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MD's $2000 breaks cover
Page 16
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DVD SHOW EXTRA
• By Corn Barnett During the show itself, health and safety issues limited the actual driving opportunities available. However, a considerable amount of arm-twisting saw Commercial Motor invited back to Millbrook's recently extended off-road facility the day after the show to try out DaimlerChrysler's latest military products before they were taken back to Germany—something of a privilege, as no other journalist has yet driven the 82000.
We began by taking the Atego 1323A around the course on a familiarisation run. Apart from a few extra controls and an instrument panel blackout screen (not forgetting the roof-top gun hatch), the 4x4 Atego was remarkably similar to the road-going version. The G85 transmission is a simple six-speeder with crawler, a two-speed transfer box and inter and cross-axle diff locks. With 230hp on tap and a highly-manoeuvrable chassis, the Atego proved a surprisingly competent off-reader for a vehicle that is perfectly civilised on tarmac.
But the real reason for our visit to Millbrook was to try the all-new 82000 4x4, DaimlerChrysler's contender for the huge British military contract currently up for grabs. The rationale behind the S2000 is to use as many existing ingredients as possible from the extensive global parts bin, only using purposebuilt components to avoid compromise. Hence the Actros-based chassis and drive-line components have been mated to the specially designed cab. The cab, a crucial part of the 82000 concept, is provided by the UK's Mayflower concern (CM13-20 March) but despite being custom made, is designed around some existing parts.
The doors, for example, are from the latest Unimog, while the dash and various interior trim parts are from the Atego. For anyone who's been in a current military transport vehicle, the interior of the S2000 is surprisingly plush. This is no coincidence in light of the fact that the British armed forces' annual bill for compensation and legal costs for accidents and health and safety problems has quadrupled to 1100m in the past decade.
S2000 is available in three basic versions. The 4x4 and 6x6 types come with a conventional bonneted cab, while the 8x8 has the same cab set forward of the first axle. Power units are all Euro-3 straight-six units from existing Mercedes-Benz applicators, while a range of MB transmissions—together with Allison automatics— are available according to customer requirements. Beam axles are leaf-sprung with drum brakes and 14.00 x 20 tyres.
Protection
For when things get unpleasant, four levels of protection are available, the highest giving protection against anti-personnel mines and high velocity 14.5-calibre ammunition. Transportation of the vehicle is an important factor, and the Mayflower cab meets the requirement for carriage in a C130 Hercules as well as international rail clearance dimensions. Alongside the British cabs, 82000's bodies are also home-grown, courtesy of the military division of Market Harborough's King Trailers.
Conditions at Milibrook had dried out considerably since the show days, but there were still enough challenges facing the S2000 for it to be able to show off its considerable off-road abilities. Although the fearsome 1-in-1 slope was out of commission, other hills of around 1-in-2 were shrugged off easily, both up and down.
Despite what felt like a relatively high seating position, it was equally capable on cross-slope traverses. Our biggest reservation—although only a matter of specification—was the on-road performance. We were surprised to find the chosen gearing was so short that at 50km/h in top gear, we were looking for another non-existent set of ratios from the 0131 nine-speeder.
The level of in-cab comfort really was a pleasant surprise, with high-back seats incorporating generous padding and integral seat belts, and reflects the fact that the military authorities have woken up to the fact that a soldier who has arrived at the action after a bone-jarring journey is unlikely to be an efficient fighting force.
Although our drive of the 4x4 was a rare privilege, literally only a handful of people (even within DaimlerChrysler) have driven the S2000 6x6, so we were on pain of death to be careful with the only six-wheel prototype in existence.
Very much a factory development vehicle, the 6x6 didn't have the production level of finish that the 4x4 did so direct comparisons wouldn't be too relevant. However, the extra rear axle gave that little bit more shove through the rough sluff that might make the crucial difference to completing the journey. It also added to the feeling that the rear was in better contact with the ground on the really bumpy bits. The 322hp at 23 tonnes ensured that performance was suitably lively, with a wide enough torque spread that the nine-speeds and splitter of the 0221 transmission were more than enough for any conditions.
While there is still no indication of which way the MoD contract is likely to fall, and any decision is still a good six months away, based on this showing tomorrow's squaddles are likely to find life more civilised than their predecessors.