Premiere: customer takes delivery of first Mercedes-Benz Citaro Low Entry model

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The delivery of the first two Mercedes-Benz Citaro Low Entry (LE) Euro VI models to the company infra fürth verkehr gmbh marks the expansion of the new Citaro family by a total of five Low Entry model variants. Klaus Dieregsweiler, representative for infra fürth verkehr gmbh, took delivery of the symbolic keys to the first Citaro LE from Rüdiger Kappel, brand spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches, Germany, at the Mercedes-Benz bus plant in Mannheim on 16 April. The new Citaro LE thus replaces its extremely successful predecessor, while at the same time heralding the introduction of further Citaro Euro VI models.

Growth in the Citaro family

In addition to the Euro VI variant of the Citaro LE, the short variants of the Citaro, namely the Citaro K, and also right-hand drive Citaro models in the guise of the Citaro Solo and Citaro K, are now also available with Euro VI engines. As a result the urban bus family is almost complete, comprising suitable vehicles to meet virtually every possible customer requirement.

Low Entry: passenger-friendly and economical

As the term "Low Entry" suggests, these buses feature a low-floor design from the front section up to and including the centre entrance, and a raised floor behind the centre entrance (door 2). As well as providing a high level of passenger comfort, even for passengers with restricted mobility, this "composite" design also allows the uncomplicated and maintenance-friendly installation of the major assemblies in the rear area.

Tried-and-tested components from low-floor and raised-floor buses

Like its predecessor, the Citaro LE with Euro VI engine combines the advantages of a low-floor bus with those of a raised-floor bus. Both regular-service buses – the Citaro LE and the Citaro – are practically identical up to the area behind the centre entrance door. The low-floor area of the Citaro LE is exactly the same as that of the Citaro rigid bus. At the same time, in the rear section of the passenger compartment, passengers benefit from enhanced ride comfort thanks to the drive axle and transmission being lifted from the rural-service bus and touring coach modular systems. The raised roof also allows standing room at the rear of the Citaro LE. However, the Citaro LE has only been raised where necessary: as the bus features the same front body section as the standard Citaro, the sense of spaciousness is as pleasant and harmonious at the front as it is at the rear. At the same time the Citaro manages to maintain completely its sleek, distinctive exterior lines.

The look of the Citaro LE

Unlike its predecessor, whose side line rose in the rear area, the new Citaro LE is barely distinguishable from the Citaro solo bus. When viewed from the side, the fact that the floor has been raised by 310 mm from the centre of the vehicle is only noticeable as a result of the slightly longer raised roof section extending towards the front. By adopting the front section of the Citaro and not increasing the height in this area, the bus achieves a well-proportioned overall look. The side line has been retained in full. The optionally available roof-mounted air-conditioning system can be fitted in its familiar place, as on the Citaro. Appearance-wise, passengers will scarcely notice any external difference between the Citaro and the Citaro LE. Even the rear is derived from the solo bus. Only the cooling ribs positioned on the right-hand side of the tailgate, and the raised roof transition, are indicative of the LE variant.

A true Citaro - on the inside too

Links with the Citaro family are clearly evident in the passenger area of the Citaro LE, which includes wall-mounted cantilever seats for the urban bus as well as twin seats with aisle-side supporting feet and the classic handrails which curve outwards at the top. The raised ceiling in the rear area exactly reflects the design of the front ceiling area. The cross duct in the transition from the low-floor front section to the raised rear section conveniently accommodates a destination display or a monitor for the rear rows of seats.

While the Citaro LE makes use of the tried-and-tested City Star Eco seating, the rural-service variant of the Citaro LE comes fitted with Inter Star Eco inter-city seats. In the rural-service version, spacious, trough-shaped luggage racks can be fitted from the front end through to the area above the rear axle. The luggage racks also feature grab rails for the benefit of standing passengers. As an option for rural-service applications, service units comprising ventilation nozzles, reading lights and buttons for the passenger stop request system can be integrated into the luggage racks.

As in the previous model, two shallow steps in front of the rear axle, each 195 mm high, lead up to the raised-floor area at the rear. Thanks to the roof being raised by 310 mm here, the feeling of spaciousness at the rear is as pleasant as at the front of the bus. The floor-to-ceiling height in front of the rear platform is a spacious 2.05 m. The raised floor part rises only gently from the second door, and does away completely with steps. This benefits passive safety and makes it easier to clean the vehicle. All the seats in the rear of the bus face forwards, while the rows rise steadily from front to rear like cinema seats. The rear seat bench has sufficient space to accommodate five passengers.

RO 440 rear axle for coach-like ride comfort

Due to the raised floor concept at the rear, the bus is fitted with the RO 440 hypoid axle, a tried-and-tested performer from the Mercedes-Benz touring coach range. The main advantage of the hypoid axle over the portal axle fitted on vehicles with a low floor throughout is the single-stage ratio of the centrally positioned differential, meaning low inner frictional resistance and, as a result, favourable fuel consumption figures and low noise levels. Since there is more installation space available for the rear axle below the raised floor area, an extremely effective suspension system offering coach-like ride comfort can be fitted. The maximum spring travel of the RO 440 axle has increased by 70 percent compared with a portal axle - that corresponds to an increase in travel of 50 mm, from 70 mm to 120 mm.

Powerful Euro VI engines with Power Boost option

The Citaro LE already makes use of the comprehensively revised and extremely economical Euro VI engine series from the Mercedes-Benz Citaro. Forming the basis of the engine line-up is the vertically installed OM 936 six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 7.7 litres. As standard the engine meets the Euro VI emissions standard, and in the recent Record Run Buses 2012 demonstrated the potential to achieve fuel savings of up to 8.5 percent compared with a Euro V engine. The basic engine has an output of 220 kW (295 hp). As an option, a 260 kW (354 hp) variant is also available. The OM 936 works with two asymmetrical exhaust gas turbochargers and two-stage charging, which helps to guarantee a response which is characterised by high levels of torque.

