Mercedes-Benz » EXT-92

In 1992 at the Frankfurt Motor Show was presented the concept truck EXT-92 (Euro Experimental Truck). The main theme of the concept was "The new commercial vehicle concept aimed at improving aerodynamics, ergonomics and innovative lighting systems." Concept truck had a futuristic aerodynamic design and equipped with such systems as radar, which monitors distance to a car in front of the truck (Distronic -the same installed on the S-class), the driver's seat in the center of the cabin, the rear view camera instead of mirrors, xenon headlights and LED taillights, the chip card instead of the ignition key, and automatically shading glasses. The idea of EXT-92 concept was in unification of freight containers for transport it by road, sea and air transport. Drag coefficient was only 0.35 - almost like a car. During straight-line moving a special device pulled up trailer to the tractor by about 10 centimeters, thereby reducing a gap between them and lowers an aerodynamic drag. There were automatic deflectors to reduce turbulence at the rear end of the trailer. Fully enclosed wheel arches not only help to save fuel, but also reduce mist spray in wet weather. All made around the driver in the cabin: adjustable steering wheel and dashboard, automatically rotated to the exit driver's seat, communication systems (fax, telephone, radio), kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and sink. The EXT-92 created a furor in 1992.Even now serial trucks have not reached such a level of technical equipment, but many systems are already used in mass production.