Fire service & disaster relief
Red buffalo in action.
Rain, dirt and mud: one plows its way through. When sporty cars head to the test track, conditions are often ideal for racing. But the Zetros wouldn't be the Zetros if it only thrived in perfect weather. On the contrary: as a truck built for situations where it really matters, the Zetros doesn't shy away from any weather or terrain. Reason enough for bodybuilder Rosenbauer, after developing its Modular-Technology product line and fitting the new airport fire truck, to organize a special test drive. In St. Valentin in Lower Austria the Zetros 3048 6x6 was to live up to its name: BUFFALO, the red buffalo.
Zetros BUFFALO: Off-road fire-fighting vehicle from Rosenbauer
Expert at the wheel
The distinctive bonneted truck makes a strong visual impression. And it even gets the hearts of die‑hard connoisseurs racing. This was also true of Matthias Reisinger. In his day-to-day work he is a product manager for industrial and special-purpose vehicles at Rosenbauer International AG. But for the new Zetros he sat behind the wheel himself for two days. He would have gone to the test track anyway, and because he holds a truck driving licence, he couldn't resist: "I'll drive it myself." As the person responsible for the heavyweights, he usually serves as the interface between sales and development. Behind the wheel of the Zetros he is an enthusiastic driver.
Form follows function.
The Zetros BUFFALO has what it takes to be a real hero, because it was designed, among other things, as a fire-fighting vehicle for international aid organisations and missions in crisis areas. It is no coincidence that it is an imposing sight, because with commercial vehicles the form follows function — which in the Zetros results in a design that radiates massive power and absolute reliability. Its distinctive bonnet construction and bodywork make it a unique vehicle with an impressive appearance.
On a special service drive, Matthias Reisinger quickly realised that the fire-fighting colossus impresses both on the road and off-road with considerable engine power. A hefty 476 hp delivers a superb driving experience: "I immediately noticed how well it drives. Particularly rough terrain is the environment in which the Zetros feels at home," enthuses the Rosenbauer expert.
- Fire service Zetros drives through muddy terrain.
- Fire service Zetros from the side
- Fire service Zetros drives on the road.
- Fire service Zetros at night from the rear
Robust on the outside, comfortable on the inside.
With its three axles, all-wheel drive, the Allison automatic transmission and an impressive fording depth of up to 0.8 m, the BUFFALO demonstrates its superiority over conventional fire engines. Hard-to-reach terrain is thus more of a home game than a challenge — true to the Zetros advertising slogan: "Accept no limits".
The driver didn't have to go to the limit for this test. Because although the Zetros also demonstrated its capabilities on uneven ground, it remained comfortable for Matthias Reisinger: "It looks more dramatic from the outside than it was for me. Inside, I didn't notice the potholes all that much."
With full power right on site.
Emergencies can occur anywhere. Bodybuilder Rosenbauer, however, had two deployment scenarios in particular in mind when designing the new Zetros BUFFALO: on the one hand forest fire fighting, where the Zetros contains and extinguishes vegetation fires off-road. On the other hand, airport operations. There, the Special Truck from Mercedes‑Benz is the ideal answer to the special demands on engine power, ground clearance and off-road capability. When an aircraft does not land on the runway but in front of, beside or behind it, the BUFFALO with its all-wheel drive and full power is quickly on site.
A genuine firefighter.
In fire-fighting operations the Rosenbauer superstructures then unfold their full potential: the state-of-the-art pump model, the large water and foam tanks, the dry powder extinguishing system, roof and front monitors cover the entire spectrum of fire-fighting methods. Thanks to the additional pump-and-roll system, the Zetros can even extinguish while on the move.
"Rough terrain is the environment in which the Zetros feels at home."
Perfect adaptation through a modular system.
Customer requirements are met with the new Modular Technology body concept: Rosenbauer’s modular system makes it possible to assemble equipment compartments, extinguishing-agent tanks, firefighting equipment and crew compartments in bespoke sizes. The principle of prefabricated systems gives customers a constructive tool. In particular with regard to the different areas of operation, the Zetros can thus be easily adapted to special requirements. “A bit of ‘building it yourself like Lego’,” Matthias Reisinger sums up with a wink.
A special experience.
The Zetros is the result of more than 120 years of manufacturer expertise. The latest model is, like many of its predecessors, built in the world’s largest truck assembly plant in Wörth. Mercedes‑Benz Special Trucks and bodybuilder Rosenbauer worked hand in hand on the BUFFALO Zetros: "That shows what a solid foundation is in place. The technical preparations and adjustments went really well," says Matthias Reisinger.
Asked about his most memorable impressions of the Zetros, the Rosenbauer product manager does not have to think long: "Definitely: those days on the test track. First the combination of our new superstructures and the Zetros' new chassis, then the drives 'in the wild' and finally seeing the whole thing afterwards in photos and video – that was something very special." Just like the Zetros.
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