With its off-road chassis, multiple equipment variants and, above all, its compact dimensions which allow easy transport in shipping containers, the Unimog has truly impressed the Australian experts. Since this discovery, EarthCruiser has literally been building on the Unimog. The Special Truck meets all of their expectations, bringing users to the most far-flung of places and offering intrepid explorers a comfortable home for long trips.

Australian explorer spirit meets the art of German engineering

The combination of the Unimog U 430 with a motorhome body specifically developed for driving off-road results in a reliable touring vehicle with as much as 300 hp and which is ready for any type of adventure you have in mind: the EarthCruiser Explorer XPR440. The whole outfit literally makes it possible to travel to the end of the world. And all in a safe, adventurous and comfortable way, which currently knows no competition.Home and away.

As standard, the camper is equipped with heated tanks, two lithium batteries, pumps and a water feed. The tanks are mounted on the chassis frame and can store up to 860 l of water and 800 l of fuel – together they make for a usable range of up to 3500 km. Two fridge-freezers with a total volume of 212 and 68 l, 24-volt electrical winches for weights up to 9000 kg at the front and rear, a 2.5-kg washing machine, air conditioning, microwave, a 240-volt outdoor BBQ, not to mention a chainsaw and an axe to round off the special equipment on-board.

The EarthCruiser Explorer promises unforgettable expeditions and is just as prepared for adventurous families as it is for professional research teams. One double and two single skybeds make dreams of sleeping close to nature a reality.

While driving, it is even possible to accommodate five people in the off-road camper. Anyone wishing to add an extra helping of adventure to their discovery expeditions can also transport a motorbike on the rear end. In addition to the standard telematics system featuring satellite tracking, five externally installed cameras can record up to 45 days of live footage from your expedition and allow you to broadcast live around the world if you desire.

The equipment of your EarthCruiser can be expanded to suit your travel plans: whether you need to ready the vehicle for ice-cold Arctic temperatures down as low as -40 °C or for the extreme heat of the desert and the tropics, weatherproofing options optimise the all-rounder to suit your personal requirements.

Offroad Expeditions Vehicle from Bliss Mobil based on the Unimog U 5023

A large range of additional features can be selected, among which are run-flat tyres, a tyre-pressure regulation system and a hydraulic 4-point lifting system for changing tyres or wheels. With as many as 140 functions on-board the specialist vehicle, system control is conveniently managed by means of an iPad touchscreen inside the vehicle.

The EarthCruiser Explorer XPR440 body measures 4.4 m in length. But those looking for an even more compact variant, should look at the XPR380 body variant which measures just 3.8 m. Ex-factory, users also have the choice between a long (3600 mm) and a short Unimog wheelbase (3150 mm).Fusion of two exemplary models.

The Unimog implement carrier concept also features additional advantageous characteristics: VarioPilot® transferable steering on the Unimog U 430 makes it possible to move the steering wheel and pedals from the left-hand side to the right in less than 30 seconds – thus ensuring utmost safety, visibility and control, regardless of where the journey takes you.

The Special Truck additionally shines with an appropriate low-range transmission ratio for off-roading as well as coil springs and disc brakes, both standard on all four wheels. The truck is also available with either a manual or an automated manual transmission. Thanks to all-wheel drive, differential locks and portal axles, as well as short overhangs for maximum ground clearance and great approach and departure angles, the vehicle demonstrates truly impressive traits even off the beaten track. But it doesn't stop there because these characteristics can be enhanced even further upon request.

The compact all-rounder can be transported simply in a shipping container in order to reach a destination of choice in which to put its special characteristics to the test. Let the journey begin!

Source: Daimler

The JV will leverage the cost effective frugal Indian engineering excellence of Escorts and world leading Japanese technology from Tadano to cater to an expanding market for heavier capacity and efficient Truck & RT Cranes and sophisticated truck mounted and rough terrain cranes in the 20 to 80 tonnage category. The 51:49 joint venture between Tadano and Escorts respectively will enable both partners to optimise their current and future capabilities in the segment globally. The JV will aim to take leading position in the high tonnage crane segment in medium to long term.

Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director, Escorts Ltd., said, “Escorts vision has always been to bring the world’s best to India and take India’s best to the world. The new joint venture with Tadano Group is a step towards catering to market demand for smarter, safer and bigger mechanized infrastructure solutions in the higher tonnage category. We are confident that the joint venture will enable us to tap the opportunity market segments and reinforce our leadership in construction equipment space.”

Koichi Tadano, President and CEO, Tadano Ltd., Japan, said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Escorts group. Escorts has a strong technology legacy and diversified portfolio in construction equipment market and Tadano has a proven global technology and together we will cater to India and other growing economies which require safe, efficient & quality products and smarter construction technology.”

The agreement on the joint venture was signed by Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director, Escorts Limited and Koichi Tadano, President and CEO, Tadano Ltd., Japan.

Production by the joint venture is expected to commence at Faridabad in the third quarter of this financial year itself. The product offering will find a ready market with big construction companies servicing oil refineries, metro rail projects, smart city construction, solar power projects and alike.

The special feature: The electrified rear axle with an output of 90 kW can be switched on if required, making the Transporter the first light commercial vehicle with a hybrid concept. The Hybrid Power Chassis presented at the fair as a study enables emission-free, fully electric driving and at the same time unrestricted use of the combustion engine. The basis is the variable AL-KO lightweight chassis, which can be used as a modular system carrier.

Depending on customer requirements, the battery capacity can be adapted to a range of up to more than 100 kilometres in fully electric operation. For longer distances, for example overland journeys, the vehicle's internal combustion engine can be used without restrictions. If E-Drive and combustion engine (booster) are used simultaneously, the fuel savings calculated in the study are 30 percent.

 The powerful on-board charger with a charging capacity of 7 kW - or optionally 22 kW (230 V / 400 V) - and the recuperation strategy ensure short charging times and sufficient power. Intermediate loads during loading or unloading of the vehicle as well as during rest periods are possible at any time. Thanks to recuperation, the system can supply vehicles, for example with a refrigerated box body, with energy and act as a buffer when the vehicle is at a standstill.

This function can be individually adapted to different customer requirements. This means that applications such as lifting platforms, interior lighting or air conditioning systems can also be operated.

The Hybrid Power Chassis offers the following three driving modes:

• Hybrid Mode: Hybrid mode combines the E-Drive with internal combustion engine of the vehicle for greater efficiency. In addition, vehicle bodies can be supplied with energy. Important. This riding mode complies with the new WLTP standard.

• Electric Mode: The all-electric drive (maximum travel speed: 90 km/h) is effected via the high-torque electrical axis. This enables silent and emission-free travel through environmental zones, residential areas, city centres, factory buildings, local recreation areas or at airports.

• X-TRA Charge Mode: This automated mode is used to extend the electrical range of the battery and to ensure the additional electrical energy required. Thus, measures to maintain cold chain specifications are guaranteed.

Additional functions such as a 4x4 starting aid - for additional traction on slippery surfaces or on gradients - and various connectivity solutions, such as monitoring the cold chain or GPS and vehicle data transmission, are also possible.

The plug-in hybrid can be adapted to various basic vehicles such as Fiat, Mercedes Benz or VW. It represents an open, engine head-neutral solution for the future.

The completely localised production line will manufacture a comprehensive range of shock absorbers for commercial vehicles and industrial applications like trucks, buses and includes cabin and axle shock absorbers. The production line will be established in the existing multi-product facility and will offer operational synergies with the current set-up - helping the company to optimally utilize its resources. Furthermore, manufacturing processes used in different global plant locations will be followed at this new production line.

ZF has an extensive range of products for commercial vehicles in India. ZF offers transmissions, axles, chassis components & steering systems for commercial vehicles in the Indian market. The company makes Steering systems with JV partner Rane TRW Steering Systems Limited and Anti-lock Braking (ABS) technology with JV partner Brakes India Private Limited.