Even better response is promised by the new Power Boost System (PBS). In brief, this technical refinement will be available for the engine rated at 260 kW. The new system is designed to guarantee better "sprint performance" when moving off, particularly on topographically demanding routes. To achieve this, the Power Boost System pumps compressed air from the standard compressed-air system into the engine's intake tract, thereby increasing air throughput in the short term. This in turn results in increased short-term starting torque, which can prove invaluable at bus stops located on inclines.

Like its urban bus counterpart, gear changes are taken care of in the Citaro LE by an automatic transmission, optionally available from ZF or Voith.

The variants of the new Citaro LE

The Citaro LE range comprises two-axle urban and rural regular-service buses. The Citaro LE urban bus is 12 metres long and comes with a choice of two or three doors. The rural-service bus variant in the guise of the Citaro LE Ü (12 metres long) has two entrance doors, while the Citaro LE MÜ (13.1 metres long) is available both with two and three entrance doors. All variants of the Citaro LE are 2.55 metres wide and have a maximum height of 3.315 m at the rear. The Citaro LE urban regular-service bus can carry 101 passengers, while the rural-service bus has a capacity of 83 passengers (plus the driver's seat in each case).

The handover vehicle in detail

In addition to their economical Euro VI engines, the two Citaro LE buses handed over to infra fürth verkehr gmbh also boast a comprehensive package of equipment and appointments. The 50 City Star passenger seats are supplemented with a wheelchair space with grab handle, stop request buttons and a lean-on area with integrated folding seat (mother/child seat), as well as two additional folding seats in the standing platform area opposite door 2. The interior bus-stop name displays consist of two 48 cm (19-inch) TFT monitors in the front and rear of the vehicle. Linked to an integrated on-board information system (IBIS), they are able to display information on the vehicle's progress along the route as well as the next stop. In addition, news items, event notices and advertisements can also be displayed.

In addition to a video monitoring system for door 2, infra fürth has also ordered a reversing camera which can be used not only as a parking aid but also to monitor the area around the rear of the vehicle. The images are transferred to a video monitor in the driver's cockpit. Additional safety equipment includes a fire alarm and extinguishing system in the engine compartment.

About infra fürth verkehr gmbh

The company infra fürth verkehr gmbh is responsible for the entire public local transport system in the city of Fürth. With 8 routes covering a route length of around 1147 kilometres, the transport operator carried around 18 million passengers in 2012. The company's fleet currently comprises 54 vehicles, 48 of which are Citaro models. Among these 48 vehicles is also the milestone 25,000th Citaro, which was handed over to infra fürth verkehr gmbh in a special ceremony in Stuttgart in 2009. The two Citaro LE vehicles with Euro VI engines will be deployed in future on all routes in the Franconian city of Fürth.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Nine Citaro Euro VI solo buses delivered to BLT Baselland Transport AG in Switzerland

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On 04 April, BLT Baselland Transport AG in Switzerland took delivery of nine Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses meeting the requirements of the future Euro VI emissions standard. These are the first standard-production regular-service solo buses featuring this clean technology to go into service with BLT in Switzerland.

Emission control system comprising SCR technology plus exhaust gas recirculation

The new Citaro meeting Euro VI is currently the cleanest diesel-driven regular-service bus on the market. An optimised combustion process and a sophisticated emission control system reduce particulate emissions to just three percent of the level specified by Euro I twenty years ago, while nitrogen oxide emissions have been cut to five percent.

In addition to new engines and an extensive emission control system, the Citaro also features a new outer shell. Thanks to a raft of design measures, the buses weigh no more than previously – despite the additional technology on board. They even offer lower fuel consumption – and therefore lower CO2 emissions – than originally expected. Mercedes-Benz has implemented a number of measures to compensate for the additional weight of the Euro VI components, including a lightweight fibreglass-reinforced-plastic (FRP) roof and a weight-optimised rear axle. The Citaro is therefore able to boast the same high payload and passenger-carrying capacity as before.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Setra touring coach heads to South America - via China

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Across desolate steppe landscapes and through snow-capped mountains: this year for the first time global travellers will not only be able to discover the Silk Road, but also travel the length of the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego - all from the comfort of a luxuriously equipped touring coach in the guise of a Setra S 515 HD from the new ComfortClass 500 series. What is set to be the world's longest coach journey is to be undertaken by coach tour operator "Avanti Reisen", and will commence on 8 April 2013 in Freiburg and come to an end on 22 December in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. In short: a world record.

Successfully navigating this mammoth route, along what for the most part will be uncomfortable roads and through very diverse climatic conditions, calls for a technically mature touring coach boasting outstanding driving characteristics as well as optimum comfort-enhancing and safety features.

Trust in the Setra brand is the best guarantee

A strong believer of this very sentiment is Hans-Peter Christoph, Managing Director of Avanti, who has already successfully travelled from southern Germany to China in Setra TopClass 400 touring coaches on two previous occasions. As a result he is more than happy to opt for a vehicle from the traditional Ulm-based Setra brand for this ambitious project too. In his opinion, trusting the buses of Daimler AG is the best guarantee when it comes to taking on the risk of tackling a round-the-world trip in a coach: "As far as I'm concerned, there is no better travel companion than the Setra."

Setra touring coaches: the ultimate solution for long-distance travel

Thanks to the combination of a luxurious specification with the powerful, environmentally friendly Euro VI "BlueEfficiency Power" engines, Setra coaches are quite simply the ultimate solution for long-distance travel. Featuring adaptive cruise control, the Lane Assistant system, Continuous Braking Limiter, Electronic Stability Program and Front Collision Guard (FCG), the bright red-painted S 515 HD fulfils the highest safety standards currently applicable. The drive train of the touring coach comprises the 10.7-litre OM 470 in-line six-cylinder engine which produces 315 kW (428 hp) and delivers its maximum torque of 2100 Nm at 1100 rpm. The Euro VI engine is coupled with the GO 210 six-speed manual transmission, which features a high sixth gear for reduced engine speeds.

