"With its fuel efficiency and low cost of operation, the Mercedes-Benz MBE900 engine presents a great new choice for our customers," said president Jack Conlan.
The 4-cylinder, 4.3-liter MBE900 is now standard on the MT-45 walk-in van chassis. Two ratings are offered: 170 hp at 2,300 rpm and 190 hp at 2,300 rpm. Peak torque is 420 lb. ft. at 1,400 rpm for the 170-hp rating and 520 lb. ft. at 1,400 rpm for the 190-hp rating. The MT-45 chassis features gross vehicle weight (GVW) ratings from 14,500 to 19,000 lbs. and accepts bodies to 22 feet in load length and volumes to 950 cubic feet. Payload capacity can reach 10,000 lbs.
The MBE900 in 170- and 190-hp ratings will be available on the MT-55 walk-in van chassis in the first quarter of 2003. The MT-55 features GVW ratings from 20,500 to 29,000 pounds and accepts bodies with over 1200 cubic feet of volume and payloads to 15,500 pounds.