world over. The Econic is on-hand day in, day out. And it already meets tomorrow's safety standards today. Because that's the reason it was designed like it was. From the panoramic windscreen to the glazed folding door on the co-driver's side which reaches down to the ground: the direct view of the traffic and the construction site is almost unhindered. Something which cyclists and pedestrians will be grateful of. After all, it's much better to see them and avoid getting into danger in the first place.

Advantages at a glance.

For the transport of construction site materials in inner-city areas, the Econic offers an excellent view of the traffic situation
Intelligent safety assistance systems support drivers in their daily work

 

The Econic at the airport.

Many passengers, thousands of flights and innumerable processes, all of which must be perfectly intertwined with one another: flight operations are a real logistic challenge. The Econic fits perfectly into the ground support team.

The low cab can fit under the vast majority of aircraft wings, ranging from the Boeing 737 to the Airbus A380. Positioning the major assemblies behind the cab creates a vehicle which is extremely bodybuilder-friendly. And it's precisely this that makes the Econic such a multi-talent. Refuelling, catering or with a scissor-type medical lift to provide assistance to wheelchair users and passengers who must be transported in a lying position. Taking an alternative route, prioritising certain flights, or a change to the planned parking position – ensuring the success of airlines above the clouds needs rapid solutions on the ground. Thanks to the standard automatic transmission, drivers can concentrate wholly on their surroundings. Meanwhile, the panoramic glazing also allows the driver to keep everything well in sight. Aeroplanes, ground handling vehicles, employees. It's a professional among professionals.
 

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