Home About the Company Press and Media News TATRA introduced a new generation of the Tatra Force model series

TATRA introduced a new generation of the Tatra Force model series

13 July, 2023

On 24 May, the Brno Exhibition Centre hosted the unveiling of the new generation of Tatra Force cars as part of the PYROS 2023 trade fair. Tatra Trucks presented the new trucks in a world premiere in the firefighting version, but will of course also offer them in variants for other segments. The new generation will expand the range of versions compared to the current generation of the Force series, replacing the Terra model line in Tatra's production portfolio.

Already the third generation of the Tatra Force model series, in addition to a major improvement in the low cab concept and engine over the front axle, will see the portfolio expanded to include variants with a front-mounted engine. "The Tatra Force is our core model range and has great development potential. This is demonstrated by the new vehicles presented today, which have thoroughly improved cabins, chassis and a wide range of modern engines, which will be complemented by alternative drives in the future," said Tatra CEO Lukáš Andrýsek at the world premiere of the new vehicles.

The ceremony took place at the joint stand of Tatra Trucks and THT Polička with the participation of the Director General of the Fire Brigade of the Czech Republic, Maj. Gen. Vladimír Vlček, President of AOBP Jiří Hynek, Director of THT Polička Stanislav Červený, representatives of Tatra Trucks headed by CEO Lukáš Andrýsek and Tatra shareholders representing Czechoslovak Group and Promet Group holdings. The media and visitors of the PYROS 2023 trade fair were introduced to the new vehicles in the version of a 4x4 tanker truck with a four-door cab and a firefighting superstructure from THT Polička, as well as a 6x6 chassis with a short two-door cab ready for mounting a firefighting tanker. The automaker will offer the new generation of the Tatra Force model series in both traditional and new segments, i.e. for firefighting and rescue services, military and security organizations, but also for the mining and construction industry, for manufacturers of special bodies and in other sectors.

New comfortable and safe cabs in short and extended versions

The new cabs, with their redesigned skeleton and modern design features, bring increased safety and a new level of comfort for the driver and crew, including better visibility. "Both the short and extended cabs feature a low overall height, which allows passage in low profiles and reduces the risk of damage to cars. There is integrated rollover protection for the crew, while two-door variants also feature protection against falling objects. The new cab design was also chosen to make it more comfortable and easier to get into the driver and passenger seat and to make it as safe as possible to enter the rear part of the extended cab," said Radomír Smolka, Tatra Trucks' director of research and development, who was responsible for the development of the new vehicle.

The two-door cab offers a choice of seating configurations for two-, three- and four-person crews, including the driver. The four-door cab has full rear-row seating space and offers a basic configuration for a crew of six including the driver, or an extended configuration for a crew of eight with seating in three rows. "In the cabin, equipped with new cladding materials, we have installed a modern dashboard combining conventional switches and display controls, while the driver also has a multifunction steering wheel. A new feature is the possibility of installing air-sprung seats for the driver and passenger, and the crew also has a new heating and air-conditioning unit, which is complemented by improved cabin insulation," explained Radomír Smolka.

Proven chassis, modernised eight and twelve cylinder Tatra engines

The new generation of Tatra Force is based on the Tatra chassis with a central load tube and swinging independently suspended semi-axles. In this area, it builds on the exceptional off-road and on-road performance of the previous two generations. These include above-average approach angles, very good ground clearance and driving stability. The basic versions on offer will be 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 chassis with disc brakes on all wheels. However, as with previous generations, multi-axle versions with varying numbers of driven and steerable axles are also available to customers. The new vehicles in firefighting versions also have standard protection for the electrical and air harnesses located on the chassis using heat-resistant materials.

"The new-generation vehicles will be equipped with an upgraded electronically controlled, air-cooled Tatra eight-cylinder engine with an output of up to 340 kW in the basic version. Selected variants can also be equipped with a new generation of air-cooled twelve-cylinder Tatra engine with an output of up to 440 kW," added Radomír Smolka. Cummins liquid-cooled engines, including Euro VI versions for selected markets, will also be part of the standard offer. Tatra ten- or 14-speed transmissions with improved electronic shifting are available, as well as a 12-speed ZF TraXon automated transmission or an Allison six-speed automatic transmission.

The first generation of the Tatra Force model series was launched in 2007. In 2016, the second generation came to the market, which brought a modernization of the standard two- and four-door cabs, a major innovation was the expansion of the range to include axle versions with disc brakes and a new steering taken from the Tatra Phoenix series. Tatra Trucks also began at that time to offer armoured cabs for the Force range, also in two- and four-door versions, in cooperation with Tatra Defence Vehicle. This option will also be retained for the latest third generation.