Tatra Phoenix

The TATRA PHOENIX is a truck range from Tatra Trucks, built on Tatra’s chassis concept with a central load-bearing tube, independent swinging half-axles and air suspension on all axles. Tatra’s model page calls the current trucks the third generation (“Třetí generace nákladních vozů TATRA PHOENIX”) and gives them a completely new cab (“Zcela nová moderní kabina”). This page is built from two Tatra Trucks documents in Czech: the TATRA PHOENIX model page on tatra.cz, undated and read on 26 October 2026, and the 2024 Czech brochure that the model page links as its TATRA PHOENIX catalogue. The brochure’s cover reads “STVOŘENA PRO EXTRÉMNÍ TERÉN” (created for extreme terrain), and Tatra’s motto in it is “TATRA VÁS DOSTANE DÁL” (Tatra takes you further).

Overview

Generations

Tatra’s model page calls the current trucks the third generation of the TATRA PHOENIX, and both documents state that TATRA PHOENIX trucks have been at work for more than ten years (“již více než deset let”). The model page gives the number built as more than 5,000 (“> 5000”, “Vyrobených vozů TATRA PHOENIX”). The brochure calls the current trucks a new generation that keeps the chassis concept with the central load-bearing tube and air suspension on all axles, and adds a completely new modern cab, improved engines and optimised gearboxes. No document opened gives the years of the first, second or third generation.

Chassis, axles and suspension

Tatra calls the central load-bearing tube the heart of every TATRA chassis: it houses the drive shafts and the differentials, and together with independent swinging half-axles and air suspension it gives Tatra trucks, in the maker’s words, exceptional driving properties and stability in every terrain. For the tube Tatra lists high torsional and bending stiffness, drive shafts protected from external influences and low service costs. For the swinging half-axles it lists maximum traction through independent wheel movement, smooth travel over uneven ground at a higher average speed, and damping of shocks that protects the frame and the body. The brochure states that vibration on a concrete-panel road is up to 30% lower than on a vehicle with rigid axles (“Redukce vibrací - na panelové cestě až o 30 % nižší než u vozidla s tuhými nápravami”), and lists a low rolling moment and high driving stability.

The chassis is modular, so that multi-axle vehicles can be built to customer order. The basic configurations are 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 (8x6). On request Tatra prepares special multi-axle versions; the brochure’s examples are 10 (12, 14) x 10, 10 (12, 14) x 8 (10, 12) and 10 (12, 14) x 6 (8, 10, 12), with a selectable number of steered (and driven) rear axles, and the model page gives the available chassis variants as 4x4 to 16x16. The photo captions on the model page show a 6x6 with a living body, a 12x10 with a crane body, a 6x6 for forestry, an 8x8 with a hydraulic loading crane, a Phoenix in agriculture and a 6x6 truck mixer. The wheel-formula notation is explained in axle configurations explained.

Engines

The brochure lists the MX-11 and the MX-13 only, at the same outputs, and the model page’s headline also names those two (“Inovované motory Paccar MX-11 a MX-13”). Tatra describes the MX-11 as intended for regional and medium-heavy loads, the MX-13 as designed for long routes and heavy loads, and the PX-7 as optimised for medium-heavy and regional transport. Neither document gives a torque figure, a cylinder count or a rated speed. The brochure’s engine list names a lower noise level, a wide spectrum of power variants, an effective engine brake, low fuel consumption, advanced engine management electronics and optional accessories for specific operations. The emission classes are set out in Euro 6 and Euro 7.

Transmission

TATRA PHOENIX trucks are fitted primarily with ZF TraXon automated gearboxes; a fully automatic Allison gearbox is offered on request. TATRA transfer (drop) gearboxes (“přídavné (sestupné) převodovky TATRA”) are part of the load-bearing structure of the chassis, joined to the central tube, and offer a wide range of ratios. The options named on the model page include a power take-off (“pomocný pohon”) and a cooler (“chladič”). How automated manual gearboxes work is covered in automated manual transmissions.

