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In an unusual pairing, a vehicle voted the "City Car of the year" by a German auto magazine is also a leader in special fire and rescue service.
Experts are recognising that the micro car, Smart, renowned for its innovative vehicle design for urban transport, can also be used in inner city fire fighting. Already on active service in works fire departments, Smart is a first responder vehicle, fitted with fire extinguishers, or can be a city service car for fire prevention duties.
Its compact size is an advantage. Measuring only 2.5 metres long, the Smart has a wheelbase of 1812 millimetres and makes child's play of a turning circle of 8.7 metres. The Smart fire service vehicle is intended for use in European warehouses, airport buildings, industrial plants, large underground garages or other buildings that are inaccessible to conventional fire engines.
If however, the emergency is off the beaten track, or if progress in winter is hampered by large amounts of snow, the Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles are also in high demand as fire and rescue service vehicles. For example, the M-Class ML 270 CDI combines excellent performance with considerable economy as a fire service vehicle.
These modified vehicles were on display at the special fire and rescue service trade fair in Germany last month. An M-Class with extended equipment for use as an emergency doctor's vehicle, and a smart car as a command car study were highlights of the display.
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