71 MERCEDESBENZ

22nd September 1972, Page 130

22nd September 1972

Page 130

Page 130, 22nd September 1972 — 71 MERCEDESBENZ

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Mercedes-Benz (Great Britain) Ltd, Commercial Vehicle Division, Chester Road, Boreham Wood, Herts.

The Mercedes-Benz stand at this year's Show is the biggest ever and examples of all Mercedes vehicles offered in the UK are represented. Many of the vehicles are seen for the first time in Britain, and one, the LPK 2419 24 tons gvw tipper chassis, is brand new.

Starting at the bottom end of the weight spectrum, making its debut in this country in right-hand form is the 206/306 range of Mercedes light vans. These are based on the well-established Hanomag design, but are now powered by the 2.2-litre Mercedes OM 615 diesel engine developing 60 bhp at 4200 rpm. A short wheelbase (7ft 10in.) L2O6D van, which has a 23cwt payload rating, is on show. Owing to the front-wheeldrive layout the floor height is only 17in. and body capacity is 226 cu ft.

A heavy-duty bonneted tipper, the LK 2624, is in the demonstration park and is on show for the first time in the UK. Power for this model is provided by the Mercedes OM 355 11.8-litre diesel which is certified to BS AU 141a: 1971 at an installed output of 240 bhp at 2200 rpm. Maximum torque is 600 lb ft at 1300 rpm. Although limited to 24 tons gvw on the road the LK 2624 can be operated at 30 tons gvw off road. The demonstration model is fitted with an Edbro scow-ended quarry body and matched tipping gear.

Of more general interest and featured on the stand is a brand new on/off road tipper, the LPK 2419. which has been specified by Mercedes-Benz managing director Peter Yates, and leading operators.

The LPK 2419 is a 24 tons gvw design and uses an OM 360 1 engine of 180 bhp IBS AU 141a: 1971 net) and a 2F 56-70/3 gearbox. Mercedes' very attractive and wellfinished forward control cab without sleeper compartment is used to give maximum usable body length.

The LPS 1924 two-axle tractive unit is being shown for the first time in the UK. This model has a 9ft 10in, wheelbase and is powered by the same OM 355 engine as the LK 2624 tipper. For the British market special low-camber springs are fitted to bring dawn the height of the frame (and thus the fifthwheel coupling) by about 4in. to meet bridge clearance requirements for ISO containers. There is also an example of the L608D from the increasingly popular Transporter range.

Two Mercedes passenger vehicles are on display; the one on the stand is the wellestablished 0302 steel integral coach and the other and possibly more interesting exhibit, an LP0608, is on the demonstration park. This coach has a 29-seat executive body by Charterway Coachcraft and thus fits into the popular midi range.