5-star touring coach with ample legroom

With a five-star classification and measuring 12.3 metres in length, the new two-axle ComfortClass 500 model, which celebrated its premiere at last year's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, provides ample legroom with 40 seats. In addition, the interior ambience is enhanced further by face-to-face seating with tables. On top of the technical refinements of the S 515 HD, the ambitious operator will also benefit from the added security afforded by the extensive service network of the EvoBus Omniplus service brand. An experienced mechanic will also be present on the trip.

A host of landmarks in 26 countries

Travellers can book the trip, which covers a total distance of 52,000 kilometres through 26 countries, either as a complete tour or in five individual stages. "The dream stage connects two of the world's most legendary routes and is peppered with a host of highlights. It makes its way to sacred Mount Ararat, through the Gobi desert, past volcanoes and Canadian lakes, and also through the green jungles of Central America as well as ultra-modern cities", explains Hans-Peter Christoph, stirring up interest in the epic coach trip, for which a few seats are still vacant.

ComfortClass 500: first touring coach design to feature Euro VI technology

In 2012, with the ComfortClass 500, Setra presented the world's first touring coach design developed entirely in line with Euro VI requirements, and set new benchmarks in terms of economic efficiency, value, comfort and safety with the dynamic sixth generation of the touring coach. The new premium touring coaches impress with a streamlined shape which was refined in the wind tunnel as part of a comprehensive development process.

Furthermore, a hybrid lightweight design concept that ensures even more strength at a significantly lower weight, as well as intelligent management of fuel consumption and electrical energy, make the new Setra touring coaches, built with precision manufacturing technology, appealing value-added vehicles that are among the safest coaches in their class. With the start of series production in the spring of 2013, the coaches are already implementing the Euro VI emissions standard which is due to come into effect in 2014 for new vehicles, as well as numerous other safety regulations and legal provisions planned for the coming years.

Avanti Reisen receives Sustainability Award 2013

Avanti Busreisen is a coach tour operator based in Freiburg, Breisgau, which has been run by Hans-Peter Christoph since 1991. As the owner of the company, he believes that the bus represents the most environmentally compatible, climate-friendly form of motorised travel. This year Christoph and his team have been awarded the International Sustainability Award by a German trade magazine dedicated to coaches. The focus of the company, which employs a staff of 22, includes long-distance inter-city and city tours as well as day trips. In addition, Avanti Reisen is also active in the rental and regular-service operations sectors.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Setra S 415 GT-HD, taxi to runway intersection

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Taxiing to the popular runway intersection in a Setra bus - visitors to Zurich's airport can now enjoy the comfort of a luxury Setra ComfortClass 400 touring coach when they participate in a sightseeing tour of the airport premises. During the tour, the new S 415 GT-HD "Final Edition" which belongs to Flughafen Zürich AG takes guests to the maintenance hangars, the airport fire service and across the airfield to the runway intersection where they can experience planes at close range taking off to destinations all over the world. The S 415 GT-HD with its high-quality paintwork showing a panorama of the airport is also available for other assignments. If flights are cancelled the operator takes stranded passengers on behalf of the airlines to the planned destination airports which include Stuttgart, Munich or Nuremberg.

As required, the 49-seat bus can be converted with the help of quick mounts on airline rails to accommodate a total of 16 wheelchairs. These can be lifted in to the two-axle vehicle via a fully-automatic lift for the disabled with a divided lift flap and door located behind the right-hand front wheel.

First Swiss touring coach with a three-point seat belt system

The S 415 GT-HD, equipped with a panorama camera, flatscreen displays and LED reading lamps, is the first touring coach in Switzerland to be fitted with three-point seat belts. Modern assistance systems such as the Lane Assistant and adaptive cruise control with Active Brake Assist (ABA) provide for the highest degree of safety for passengers. An additional infrared reversing camera assists the driver when manoeuvring in front of narrow hotel entrances. At the handover of the bus, Andreas Bachmann who is responsible for the transportation of passengers on the airport premises emphasised why Flughafen Zürich AG again chose a coach from Daimler's Ulm-based brand after having bought an S 417 GT-HD in 2007: "For us, the consistent price-performance ratio is a decisive purchasing argument when deciding to invest long-term in a new Setra bus. In the coming years, this vehicle will guarantee us a high degree of availability and great value retention."

25 million passengers at the largest Swiss airport

Zurich airport is located 13 kilometres north of the finance metropolis' centre and is operated by the privatised Flughafen Zürich AG, which employs over 1700 employees on behalf of the state. In 2012 around 25 million passengers and over 270 000 take-offs and landings were recorded at Switzerland's largest airport. Zurich's airport serves as a hub for the German airlines Lufthansa and Air Berlin as well as being the base airport for Swiss, the federal national airline. The airport is also home to the headquarters of the Swiss air rescue service.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Even more economic and eco-friendly: Mercedes-Benz Integro touring coach with a new generation of Euro VI engines

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The new generation of BlueEfficiency Power engines and the transition to the Euro VI emissions standard are the focus of the Mercedes‑Benz Integro in 2013. Considerably lower fuel consumption and further reduced exhaust emissions are the result.

BlueEfficiency Power: two engines, four output variants

The Euro-VI-compliant Blue Efficiency Power engines of the Integro are vertically installed in-line six-cylinder engines. The new, particularly compact Mercedes‑Benz OM 936 series with 7.7 l displacement is used in the two-axle vehicles. The output amounts to 220 kW (299 hp) or 260 kW (354 hp), both at 2200 rpm. Torque is 1200 or 1400 Nm respectively.

