Panther goes on the prowl
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• Austrian specialist vehicle manufacturer Rosenbauer has launched its 8x8 air-crash tender.
The Panther, seen on the MAN stand at the recent Hanover show, is based on an MAN 36.1000 VFAEG chassis. Power comes from a mighty MAN 22litre vee-12 charge-cooled diesel producing 735kW (990hp) at 2,30Orpm.
This is enough to propel the 36-tonner from 0-80km/h (50mph) in under 25sec and on to a maximum speed of 140km/h (87mph).
Drive is transmitted to all eight wheels through an electronically controlled automatic gearbox. Gradeability is a claimed 60%.
Beneath the stylish glass-fibre exterior, a second MAN diesel is mounted amidships. Developing 229kW (308hp) at 2,200rpm, this engine drives the pump supplying water and foam to the roof and front-mounted monitors. The Panther will carry between 10,000-14,000 litres of water, 1,000-2,000 litres of foaming agent and up to 500kg of powder.
The roof monitor can deliver up to 6,000 litres/min at 10 bar pressure, with a range of 80m. The front monitor will shift 2,500 lit/min also at 10 bar pressure, with a range of 60m. For self protection, the Panther has seven discharge nozzles mounted under the floor.
The cab has seating for three behind the central driving position. Panther boasts a memory programmable control and multifunctional VDU, mounted in the dashboard.
The monitor also has electronic learning capability. Smaller 4x4 and 6x6 versions of the Panther are also available.