Daimler Truck validates Zetros in Arctic tests

Daimler Truck AG announced on March 3, 2026, that its Mercedes-Benz Zetros defense vehicles successfully completed intensive winter testing in the Finnish Arctic Circle, where temperatures dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius and road conditions were largely icy and snow-covered.

The testing campaign was conducted to verify that the Zetros defense vehicle series can maintain reliable operational capability under harsh winter conditions, a requirement for military customers operating in northern climates.

According to the company, the winter testing was carried out at the beginning of the year by the Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks team of experts. The trials lasted several weeks and focused on traction, driving stability on icy roads, low-temperature capability, and overall winter operational reliability.

Dennis Kinzelmann, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, said in a statement: “Our customers, such as Lithuania, Canada, and Ukraine, depend on vehicles that work anytime, anywhere – even in the icy winters of northern latitudes. To meet this demand, we put our vehicles through very demanding tasks in extremely cold and wintry conditions, which they once again completed successfully.”

Daimler Truck stated that the Zetros defense vehicles demonstrated stable handling and full compliance with all technical parameters during the Arctic trials. The Zetros platform is designed for military logistics and transport missions, including operations in difficult terrain and extreme climates.

As part of the winter testing program, the vehicles underwent a cold start procedure at minus 40 degrees Celsius inside a dedicated cold chamber. The company also conducted tests of the electronic stability program, or ESP, on ice and snow. The ESP system is designed to intervene to prevent skidding and improve driving stability on slippery surfaces.

Engineers performed extensive brake tests to evaluate vehicle behavior on different surfaces and under varying traction conditions. Both unloaded and loaded configurations were tested. In some scenarios, wheels on only one side of the vehicle were driven on ice sheets or loose gravel to simulate asymmetric traction and other extreme conditions.

Additional evaluations included kerosene operation and testing of the tire pressure control system. By adjusting air pressure, the system increases the contact area of the tires on snow, improving traction and mobility in winter environments.

The company also reported that winter trials covered mechatronics, software, and safety systems, as well as emissions and exhaust aftertreatment systems. Engineers assessed engine and transmission performance in cold temperatures, along with air conditioning in the driver’s cab and the use of auxiliary heating at very low outside temperatures.

The Zetros is a conventional-hood, all-wheel-drive truck platform commonly used for military transport, logistics, and support roles. Its configuration is intended to provide crew protection, high mobility, and adaptability to different mission modules. For armed forces operating in Arctic or sub-Arctic regions, reliable cold-weather performance is critical to maintaining mobility and sustainment during winter deployments.

Daimler Truck noted that, in addition to the Zetros, other Mercedes-Benz vehicles were tested in the same Arctic environment. These included the Unimog, the Econic, and the eArocs 400, which were also subjected to cold-weather evaluations.

Winter testing at high latitudes is a standard practice for defense vehicle manufacturers seeking to validate performance in low-temperature conditions. Systems such as braking, electronic stability control, and powertrain components can behave differently in extreme cold, making real-world Arctic trials an important step before delivery to customers operating in similar environments.