The equally new Mercedes‑Benz OM 470 with 10.7 l displacement is used in the three-axle vehicles. Its output is either 265 kW (360 hp) or 290 kW (394 hp) at 1800 rpm. Maximum torque is 1700 Nm or 1900 Nm.

Both engines boast common-rail injection. The injection pressure is generated via a high-pressure pump for the OM 936 or by the X-PULSE injection system for the OM 470 with a pressure booster in the injector.

Strong response, low weight, reduced fuel consumption

The new engines are characterised by high torque at extremely low engine speeds, a spontaneous response and a very smooth running performance. They also excel with a very favourable weight. Despite the additional assemblies required in order to comply with Euro VI, weight has been optimised and reduced with numerous individual measures and is even lower than that of the Euro V predecessor model.

The efficiency of the engines is outstanding: depending on the usage profile and the drive train combination, the fuel consumption of two-axle vehicles is 2-5 % lower than that of predecessors whilst it is up to 2 % lower for three-axle vehicles. The consumption of AdBlue and engine oil is also considerably lower. Not only the new engines, but also the optimised auxiliary equipment such as the regulated generators and the efficient air compressor have contributed to the low fuel consumption of the Integro.

Complex emission control system compliant with Euro VI

The strict regulations for the coming Euro VI emissions standard require a complex emission control system. For this reason Mercedes‑Benz has combined the well-established BlueTec engine technology with SCR technology and AdBlue injection with exhaust gas recirculation as well as a particle filter.

Fast, comfortable, easy-to-operate: the GO 250-8 PowerShift transmission

Mercedes‑Benz also offers the Integro with the eight-speed GO 250-8 PowerShift bus transmission as an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission and the ZF EcoLife automatic transmission with torque converter. Drivers profit from the progressive synchronisation of the transmission as well as from gearshifts which are as fast as they are comfortable. The operation of the transmission via the joystick gear lever is extremely simple. Almost wear and maintenance-free, the clutch is also new to this transmission. A centrically located, pneumatically operated clutch cylinder renders mechanical parts such as the clutch release fork, clutch release bearing and the servo assistance unnecessary.

A powerful yet lightweight retarder

The driver operates the new integrated retarder as usual via the steering column switch. It achieves a braking torque of up to 3500 Nm. The retarder is designed as a secondary retarder and uses the engine coolant as its brake fluid and coolant. This eliminates the previous oil/water heat exchanger and the associated oil changes for the retarder.

Striking design of rear-end for the Euro VI variants

The dynamic design of the rear-end of the Euro VI variant with its newly designed engine compartment flap is striking and distinctive. It is closely related to the Travego Edition 1, the touring coach flagship of Mercedes‑Benz. The symmetric form conceals the completely new design of the cooling and ventilation system for the engine. The position of the radiator behind a bulkhead on the right-hand side together with the ventilation is also an important element.

The specialist for inter-city journeys and excursions

The Integro's proven agenda remains unchanged: consistently tailored to inter-city travel, this two-door specialist with three variants on two axles (Integro, Integro M) or three axles (Integro L), measuring between 12.14 m and 14.92 m in length covers everything from short regular-service routes in suburban traffic to long-distance inter-city travel. Its comfortable design makes it perfect both for shuttle services and excursions. Thanks to this successful combination of comfort and efficiency and its flexibility with regard to use, the Integro is a double-earner and therefore particularly economic.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Fuel cell buses with hybrid technology provide shuttle service at Davos

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Two Mercedes‑Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid buses with fuel cell technology will be providing both shuttle and regular services from 23 to 27 January 2013 at the prestigious "World Economic Forum" in Davos.

At the 43rd annual meeting of the charitable foundation, leading international economic experts, politicians, intellectuals and journalists will be discussing the world's most urgent challenges with regard to health and the environment. With this in mind the Mercedes‑Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid buses are an ideal means of transport. PostAuto Schweiz AG will be providing the vehicles for transporting participants.

PostAuto is the first bus company in Switzerland to use fuel cell technology in public transport. Since the end of 2011, five Mercedes‑Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid Postbuses have been employed on PostAuto regular service routes in and around Brugg (Aargau canton). PostAuto is carrying out a long-term test of fuel cell drive systems. The fuel cell Postbuses use only environmentally-friendly and sustainably produced hydrogen as a fuel. PostAuto estimates that 2000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved during the five-year test phase.

Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses is very enthusiastic about the promising future of eco-friendly fuel cell buses: "I had the opportunity to see operation on the ground. I am very impressed with how PostAuto Schweiz AG has implemented the concept."

Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid

When compared to the fuel cell buses which were tested from 2003 within the framework of the CUTE and HyFLEET:CUTE projects, the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid boasts fundamental innovations: hybridisation with energy recovery and storage in lithium-ion batteries, high-performance electric motors with 120 kW continuous power in the wheel hubs, electrified PTO units and further developed fuel cells. These will achieve an increased durability of at least five years or 12,000 operating hours. The fuel cell stacks of the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid are identical to those of the Mercedes‑Benz B‑Class F‑CELL with a fuel cell drive system. Both stacks are located on the vehicle's roof as was the case with earlier fuel cell buses. The lithium-ion batteries which, for example, store recovered power during braking are a new addition to the roof. The power provided by the energy reservoir means that the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid can travel several kilometres using only battery-electric power. In principle, the concept of the new FuelCELL bus correlates with the Mercedes‑Benz BlueTec Hybrid buses. A diesel generator still provides these with the necessary electric energy. In contrast, on the new FuelCELL buses, it is the fuel cells which generate electrical current for the drive motors which boast zero-emissions.

Thanks to the improved fuel cell components and the hybridisation with lithium-ion batteries, the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid saves 50 percent hydrogen in comparison to the previous generation. As a result the number of tanks has been reduced from the nine necessary for the previously tested fuel cell buses to seven and a total of 35 kg of hydrogen. The range of the fuel cell buses is greater than 300 kilometres. Thanks to these diverse technical improvements, purely electric omnibuses with fuel cells for energy generation are a definite step closer to being ready for series production.

