23Mar
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New LYNX vehicle for fire-fighting
On 16 November the new LYNX fire-fighting vehicle was presented to the specialised press, professionals from the Emergency Services and fire brigades from different areas of Spain. The conference took place in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), at the installations belonging to the National Institute for Aerospace Technique (INTA). Here, guests were able to see, and test, at first hand the new fire-fighting vehicle assembled by the ITURRI Group on the chassis of a Bremach T-Rex (Tyrannosaurus Rex) model, equipped with an Allison automatic gearbox.
The new vehicle was tested on the off-road trails. Guests were able to experience the speed and smoothness of the automatic gears and the power, speed and lightness of a vehicle assembled using EcoPolyFire® technology, an innovative plastic material which is fully recyclable and eco-friendly. It was developed by the ITURRI Group. This material is lighter, more resistant and tougher. It also introduces the new concept of a mono-bloc body making the vehicle more compact, lighter and easier to handle in any environment. In addition, in the case of fire-fighting vehicles such as this, the bodywork of the LYNX permits the use of a water tank with greater capacity.
This multiservice vehicle has a 170 hp 3-litre twin-turbo Fiat Powertrain engine in parallel with 400 Nm of torque, which complies with the Euro 5 standard, perfect for off-road work. It has a maximum load capacity of 6.5 tonnes. The structure is designed to be truly multifunctional, able to cope with the most demanding conditions in any type of activity requiring extreme driving styles.
It is therefore the ideal vehicle for the ambulance, fire-fighting and civil protection services and for the military. It is also perfect for municipal waste collection services, salt spreaders and snow ploughs, and for use in construction work as a crane carrier, for distribution, etc.
Thanks to its narrow chassis, just 170 cm, the LYNX is a formidable vehicle for rescue and support work in natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. It is fast and powerful for navigating debris, moving inside tunnels and other areas, such as railway lines, where access may be complicated. It can operate in a range of temperatures from -25° to +60° and always offers total safety, performance and reliability.
Speed in an emergency Emergency services all over the world choose Allison automatic gears because they give the vehicle a greater response capacity. In these cases, the LYNX has an Allison Series 1000, 5-speed automatic gearbox, and includes a transfer box which duplicates the number of gears (high gear/low gear) to a total of 10. The Allison transmission offers a maximum starting capacity on any terrain, with a vehicle acceleration, higher and faster than other vehicles with manual or automatic gearboxes. The torque converter supplies continuous power to the wheels without interrupting the traction, thus enabling the vehicles to obtain maximum power in just a few seconds. This saves a lot of time in the starts.
In urban zones, the major advantage of Allison is the increased response speed. Driving with frequent stops and starts, a characteristic style in these vehicles, is also easier thanks to the built-in retarder which increases braking efficiency and prolongs the service life of the brake. Drivers are able to control the vehicle with both hands on the steering wheel, knowing that the gears will automatically change according to the terrain or situation. Other recognised advantages of the Allison gearboxes for emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire-fighters, civil protection, etc.) include the increased productivity, reduced periods of inactivity due to breakdowns and a more efficient use of fuel.
Innovative vehicle The LYNX offer the perfect combination of mobility on all terrains, fire extinguishing capacity and maximum crew space. This new and exclusive range has been developed to respond to emergency situations in both rural and forest environments under any weather conditions. It represents an innovative alternative to urban vehicles working in difficult rural environments. The differences and advantages of the LYNX with respect to other fire-fighting vehicles became evident during the press conference and before going out on the off-road tracks. Among the advantages of the EcoPolyFire® bodywork is a 15% increase in water-tank capacity with respect to vehicles with a bodywork made in other materials, without affecting the other vehicle equipment.
Another benefit is the enhanced all-terrain performance of the truck, with a reduced risk of overturning due to the lower centre of gravity and a larger minimum rollover angle than that established by the European Standard EN 1846. Similarly the all-terrain performance is improved when escaping from tricky situations or driving over rough and complicated ground.
Lastly, the LYNX is also more cost-effective as the new material used extends the life of the bodywork. The anti-corrosion and mechanical resistance guarantees more than exceed the maximum available in the market to date.