The Czech vehicle manufacturer Tatra recently presented the latest generation of its Phoenix model series at a celebratory event at its plant in Kopřivnice. The series is one of the pillars of the production portfolio and is primarily intended for the civilian market, but is also used by rescue and firefighting units and in the defense sector.
Series production will begin this summer, meaning that the first units of the new vehicles will be delivered to customers in late fall of this year. Development of the new generation of the model series began in 2022. Similar to the previous generations, the all-wheel drive vehicle is based on the unique Tatra central tubular frame. Cabs, engines and transmissions will be supplied by long-standing partners such as DAF Trucks, ZF Transmissions and Allison. https://militaeraktuell.at/donaustahl-maus-drohnen-fuer-die-ukraine/
New cab
The new Tatra Phoenix uses the DAF XDC cab (Construction series), which was developed with safety, durability and comfort in mind. It offers better visibility and overview around the truck and is aerodynamically optimized for the lowest possible fuel consumption. A range of modern comfort features, accessories and design elements will be available as options. The cab will be available in both a short (day) version and an extended version with and without a high roof with one or two beds. A modern, digital dashboard with improved ergonomics and simplified controls makes life easier for the driver. The cab will also be equipped with newly designed, anatomically shaped seats for greater comfort and fatigue-free driving.
Proven chassis
The new generation of the Tatra Phoenix series is also based on the tried-and-tested chassis with a central tubular frame in which the drive shafts and differentials are mounted. The chassis is characterized by independently movable, air-sprung pendulum semi-axles, which is unique in the heavy all-wheel drive truck segment worldwide. The new generation vehicles are available in 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 and 8×6 chassis configurations, with a four-axle version also available in a 1+3 configuration (i.e. with three rear axles). However, multi-axle versions with any number of steerable and driven rear axles will also continue to be possible as a customer-specific solution.
The Tatra concept chassis has a number of advantages: first and foremost, a significant reduction in vibrations compared to vehicles with rigid axles, which means a high level of driving comfort for the driver, a lower risk of damage to the body and a higher off-road speed. An additional value is also the high driving stability when cornering or evasive maneuvers – properties that are particularly useful when driving on the road or in combined traffic (road and rough terrain). Thanks to the combination of central tubular frame and welded subframe, the chassis allows the mounting of various superstructures without the necessary compensating elements and in most cases even without an intermediate frame – the vehicles thus have a low center of gravity and a higher payload. The Tatra chassis concept also guarantees a long service life for the vehicle, which does not suffer from torsional and bending loads even in the most difficult terrain. The fact that the central frame tube additionally protects the drive train shafts from damage and environmental influences is a guarantee for the reliability of the drive system, minimal maintenance and low service costs. https://militaeraktuell.at/tarnmuster-haengematte-von-amazonas-ultra-light/
Motors and gearboxes
The new generation of Tatra Phoenix trucks is equipped with iPaccar engines from the MX-11 and MX-13 series. The MX-11 engines will be available in power variants of 300 kW and 330 kW, the MX-13 engines in versions with an output of 315, 355 or 390 kW. The automated ZF TraXon transmission will be available as standard, while the fully automatic Allison transmission can be installed as an option. An integral part of the drive system are also additional Tatra intermediate gearboxes with the possibility of choosing the most optimal and efficient variant for operation depending on the needs of the users. The new Tatra Phoenix trucks are no longer offered with a manual gearbox.
Modern assistance systems for safety and comfort
The new generation of the Tatra Phoenix also brings innovations in the field of electronic and assistance systems, which are increasingly becoming standard in trucks and commercial vehicles. For example, it offers automatic windshield wiper control, an automatic exterior lighting circuit or a corner view system that eliminates blind spots on the driver and passenger side and thus further increases safety on the road and off-road.
The equipment will also be available with a system for detecting obstacles in front of the vehicle or an optional digital vision system. This is a digital camera system that replaces the main and wide-angle mirrors and consists of cameras located on the swivel arms attached to the top of the sides of the cab. The image from the cameras is transmitted to the displays on the A-pillars in the interior. There will also be a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) or a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which monitors the current tire pressure and temperature on all wheels.