CHIC project (Clean Hydrogen in European Cities)
The project, financed by the EU and other partners provides for the integration of 26 fuel cell buses into daily regular bus services in five European cities. The project is based on the step-by-step introduction of fuel cell buses with hydrogen drives and aims to set up bus fleets comprising fuel cell vehicles and the necessary infrastructure. In participating in the CHIC project, Daimler buses is drawing on their previous successful participation in the EU-funded CUTE and HyFLEET:CUTE projects between 2003 and 2009. A total of 36 Mercedes‑Benz Citaros with second generation fuel cell drives more than proved their worth for twelve transport operators on three continents.

PostAuto Schweiz AG
PostAuto Schweiz AG employs over 3000 employees and operates around 2100 vehicles, of which one third are Mercedes‑Benz vehicles. The company transports 120 million passengers annually. The three-tone horn and the yellow Postbuses are part of Switzerland's cultural identity. The company was successful in its application to participate in the CHIC project.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Sieke KG renews their Setra fleet

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Touring and transport company Sieke continues the modernisation of their fleet by purchasing five S 415 UL vehicles. After having received six ComfortClass 400 touring coaches in December last year and a double-decker S 431 DT from the TopClass 400 model series in March of this year, the end of 2012 was seen to be the right time for renewing the fleet of inter-city buses.

In its successive replacement of the entire touring coach and regular service bus fleet, the company from Hessen places enormous emphasis on vehicle quality – a criteria which they feel is fulfilled by the Setra vehicles purchased. Wilhelm Sieke particularly praises the versatility of the new inter-city buses which besides serving regular service bus routes will also be used for school excursions or occasional chartered journeys: "The Setra brand has been a reliable partner for our tasks for many years. Since 1978, we've been impressed by the high quality and the ever advanced technology which the brand from Ulm employs", explained the company's director at the handover of the five new buses in Neu‑Ulm. The S 415 UL vehicles from the MultiClass 400 model series will soon be used on new routes in the Waldeck-Frankenberg area.

Sieke KG has been relying on Setra buses for over 30 years

Initially founded in 1811 as a small artisanal enterprise, Sieke KG established its bus company in Diemelstadt, Hessen in 1965 and their expertise lies in renting out high-quality touring coaches. Currently employing 35 members of staff, they support tour operators in the organisation and realisation of made-to-measure short-range and long-distance tours around Europe. What's more, the touring and transport company, now being run in its third generation, also operates a driving school, as well as serving regional regular service bus routes.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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The first touring coaches for the Rhineland with environmentally friendly Euro VI engines

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During the handover ceremony in Neu-Ulm, the family-run business Omnibus und Reiseverkehr Laschke GmbH received two Mercedes-Benz Travego Edition 1 buses and a Setra S 416 GT‑HD from the ComfortClass 400 model series in front of a crowd of more than 150 invited guests and customers. The company from Euskirchen is therefore the first business in the entire Rhineland area to use touring coaches fitted with environmentally friendly Euro VI engines.

With their purchase of the two Mercedes-Benz touring coaches, Omnibus und Reiseverkehr Laschke GmbH took on a pioneering role and set a good example in the region. Since their introduction, the Travego Edition 1 vehicles are the first touring coaches in the world to already fulfil the requirements of the future Euro VI emissions standard. They are powered by the new OM 471 BlueEfficiency Power engines whose 12.8 l of displacement supply 350 kW (476 hp) at 1800 rpm. The high maximum torque totals 2300 Nm at 1100 rpm. In addition to being equipped with the new GO 250-8 PowerShift automated eight-speed transmission for buses, the vehicles that were handed over also feature an ergonomically enhanced cockpit as well as a range of the latest safety systems. However, none of this comes at the expense of passenger comfort. Great importance was consistently given to the particularly large seat spacing of 90 centimetres in the new vehicles; this too is unrivalled in the region.

The management of this family business with great heritage see the acquisition of the new buses as a consistent step in the direction of the future: "As the environment is one of our most important goods, Omnibus und Reiseverkehr Laschke GmbH seeks to protect it and maintain it as a lifeline for us and our children. That's why we decided that we would have our new touring coaches equipped with Euro VI engines today already; in doing so, we are thus one big step ahead of the legal requirement for buses which are even more environmentally friendly."

Laschke GmbH has been relying on Mercedes‑Benz and Setra for three generations

In 2011, the company which was founded by Franz Laschke celebrated its 60th anniversary. The first multi-day tour headed off to South Tyrol in 1962. In 2010, Stefan and Joachim Laschke took over the family business from their father Reinhold Laschke, who had led the company through its second generation since 1976. Today, the bus company offers its customers a wide range of daytrips and multi-day tours throughout Europe – from the North Cape and Iceland via St. Petersburg right down as far as Spain and Portugal. The company, now with more than 35 employees, has been relying on both of Daimler's bus brands for many years. Joachim Laschke explained: "Traditionally, our fleet has been solely made up of touring coaches from both Mercedes-Benz and Setra as they offer high levels of efficiency, reliability and comfort. With this order, we are continuing down a path which we've been walking along for three generations already."

Credits: Daimler AG

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Rosi Reisen updates its fleet with Mercedes-Benz touring coaches

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For 40 years Rosi Reisen has placed its trust in products from EvoBus. To mark this year's anniversary, the company based in North-Rhine Westphalia has ordered a touring coach fleet of a special kind. The last touring coaches in an overall contingent of ten Tourismos and two Travegos were handed over to Johannes-Gerd Overhoff Junior, Company Director of Rosi Reisen, by Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales & Aftersales for Daimler Buses on 14 December. All the vehicles are in the distinctive Rosi retro-design with which the company's vehicles started touring in the early '80s.

