Mercedes-Benz Zetros as a top-class mobile home

Sep 07, 2014 News 0

Top class meets top class: the Mercedes-Benz Zetros stands for outstanding traction and ruggedness; the bodies from Hartmann Spezialkarosserien stand for maximum stability and technical brilliance; the interior equipment and appointments from Hünerkopf stand for customised luxury in perfection. Added together, these three components produce a fascinating, top-class mobile home. This super-home on wheels will celebrated its public premiere at the Caravan Show in Düsseldorf, Europe’s leading trade fair for recreational vehicles, from 30 August until 7 September.

Zetros: off-road ability of a Unimog with load-carrying capacity of a truck

The Mercedes-Benz Zetros provides the platform for this high-end mobile home. It combines the extreme off-road ability of a Unimog with the load-carrying capacity of a heavy-duty truck. A typical feature is its cab-behind-engine configuration, which makes for easy entry and exit, plus a single-level, spacious cab as well as excellent off-road ride comfort thanks to the seat position between the axles. The superior off-road concept is founded on permanent all-wheel drive, high ground clearance, single tyres, no fewer than three differential locks and a two-stage transfer case. The figures prove just what the Zetros is capable of: with a maximum degree of articulation of 2 x 500 mm, the fording depth is up to 1190 mm, while the climbing ability is 80 percent.

Unlike many mobile homes, a permissible gross vehicle weight of 18 t means that the two-axle Zetros 1833 has no problems with its weight. The vehicle is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with 7.2 l of displacement and 240 kW (326 hp) of output plus BlueTec technology in combination with a six-speed automatic transmission. Elegantly painted in persilver metallic, the show vehicle is fitted with impressive 16.00 R 20 off-road tyres.

Body: slide-out with carbon-fibre skin for increased living space

The cab and body of the mobile home are connected by a passage. The cab is by Hartmann Spezialkarosserien from Alsfeld in Middle Hesse. The body has a length of 5.6 m and a width of 2.4 m, and is painted in the vehicle colour. Walls, roof and floor are made of one-piece, galvanised and plastic-coated panels. They offer high stability as well as excellent insulation thanks to a maximum wall thickness of 100 mm.

Another special feature is an electrically powered slide-out to the left in the direction of travel with a carbon-fibre outer skin and pneumatic seals. Heating elements stop ice and snow from collecting on it. The slide-out increases the living area to a length of 2.5 m. At the rear, a sturdy load carrier with hydraulic lift is capable of carrying a motorcycle.

Living area: natural-stone floor, real-wood furnishings, glass shower

The high-specification interior equipment and appointments are from Hünerkopf, a specialist supplier based in Neukirchen near Kassel. The layout is just as carefully thought out as it is comfortable. A spacious L-shaped seating arrangement with kitchenette is complemented in the central section by a bathroom with washroom and toilet plus a separate shower cubicle. A roomy double bed rounds off the accommodation at the rear.

The high-grade furnishings in the mobile home are trimmed with a real-wood veneer in bird’s-eye maple. The quintuple-lacquered and polished surface produces a brilliant high-gloss effect. Both the floor and the kitchen worktop are finished in lightweight natural stone. The large sofa in the slide-out is upholstered in breathable genuine leather.

The high-grade entertainment system with automatic satellite dish and internet connection acts as a connection to the outside world. The living and sleeping areas are each equipped with an LED screen. A perfect acoustic experience is ensured by a Bose sound system.

A refreshing shower is a source of special pleasure in this mobile home: the walls of the shower cubicle are provided with a real-glass mosaic pattern with decorative background lighting. Light plays a prominent role on board: this is the first mobile home to feature organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for illumination. They produce a warm, even and continuously dimmable light. Added to this, they have a very low power consumption.

On-board equipment: huge tanks, two heating units, air conditioner

Tanks holding 300 l of fresh water and 600 l of diesel ensure extended independence from all infrastructure on long journeys. This is also guaranteed by the combination of lithium-ion batteries and a solar energy system. If necessary, there is a power generator on hand to meet all energy needs. The impressive array of on-board equipment additionally includes two independently operated, diesel-powered hot-water heaters and an air conditioner.