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Small Mercedes vans are very quiet

28th July 1972, Page 33
28th July 1972
Page 33
Page 33, 28th July 1972 — Small Mercedes vans are very quiet
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Gibb Grace

I After an introduction at the :ommercial Motor Show, two light vans re to be marketed in the UK by elercedes-Benz (GB) Ltd.

They are of an established Hannomag esign but, under a rationalization scheme, re to be sold in this country fitted with the 4ercedes-Benz 2.2-litre 0M615 engine .nder the Mercedes-Benz name. Both :lodes are of front engine, front-wheel drive Lesign, having the engine ahead of the front .xle and the gearbox behind it. Front and ear axles have independent torsion bar uspension.

These vehicles, which are additional to he heavier Transporter range (models -406D and L408) are known as the ight-duty Transporter range designated -206D and L306D.

In the Mercedes-Benz model numbering ,ystem the first figure, eg 2, 3. 4, denotes the tpproximate gvw in tons and the last two lenote engine bhp; 06 represents 60, 08 'epresents 80 and so on. D denotes diesel. hese two latest introductions have, then, ri/v/ of approximately 2 and 3 tons and myloads of one and one and a half tons 'espectively.

During a short drive in a laden L306D I as very impressed by the low noise level of he 2.2-litre diesel engine. This unit was riginally designed to power taxis and rivate cars and continued refinement has rought it to a stage when it has virtually 'cached petrol engine noise levels. In 3ermany the one millionth car to be built vith this engine has recently been produced.

The L206D will be available in 94.5 and 115.0in. wheethases at 2.70 tons gvw; the -306D comes in 115.0, 138.0 and 143.0in. vheelbases at 3.30 tons gvw. The L306D, wen with a diesel engine, has an unladen weight of less than 30ewt which means it does not have to be annually plated and also grosses less than 3.50 tons, so the owner does not need an operator's licence.

Smoke tests • All Mercedes-Benz heavy truck engines have now passed the British Standard AU 141a: 1971 performance and smoke tests, it was announced this week.

The 10.8-litre OM 346 engine fitted in the LS and LPS 1418 chassis with a gross power of 210 bhp, delivers 192 bhp under Standard conditions. The same figures for the 11.6-litre OM 355 engine used in LP and LPS 1924 chassis are 265 bhp and 240 bhp. Under BS conditions the 1418 range is capable of operation at 32 tons gross operation and 1924 models are suitable for use at 40 tons gross.

More cv for Armed Services

• The Armed Services will in future buy more commercial types of vehicle whenever possible, instead of developing vehicles specifically for military use.

Announcing this in the Commons, Mr Ian Gilmour, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, added that more regard would also be paid to the whole life-cost of the vehicle.

He gave an assurance that the Defence Department would consider buying foreign vehicles only when no suitable British vehicle existed.


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