"The design of the new vehicle fleet harks back to our exterior paint finishes during the successful 1980s. For us it symbolises tradition and the start of our own success story," said Johannes-Gerd Overhoff during the ceremonious vehicle handover. Rosi Reisen brought 50 selected touring customers and 20 of its own staff and drivers to the Mannheim bus plant to witness the handover and reminisce. Here, where the success story of Mercedes-Benz buses also began, the anniversary delegation from Marl had the opportunity to tour one of the world's most modern bus plants and see the legendary quality confirmed.

The current fleet of Mercedes-Benz touring coaches

Whether as the Travego, Tourismo or Tourino, the Mercedes-Benz portfolio of touring coaches is above all characterised by safety and economy. Mercedes-Benz is matched by practically no other manufacturer in the responsibility it has assumed for the safety of buses. Many of the new features which are nowadays standard celebrated their debut around 40 years ago, in a vehicle bearing the Mercedes star. For example the anti-lock braking system ABS, or much more recently the Electronic Stability Program ESP. To realise the vision of accident-free driving, the integral safety concept was created as an overall approach. As a systematic implementation of the safety theme, this concept covers all the phases in automobile safety: from safety in road traffic to safety in critical situations, protection in the event of an accident and right down to mitigation of an accident's consequences.

The theme of economy and cost-effectiveness is similarly comprehensive at Mercedes-Benz. A good price/performance ratio, low lifecycle costs, economical and long-lived drive systems and long service intervals make Mercedes-Benz touring coaches a positive factor in the accounts of a business. "With touring coaches from Mercedes-Benz, customers benefit from the very first kilometre onward," says Till Oberwörder.

Rosi Reisen in Marl

Rosi Reisen was founded in Marl in 1972, taking its name from Roswitha Overhoff. In the early 1980s the family's business policy and customer proximity combined with up-to-date buses became a success formula for this tour operator. These are values the company has retained to this day. The new Rosi retro-design of the new touring fleet is intended to make this core expertise evident. With very few exceptions the fleet only has products from German brands. With the procurement of the 12 Mercedes-Benz touring coaches there is no longer a vehicle in the fleet older than one year. In addition to 25 touring coaches, Rosi Reisen operates 60 inter-urban and regular service buses and has 85 employees working in service sectors such as bus chartering, major event logistics, holiday tours, group tours, school transport and exhibition/shuttle services.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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adidas now driving Mercedes-Benz Travego

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On 11 December, Horst Hartmann, Head of Sales for the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit, Germany Region South, officially handed over a Mercedes-Benz Travego Edition 1 Euro VI to the adidas Group: Head of Human Resources Matthias Malessa and Hans-Peter Klein-Schell, Vice President Corporate Facilities + Services EMEA & Key Projects, chose the current flagship vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz range and, in opting for the Euro VI engine variant, have selected Mercedes-Benz's environmentally cleanest touring coach. Travelling to staff and company events, or VIP shuttle services, at adidas will from now on be undertaken in far more eco-friendly and comfortable style. The vehicle was presented to senior staff and sponsors at the sports equipment manufacturer's premises at Herzogenaurach in Germany.

2012 has certainly been a good year for the Travego Edition 1. In the spring it became the first touring coach with Euro VI engine to become available, and soon scooped up two awards: in Spain it won the title of "Coach of the Year" and then, in the summer, topped the Engineering category in a readers' poll organised by the German professional journal "Busplaner", where it was voted Innovation of the Year. For the last few months, the German national football squad has been using a Travego Edition 1 as an exclusive team vehicle, as has the league team VFB Stuttgart. adidas is now the latest name to join this exclusive group of customers.

Travego Edition 1

It is not only the technical capability of the Travego Edition 1 that is so impressive. Thanks to its fuel-efficient BlueEfficiency Power engines, it already meets the Euro VI emissions standard that comes into effect in 2014. The eight-speed Mercedes GO 250-8 PowerShift bus transmission introduced at the same time as the Travego Edition 1 is designed to take the pressure off the driver with such features as a special crawler mode, which makes delicate manoeuvring far easier. Technical features such as its largely wear- and maintenance-free clutch and a new-style steering-column shift lever, as well as a comprehensive package of safety equipment, add up to position the Mercedes-Benz touring coach as the top model in the product range.

The interior of the black and anthracite metallic-painted Travego has been appointed to meet the specific requirements of adidas. The 48 passenger seats, with Luxline upholstery, are complemented by two club tables with face-to-face seating in the rear of the coach. The panel above each pair of seats includes a service unit with air vents and reading lights. A small kitchen with stowage compartments, a hot-dog heater and a fridge is available to supply any catering needs, while a video/audio system with three 19-inch (48 cm) LCD monitors ensures that passengers are kept entertained. The onboard toilet can be used with either a water-flush or a chemical flushing system.

Centrepiece BlueEfficiency Euro VI

The eco-friendly and Euro VI-compliant engine in the Travego Edition 1 uses the vertically mounted six-cylinder in-line engine from the OM 471 series. Output is 350 kW (476 hp) at 1800 rpm from a displacement of 12.8 litres. Maximum torque is high, reaching 2300 Nm at 1100 rpm. A particular feature of the engine is its unique common-rail injection system with pressure booster (X-PULSE). This allows the very precise injection of fuel via cylinder-selective controls that can be modelled as required at injection pressures of up to 2100 bar – the prerequisite for low fuel consumption figures, low exhaust emissions and a smooth-running engine.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Setra delivers 750th S 411 HD to Austria

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The slogan of the Upper Austrian bus company Neubauer is "Das Besondere ist unser Ziel" which roughly translates as "We're heading towards that special something" and the family business from Altenberg near Linz now has a very special bus for its tours. Company directors Regina and Erich Neubauer together with their son Christian received the S 411 HD from the TopClass 400 model series. The bus which was delivered to the small Alpine republic is the 750th vehicle of this type that Setra has produced.

