Mercedes-Benz TN - Misplaced Pages

Motor vehicle

Mercedes-Benz TN/T1

Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Also called	Mercedes-Benz T1 Bremen Transporter Togo Atlas Mercedes-Benz Vario 3100
Production	1977–1995
Designer	Stefan Heiliger
Body and chassis
Class	Van (M) Small truck
Related	Force Traveller (India)
Chronology
Predecessor	Harburger Transporter [de]
Successor	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

In 1977 Daimler-Benz introduced a new van/truck (a.k.a. transporter), called Mercedes-Benz T1 internally. Other designations were series TN ("Transporter Neu") and Bremer Transporter, since the vehicle was built in the Transporter-Plant in Bremen, Germany, first. In the years 1983/1984 production went - piece by piece - to the Transporter-Plant-Düsseldorf (city in the Rhineland, Germany). The internal chassis-designations (Baumuster, "BM") are: 601 (2.55–2.8t GVWR), 602 (3.2–3.5t GVWR) and 611 (4.6t GVWR).

Design

The TN/T1 was available as a minibus or fitted with a cargo box body or flat cargo bed. A double cab version was offered in the latter two configurations. Three wheel bases were available, with gross weight ratings ranging from 2.55 to 4.6 tonnes. Mercedes-Benz-built gasoline or diesel engines were available as powerplant options for the rear-wheel drive chassis. The best known 4x4 Versions of the Mercedes-Benz TN/T1 were made by Iglhaut by adjusting parts of the G-Wagen to the TN/T1-chassis. The TN/T1 van was also used as a campervan conversion, being much larger than the Volkswagen Transporter. In 1995, after 18 years of production, the TN/T1 van series was discontinued, succeeded by the T1N "Sprinter".

In Philippines, Mercedes-Benz T1 rebadged version, Togo Atlas is locally made by Morales Motors. The Atlas also offered as minibus or chassis cab for jeepneys and utility trucks.

History

The TN/T1 van model series included 207 D, 208, 307 D and 308. They debuted in April 1977. The original line was composed of two engines and four weight classes, as follows:

207 D, 208 - gross weight 2,550 kg (5,622 lb) or 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
307 D, 308 - gross weight 3,200 kg (7,055 lb) or 3,500 kg (7,716 lb)
207 D, 307 D - four-cylinder Diesel engine with 2404 cc and 65 PS (48 kW) engine OM 616, nearly the same engine as in Mercedes-Benz 240 D (W123) and 240 GD (460).
208, 308 - four-cylinder petrol engine with 2307 cc and 85 PS (63 kW) engine M 115, nearly the same engine as in Mercedes-Benz 230 -"Lowcompression-Export-Version".

Market share was almost 90% for the Diesel engine and a little more than 10% for the petrol engine. While the petrol engine was mainly used for ambulances, firetrucks, special vans for cold areas, commercial buyers preferred the Diesel engine for its lower fuel consumption and best reliability. In the UK, originally only diesel engines were on offer, but as the British market was 80 percent petrol at the time sales were poor. For 1982 petrol models were added, and sales immediately increased by 80 percent. The body styles were panel van, different versions of window vans, pickup and pickup with double cab. Already the power outputs for the 4-cylinder engines were very good, so the 307 D was one of the fastest 3.5 ton (GVWR) Diesel-Vans in Europe of the late 1970s. Low gearing also meant that the vans were capable pullers, able to make best use of the power available whilst returning surprisingly good fuel economy for the large size and weight of vehicle.

In September 1981 the 407 D, 409 D and 410 were added with a gross weight of 4,600 kg (10,141 lb). The 409 D had a bigger and more powerful diesel engine with five cylinders, 2998 cc and 88 PS (65 kW). It was the OM 617 engine which was also used in the Mercedes-Benz 300 D passenger car and 300 GD G-Wagon. Other revisions throughout the production were minor, the OM 616 engine having a modified cylinder head and less bore which lowered the capacity from 2404 cc to 2399 cc, but producing slightly more power (72 bhp) and using 5-speed-gearboxes instead of the early 4-speed-versions.

In autumn 1988, two new diesel engines - called OM 601/23 and OM 602/29 - were offered, awarded the "Diesel 1989" award.

After 18 years of production, 970,000 of the Bremer Transporter were produced. In 1995 the Mercedes-Benz T1N Sprinter was launched, replacing the T1.

Models

TN / T1 Diesel (1977–1995)

Model	Engine	Cylinders	Displacement	Max. power / rpm	Max. torque / rpm	Years
207 D / 307 D / 407 D	OM616 (616.917/913/934)	4	2404 cc	65 PS (48 kW) / 4200	137 NM / 2400	1977–1982
207 D / 307 D	OM615 (615.944)	4	1988 cc	55 PS (40 kW) / 4200	113 NM / 2400	08.1977 – 10.1985***
207 D / 307 D / 407 D	OM616 (616.937/939)	4	2399 cc	72 PS (53 kW) / 4400	137 Nm / 2400	1982–1988
208 D / 308 D / 408 D	OM601 (601.940)	4	2299 cc	79 PS (58 kW) / 3800 (82 PS / 4000)*	157 Nm / 2000–2800	1989–1995
209 D / 309 D / 409 D	OM617 (617.913)	5	2998 cc	88 PS (65 kW) / 4400	160 Nm / 2400	1982–1988
209 D / 309 D / 409 D	OM602 (602.?)	5	2497 cc	90 PS (66 kW) / 4400**	154 Nm / 2400**	1989–1993
210 D / 310 D / 410 D	OM602 (602.940)	5	2874 cc	95 PS (70 kW) / 3800 (98 PS / 4000)*	192 Nm / 2400–2600	1989–1995

* with automatic transmission only, ** for Belgium only, *** for Italy only

TN / T1 Petrol (1977–1995)

Model	Engine	Cylinders	Displacement	Max. Power / rpm	Max.torque / rpm	Years
208 / 308	M115 (115.955/972)	4	2307 cc	85 PS (63 kW) / 4800	160 Nm / 2000	1977–1982
210 / 310 / 410	M102 (102.942)	4	2299 cc	95 PS (70 kW) / 5200	170 Nm / 2500	1982–1988
210 / 310 / 410	M102 (102.945)	4	2299 cc	105 PS (77 kW) / 5100	182 Nm / 2000–2700	1989–1995

TN / T1 Electro (1978–1980?)

Model	Engine	Cylinders	Displacement	Max. Power / rpm	Max.torque / rpm	Years
307 E		E-Engine	2 x 90 volt			1978–1980?

The internal chassis designations: 601 - 2.55–2.8 t (207 D / 208 / 208 D / 209 D / 210 / 210 D) 602 - 3.2–3.5 t (307 D / 308 / 308 D / 309 D / 310 / 310 D) 611 - 4.6 t (407 D / 408 D / 409 D / 410 / 410 D)

Design

History

Models

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links