The Mercedes-Benz Zetros is an off-road truck for extreme operations. It was first presented at the 2008 Eurosatory defence industry trade show in Paris. The Zetros is manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth, Germany. The truck is designed to be compatible with the Hercules C-130 transport and also fits into a standard German railway carriage. 2012
Variants
The Zetros is available with a choice of 326 hp or 428 hp engines and all-wheel drive:
Zetros 1833 – 4,000 to 6,000 kg payload
Zetros 2733 – 7,000 to 10,000 kg payload
Although normally used as a truck, the Zetros has also been put to work as an off-road tractor unit in the middle east. German company Harald Bruhn also introduced a Zetros-based agricultural trailer truck as the Secutor.
Technical characteristics
Originally introduced with a 7.2L diesel, a 12L variant was added in 2016.
Engine: 7,201 cc inline 6 cylinder diesel
Power: 326 hp
Torque: 1300Nm
Top speed: 55 mph
Engine: 11,967 cc inline 6 cylinder diesel
Power: 428 hp
Torque: 2100Nm
Operators
Current operators
Around 2 000 trucks are planned to be produced by the Algeria's National Company of Industrial Vehicles destined for the Algerian defence ministry. Locally further developed into self-propelled artillery systems using the D-30 and T-12 gun systems. The Zetros is used as a fertiliser spreader in the South East of South Australia. It is a 4x4 version operated by Crossling Contractors based in Naracoorte. The Bulgarian army ordered the Zetros in 2009 to transport personnel and supplies. As of 2012, it operates 335 trucks with 30 more on order. In August 2016 Mercedes Benz has been awarded a contract to provide 330 trucks for the Chilean Army. The contract includes a batch of Zetros 2733 6x6 and Unimog U4000 4x4 vehicles. The first non military application of the Zetros 2733 was announced in June 2018 by the Costa Rican Firefighters as the organization acquired one. It will serve as transport for rescue crew and equipment in emergency situations as floods, hurricanes, storms, wild fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The German army has ordered a total of 110 armoured Zetros vehicles, 72 of which are supposed to serve in logistics units. Unknown quantity acquired in 2019. Mercedes-Benz ZETROS with Mercedes-Benz EMPL platform for PzH 2000 or Bergepanzer 2 transportation Mexican Army And Mexican Air Force have planned the purchase of 137 6x6 trucks, in three stages, beginning the first purchase of 46 in 2017. The Mexican Navy also operates an undisclosed number of Zetros trucks. Turkish Armed Forces use Zetros as HISAR carrier.
Possible operators
In 2016, Mercedes-Benz presents and exhibit the Zetros in the Directorate of Arsenals, the plant of the former TAMSE in Boulogne. As reported by the Defensa site, the Argentine Army is a former customer of Mercedes-Benz. The idea is that the Zetros can replace, in a gradual way, the current fleet of Unimog and MB 1114.
Notable appearances in media
The Zetros is one of 14 Mercedes-Benz vehicle models featured in the 2013 film A Good Day to Die Hard. A 6x6 Zetros, called the Terrorbyte, is featured in the online mode of Grand Theft Auto V. Also appear in Ghost Recon Wildlands, simply called "Military Truck" and is used by UNIDAD. The Zetros also appears in the offroad racing game Asphalt Xtreme