In front of all of her colleagues that had travelled up to the New-Ulm Setra Customer Centre for the ceremonious handover, Regina Neubauer highlighted two of the reasons why she opted for Daimler's bus brand from Ulm: "For me, Setra is one of the best quality touring coach brands on the market. What's more, we also feel as though we're in good hands with the Europe-wide OMNIplus Service network." With its 39 comfortable seats, passengers can get nice and relaxed in the latest-generation TopClass 400 touring coach from Setra. Their safety is assured by such systems as adaptive cruise control (ART).

Family business with four main areas of operation

The Neubauer bus company was established in 1966. In 1989, trained tourism expert and daughter of the company's initial founding couple, Regina Neubauer decided to open her own bus company, which she ran for ten years in parallel to that of her parents. Then in 1992 she opened her own travel agency, followed in 2003 by the acquisition of a Setra S 315 GT-HD with a lift for disabled persons. The bus company currently offers a varied touring programme, including city, spa, opera and sporting breaks, as well as pilgrimages. The main focus of the company's attention is on four main areas: tours and excursions, school bus services, transport of disabled persons and the running of the travel agency.

Credits: Daimler AG

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The 500th Mercedes-Benz Citaro was handed over to PostBus

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Swiss public transport operator PostBus Switzerland AG has taken delivery of its 500th Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus. The milestone vehicle was handed over to Daniel Landolf, Member of the Executive Management at Swiss Post and Head of the Group unit PostBus, by Frank Scherhag and Armin Krieg, CEO and Head of Sales respectively for Mercedes-Benz Buses at EvoBus (Switzerland) AG, at Begnins in the Swiss Canton of Vaud on 4 December 2012.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro – a broad range of variants

From when production began in 1998, the Citaro has shown its versatility as an urban and regional-service bus in a broad range of variants in different lengths and with differing packages of equipment and appointments. The models operated by PostBus vary from the compact Citaro K, at 10.5 metres in length, to the three-axle 18-metre-long Citaro G articulated bus. For those variants where the emphasis is on maximising seating capacity, PostBus also uses the Citaro Low Entry model. Since late 2011, PostBus has been running five Citaro with fuel cell-hybrid drive systems.

Milestone bus

The 500th bus, a Citaro G, bears the distinctive yellow/red livery of PostBus and is equipped with the traditional post horn. It is powered by an eco-friendly OM 457 hLA (260 kW) diesel engine and, with its closed-loop particulate filter, complies with the emissions standards Euro V as well as EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle).

The interior of the 3-door Citaro G is designed to be light and attractive. The driver's cockpit is in a cabin unit that keeps it completely separate from the passenger compartment. Temperatures in the cockpit and passenger compartment can be controlled individually from a roof-mounted air conditioning system. Two double TFT monitors inside the bus provide information for passengers.

PostBus – the "yellow class"

PostBus Switzerland carries over 120 million passengers each year. With more than 3300 employees and a fleet of more than 2100 vehicles at its disposal – of which a third are Mercedes-Benz vehicles – PostBus is the leading bus company in Switzerland's public transport network.

Credits: Daimler AG

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German travel operator Schmetterling Reisen takes delivery of 16 Setra S 415 NF low-floor buses

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The German travel operator Schmetterling Reise- und Verkehrslogistik GmbH has recently expanded its fleet with the addition of 16 new Setra low-floor buses, type S 415 NF. This major order, for a total of 19 Setra MultiClass 400 rural-service buses - the biggest investment ever made by this small family-run business, based in the Franconian town of Geschwand - was triggered by the company winning the tender for a local public transport contract. From December 2012 on, the Schmetterling company will be operating new regular-service routes in the rural districts of Forchheim and Fürth with a total fleet of 60 buses. The decision to meet this new challenge with buses bearing the badge of the traditional Ulm brand was not a difficult one for joint Managing Directors Elmar and Daniela Singer, who took delivery of the vehicles at the Customer Centre in Neu-Ulm before an audience made up of company drivers and their families.

As Elmar Singer commented: "It was a very conscious decision in favour of Setra buses, the quality, functionality and reliability of which have never ceased to impress us over the last 30 years or more. We know that the low-floor buses will still show excellent value retention even after the eight-year term of our contract ends. There is no comparable vehicle on the market that retains its value as well as a Setra bus."

As Heinz Friedrich, Head of Setra Sales Germany, commentedat the handover event for these regular-service buses, each of which is equipped with 40 seats and standing room for 45: "This contract just goes to show that, with a professional and committed approach, privately owned companies can still offer competitive solutions to rival those of the big companies."

The S 415 NF Setra MultiClass 400 buses are fully adapted for the disabled with low-level door sills and a folding ramp for wheelchair users, and are also equipped with a computer-based central guidance system and event monitors, upon which passengers are able to track the bus's route in graphic form.

Schmetterling Reise- und Verkehrslogistik GmbH has worked with Setra since 1980

The company Schmetterling Reise- und Verkehrs logistik GmbH currently employs 240 members of staff and is part of the Schmetterling group of companies, based in the town of Geschwand, in the Franconia region of Germany. The portfolio of the transport company, which operates throughout Germany, encompasses tourist travel and transport logistics, scheduled bus services, taxis, rental cars and tour operations. Established in 1976, the company currently runs a fleet of 127 vehicles, including around 80 tourist coaches and regular-service buses. The Franconian family-run business has been a partner of the Ulm-based brand since 1980, when the company bought its first Setra 100 series vehicle, an S 150.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Budapest receives biggest fleet to date of new Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus

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Beginning on May 1, 2013, 159 new-generation Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses will be providing comfortable, environmentally compatible passenger transport in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Daimler Buses landed the major order in early November 2012, and will begin delivering the first urban buses to Budapest in April 2013. The contract is the biggest order to date for the new generation of Mercedes-Benz urban buses. The vehicles were ordered by Hungary’s largest private bus company, VT Transman, which operates both regional and municipal bus lines.

