The most revolutionary and progressive vehicle in existence in the fire service industry has left the concept stage and is taking big strides towards series production. Around five years ago, Rosenbauer started developing the first hybrid fire engine. This was due to be one of the highlights at the postponed world's leading fire service trade fair, INTERSCHUTZ. Rosenbauer is now bringing the "Revolutionary Technology" out onto the stage and is entering the testing phase of the complete vehicle.

Concept Fire Truck (CFT) becomes Revolutionary Technology (RT)

The vehicle is a technical prototype, which already has all the essential features of the future end-product. This also called for a name change to reflect the shift away from the Concept Fire Truck (CFT) to a name that represents an independent vehicle type that has expanded the range of municipal vehicles alongside the Rosenbauer AT (Advanced Technology) and the Rosenbauer ET (Efficient Technology).

The RT (Revolutionary Technology) name continues the Rosenbauer nomenclature while at the same time emphasizing the unique characteristics of the vehicle. Michael Friedmann, Head of Group Strategy, Innovation & Marketing: "We deliberately chose this name because we are convinced that the RT represents a profound change, a revolution in fire engine construction. The vehicle is not just a further development or a new generation of an existing type or series, but instead an answer to new questions, based on completely new approaches and technologies - technologies that we believe could be trend-setting and perhaps even groundbreaking for the future of fire engines and fire departments."

Disguised prototype on the road

With prototype, the RT is now being intensively tested using the latest sensor systems and measuring techniques. With a bit of luck, you can see the mystery model on the road in the coming weeks when it travels - mostly on a flatbed truck - between the Rosenbauer headquarters in Leonding and the test sites in Wels (airport) and St. Valentin (MAGNA test track).

The driving characteristics of overall entire vehicle, i.e., its driving dynamics, driving safety, and cornering stability, will be tested at these sites under a wide variety of load profiles. Above all, the test track in St. Valentin offers an ideal range of testing scenarios: On different terrains, asphalt, and gravel slopes with potholes and mudflats, unpaved deteriorated roads, and varying inclines (with gradients of up to 60%), the highest loads can be simulated and everything that a fire engine can be exposed to over its entire life cycle can be tested.

First customer vehicles

While the prototype will remain at Rosenbauer as the prime test model, the next three prototypes will be handed over to our first cooperation partners after the testing phase. They will be delivered to the Berlin Fire Department, Brandweer Amsterdam and Dubai Civil Defense later this year.

Road map to INTERSCHUTZ 2021

The unveiling of the RT vehicles for these customers is planned for autumn. Rosenbauer also intends to present a number of innovations from other vehicle areas: Rosenbauer Karlsruhe will present the new L27A-XS turntable ladder in September, the new low-profile standard turntable ladder (L32A-XS Flat) will be on display in Dresden in early October, innovations in the field of municipal and compact vehicles will be presented in Wels.

In addition, the new products can also be admired digitally from around the world as part of a virtual campaign. In keeping with the spirit of the times, Rosenbauer also demonstrates its digital competence here.

Portrait of RT

Vehicle technology:

Firefighting equipment:

The Rosenbauer Group

Rosenbauer is an international group and a reliable partner to fire services around the world. The company develops and produces vehicles, fire extinguishing systems, fire and safety equipment and digital solutions for professional, industrial, plant and volunteer fire services and systems for preventive firefighting. Rosenbauer is represented in approximately 120 countries by a sales and service network. With revenues of around € 980 million and more than 3,800 employees (as of December 31, 2019), the Group is the world's largest firefighting technology provider.

Website: www.rosenbauer.com