Mercedes-Benz T2

The Mercedes-Benz T2 is a semi-bonnet ed light commercial vehicle t hat was

manufact ured by Daimler-Benz. The T2 is also known as t he "Düsseldorf Transport er",
since it was built in Düsseldorf from 1967 t o 1991. The t hird generat ion, built from
1996 at Ludwigsfelde, was branded t he Mercedes-Benz Vario.
 Mercedes-Benz T2

Mercedes-Benz 407 D double-cab truck

(1967–1981)

Overview

Manufacturer Daimler-Benz

Production 1967–1996

Assembly West Germany:

Düsseldorf
(1967–1991)
Germany:
Ludwigsfelde
(1991–1996)
 Spain: Alcobendas
(1971–1997)
Iran: IKCo, Tehran
(1970–1995)
Argentina:
González Catán
(1969–2000)
Venezuela:
Barcelona
(CIF Diasa)
(1968–1978)
Tunisia

Body and chassis

Class Light commercial

vehicle

Body style Van, Truck, Minibus,

Chassis
 Layout Front engine Rear
wheel drive

Related Hanomag-Henschel
F55
Tata 407 (India)
Steyr
590/591/690/691
(Austria)

Dimensions

Wheelbase 2950–4100 mm

Length 5065–6996 mm

Width 2100–2450 mm

Height 2385–2750 mm

Chronology

Predecessor Mercedes-Benz L
319
 Successor Mercedes-Benz
Vario
Mercedes-Benz
MB700/MB800
Mercedes-Benz
Accelo

In Argent ina assembly st art ed wit h t he first generat ion L 608 D in 1969 and ended in
1990. In 1989, t he new product s are t he L 710, L 914 and 814 wit h t he LO variant
(chassis bus). The product ion ceased in 1996. The Venezuelan version of t he T2 was
manufact ured in Barcelona by t he Grupo Consorcio 1390 S.A. (current ly MMC
Aut omot riz S.A.) as t he Mercedes-Benz Class L3. The L3 was built from 1969 up t o
1978, when t he company was bought by t he Ford Mot or Company.

First generation (1967–

1986)
 T2 407D post-facelift

Mercedes-Benz L 608 D KAV

(Type L 310) "wide-body"
radioprotection fire engine

In 1967, t he T2 was int roduced as a successor t o t he L 319 / L 406 series. Product ion
began wit h gross weight s ranging from 3.5 t o 4.6 t ons (only slight ly heavier t han it s
predecessor), narrow bodies and gasoline and diesel engines derived from t he
cont emporary passenger cars. But soon t he line-up was ext ended by chassis wit h or
wit hout st andard or double/crew cabs, longer wheel bases, wider bodies, higher roofs
and larger engines. As a result , t he first generat ion T2 ended up wit h t he OM314
engine as t he most popular choice and t he OM352 as t he most powerful engine for
t he heaviest versions wit h up t o 6.8 t ons gross weight . Several CKD assemblies
exist ed (see infobox). In Brazil and some ot her Sout h American count ries it was
equipped wit h a t urbo diesel engine.

The T2 was offered as a panelled or glazed van, a more upscale minibus or a light dut y
t ruck wit h single or double cab. Drop-side or dumper beds, st andard or insulat ed box
bodies wit h or wit hout freezer unit s were supplied ex fact ory while chassis t rucks
were available t o t hird-part y body builders for individual bodies. The T2s were popular
for a wide range of applicat ions such as goods dist ribut ion, parcel services (widely
used by t he Deut sche Post wit h sliding front doors on bot h sides), fire brigade and
emergency rescue, milit ary, police, landscaping and const ruct ion companies.

Aft er t he t ake over of Hanomag-Henschel in 1970/1971 a short lived rebadged

Hanomag Henschel version exist ed only differing in t he front radiat or grille and
headlight s. In 1981, t he T2 received a facelift , t he most obvious difference was t he
new grille made of black plast ic. In 1986, aft er 19 years of product ion, van and t ruck
bodies were replaced by t he second generat ion T2, buses cont inued in product ion for
a lit t le ext ra while. The t ot al number of first generat ion T2s summed up t o 496,447
unit s.

Second generation (1986–

1996)

Shaftesbury & District Plaxton Beaver

1 bodied Mercedes-Benz 811D bus in
Gillingham, Dorset

Mercedes-Benz 609D van

The second generat ion of t he T2 was int roduced in 1986, and was manufact ured unt il
1996.[1] It was significant ly upgraded, t he bonnet having become longer and t he design
alt oget her more sharp-edged. The chassis sold in large numbers in t he Unit ed
Kingdom and Ireland during t he minibus revolut ion. Variat ions included t he 609D, 614D,
709D, 711D, 811D, 814D and 510 (pet rol).[2]
The LO812 was sold in Aust ralia from t he early 1990s, West bus purchasing 26 in
1992[3] and Nat ional Bus Company purchased 45 in 1994/95.[4] Various ot her operat ors
would purchase smaller fleet s.

The T2 was manufact ured in Argent ina unt il 1997, as t he L 710[5] and t he LO 915[6]
chassis for minibus applicat ions.

Replacement
In 1996, t he T2 for people t ransport was replaced by t he Mercedes-Benz Vario,
whereas t he T2 for freight and goods t ransport was replaced by t he all-new
Mercedes-Benz Sprint er. Visual differences bet ween t he Vario and it s predecessors
were quit e small, but included new headlight s and radiat or grille: at t he same t ime t he
int erior was revised.[7]

References

Notes

1. T2: a new generation (http://archive.c

ommercialmotor.com/article/5th-july-
1986/25/12-a-new-generation)
Commercial Motor 5 July 1986