Cabs

The cab is offered in three versions: short (day), extended (sleeper), and sleeper with a raised roof and one or two berths. Tatra says the new cab was developed with maximum safety, durability and comfort in mind, and lists maximised visibility from the cab, an aerodynamically optimised shape “pro co nejnižší spotřebu paliva” (for the lowest possible fuel consumption) and a modern dashboard with improved ergonomics and simplified controls. The brochure names LED exterior lighting, the Corner View system and a wide choice of accessories and design elements, and, on request, a windscreen with solar film, a digital camera system and doors with a kerb-view window. Cab types in general are covered in truck cabs explained.

Inside, Tatra describes a completely new interior with an enlarged interior space. The brochure’s picture labels name a digital instrument panel, optional touchscreens, a mirror control panel on the doors, controls for the exterior lighting, for the roof window and for the interior lighting, and, as additional equipment, a premium leather steering wheel and the digital camera system. Tatra says the combination of control buttons and a touchscreen raises driving comfort and ergonomics, and that the seats are new, anatomically designed and air-suspended.

Safety and driver-assistance systems

The brochure’s comfort and safety pages describe six systems. A rain sensor near the windscreen switches the wipers on automatically, and a light sensor switches the lights on according to outside conditions, for example at dusk or in a tunnel. A radar sensor used by the AEBS and by the adaptive cruise control (ACC) can identify objects up to 150 m ahead of the vehicle and, in the brochure’s words, “nereflektuje pohybující se předměty od něj (např. předjíždějící vozy.)” (does not respond to objects moving away from it, for example overtaking vehicles). Of the Corner View system Tatra says that it “úplně odstraňuje mrtvé úhly na straně řidiče a spolujezdce” (completely removes the blind spots on the driver’s and the passenger’s side).

Digital Vision, the digital camera system, is optional equipment: it replaces the main and wide-angle mirrors with cameras on arms mounted on the cab roof, which send the image to displays inside the cab. The lane departure warning system (LDWS) warns the driver when the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane, using a camera behind the windscreen. The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the actual pressure and temperature of the tyres on all fitted wheels, the spare wheel included where the configuration has one; the tyre information can be shown on the digital display. The brochure marks none of these systems standard or optional except the digital camera system; the model page says the cabs can be equipped with modern electronic assistance systems. The systems EU law requires on new trucks are set out in mandatory driver assistance systems.

Dimensions and weights

The brochure’s row labels are “Max. GVW”, “Přední nájezdový úhel min.”, “Brodivost min.”, “Světlá výška min.” and “Obrysový poloměr otáčení min.”; it prints no such table for the 8x6.

The brochure does not say between which axles the 6x6 and 8x8 figures are measured. Neither document gives an overall length, width or height, a kerb weight, a payload, or a fuel or AdBlue tank volume. The difference between gross vehicle and gross combination weight is set out in gross vehicle and gross combination weight.

Source notes

All figures are from two Tatra Trucks documents in Czech: the TATRA PHOENIX model page on tatra.cz, undated and read on 26 October 2026, and the 2024 Czech brochure TATRA-PHOENIX-2024-CZ-web.pdf linked from that page. Neither document gives a torque figure, a cylinder count, a rated speed, a kerb weight, a payload, an overall length, width or height, or a fuel or AdBlue tank volume, and neither gives a year for the current generation or for the two earlier ones. The model page lists three engines, each Euro 6: the PACCAR MX-11 (10.8 l; 300 and 330 kW), the MX-13 (12.9 l; 315, 355 and 390 kW) and the PX-7 (6.7 l; 227 kW); the brochure lists the MX-11 and MX-13 only, at the same outputs. The brochure’s configuration tables give, for the 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 in turn, a maximum GVW of 20, 30 and 50 t and a minimum outline turning radius of 8.7, 9.5 and 11 m, and for all three a minimum front approach angle of 30°, a minimum fording depth of 800 mm and a minimum ground clearance of 300 mm. Its wheelbase list heads the third row 8x8 (8x6), while its GVW table names the 8x8 only. The model page gives the available chassis variants as 4x4 to 16x16 and the number of TATRA PHOENIX trucks built as more than 5,000; the brochure names special multi-axle versions such as 10 (12, 14) x 10, 10 (12, 14) x 8 (10, 12) and 10 (12, 14) x 6 (8, 10, 12). The brochure gives the radar of the AEBS and the adaptive cruise control a detection range of up to 150 m, and states that the swinging half-axles reduce vibration on a concrete-panel road by up to 30% against a vehicle with rigid axles.