The trucks delivered to Sembcorp are powered by a choice of two engines: either an in-line six-cylinder diesel (900 series) or a natural gas engine. The natural gas unit, dubbed M 906 LAG, is a of 6.9l unit which develops 279 hp.
The diesel engines use the BlueTec diesel technology, which optimizes combustion and reduces both exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. The Econic is available with the OM 906 LA (238 hp or 286 hp), and the OM 926 LA (326 hp). The diesel engines can be operated with biodiesel without any prior conversion.
"We are proud of this further opportunity to contribute to Singapore's green urban development," Wolfgang Huppenbauer, Daimler South East Asia CEO said in a statement.
Created originally as a waste disposal vehicle in 1998, the Econic has slowly spawned a whole range of specialized trucks. Since its inception, 12,000 units have been sold, nearly 10 percent of them operated on natural gas (Econic is available with this feature since 2002).
"As recently as May, Daimler delivered Mercedes-Benz buses with environmentally friendly BlueTec technology to the public urban transport services of this South-East Asian metropolis. The city of Singapore is increasingly setting the ecological example for Asia, and the Mercedes-Benz Econic is to make its contribution to this," the carmaker added.
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