All of the 159 Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses comply with the EEV emission standard and will be produced at the two EvoBus plants in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm. The vehicles are being produced by both plants because of the short six-month period between the placing of the order and the delivery of the first buses.

“This major order from Budapest is a big success for us and shows that the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the best product on offer as far as our customers are concerned,” says Till Oberwörder, Managing Director of Marketing, Sales & Aftersales at Daimler Buses. “An order of this magnitude is strong proof that our customers are highly satisfied with our buses when it comes to quality, environmental compatibility and reliability.”

The order for a total of 159 urban buses encompasses 80 articulated buses and 79 solo vehicles of the new-generation Mercedes-Benz Citaro. The articulated buses are 18 meters long and have four doors, while the solo vehicles are 12 meters long and have three doors. Thanks to the buses’ low-floor design, elderly and physically challenged people can easily get in and out of the vehicles or use the wheelchair ramp. In addition, the Citaros are fitted with cameras for monitoring the passenger area and the outside of the vehicle. These fuel-efficient, low-emission buses are equipped with the environmentally friendly Mercedes-Benz BlueTec diesel technology and meet the EEV emission standard.

Daimler Buses is the world’s leading manufacturer of buses and bus chassis of over eight tons GVW. In 2011, Daimler Buses employed approximately 17,500 people around the world and sold nearly 40,000 buses and bus chassis. Its product range covers urban and intercity buses as well as travel coaches, and includes everything from minibuses to double-deckers — with different engines and equipment features available for all vehicles. The European bus business is managed by EvoBus GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Ohly & Weber chooses Tourismo for MeinFernbus: Mercedes-Benz Tourismo to travel the distance from Frankfurt to Leipzig

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Ohly & Weber Reisedienst GmbH, travel service partner of Germany's pioneering long-distance bus company MeinFernbus, has already provided three Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches for the new long-distance route between Frankfurt and Leipzig. Handing over the vehicles to Frank Weber, Managing Director at Ohly & Weber Reisedienst GmbH, at the plant in Mannheim, Konstantinos Tsiknas, Head of Sales at Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches in Germany, spoke of the importance this new long-distance route represents and the need for customised equipment levels for long-distance vehicles.

Tourismo and the long-distance concept

The Tourismo is one of the most popular touring coaches from Mercedes-Benz ever, with well over 15,000 vehicles having been sold since production started in 1994. The success of the Tourismo comes down to its particularly economical and safe design, as well as very flexible individualisation options which result from a large range of special equipment. Frank Weber confirms that: "Our passengers really like the Tourismo. It offers them a high level of comfort thanks to seats which are particularly easy on the spine and an engine which runs quietly. With yearly mileages of more than 200,000 km, the combination of operating costs, reliability and re-sale value of the vehicles is a decisive factor for us as a bus company. The extremely low fuel consumption of the Euro V EEV engines is a major part of the economic aspect. Ohly & Weber has now made full use of these characteristics and the equipment levels suited to long-distance regular service buses in order to transforming the Tourismo touring coach into a long-distance regular service bus. What's more, on almost all of the lines, there are Omniplus workshop partners available in close proximity around the clock.

The order was taken for a 2-axle Tourismo M and two Tourismo L vehicles. Just like all other long-distance regular service buses from MeinFernbus, the coaches will feature the company's eye-catching pea-green exterior. Inside, high-quality 4-star seating arrangement has been used. All 49 seats found in the Tourismo M and the 57 seats in the Tourismo L vehicles have been ordered in the Travel Star Xtra (TSX) design with Softline upholstery. The on-board entertainment programme includes a radio and video system with CD/DVD player, a navigation display which can be displayed to passengers, as well as two 48.26 cm (19 ″ ) TFT screens. Furthermore, every bus has its own WLAN network, which allows passengers to surf the net and send emails free of charge during the journey.

As long-distance coach travel does not generally involve tour guides or service personnel, catering facilities for the passengers present a particular challenge. In the future, this role will thus be carried out by vending machines. A selection of everything from chocolate bars and snacks to cups of coffee will be available from the two machines which are built into the kitchenette near the central entrance. The central entrance is also monitored by camera. The high-performance roof-mounted air-conditioning system with 32 kW output and the additional driver's workstation climate control have also been adapted to long-distance travel, as has the flushable on-board toilet.

Powerful, environmentally friendly drive

The Tourismo L vehicles are powered by the impressive in-line 6-cylinder turbo diesel engines from the OM 457 LA series, with 12 litre displacement and an output of 315 kW (428 hp). With a maximum torque of 2100 Nm, the engine meets the requirements of the environmentally friendly EEV exhaust emission category (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicles) without the use of a particulate filter. The same OM 457 LA engine type is used in the Tourismo M, however with a reduced output of 300 kW (408 hp) and Euro V emissions category. Power is transmitted to the tried-and-tested hypoid drive axle with the Mercedes‑Benz 6-speed transmissions GO 210 and GO 190.

Long-distance services: the environmentally friendly alternative

A recent amendment to the Passenger Transport Act in Germany will certainly shake up the German long-distance market for bus travel. Since April 2012, MeinFernbus has transported 95,000 passengers from A to B on its two long-distance lines alone. Tickets for the long-distance coaches are generally available at a much better price than the corresponding rail options and, in terms of environmental friendliness, the busses are clearly streets ahead.

With its new long-distance line between Frankfurt and Leipzig, Ohly & Weber Reisedienst GmbH is branching out into long-distance regular service bus routes and thus expanding its range of travel services from its previous fields of touring routes and classic regular service routes. Founded in 1932, the family company views this business venture as an exciting and lucrative opportunity with plenty of growth potential. Operating the long-distance route is MFB MeinFernbus GmbH, more of a start-up company on the German long-distance travel market having only been established in June 2011. MeinFernbus currently organises the lines together with eleven medium-sized bus companies. The three new Mercedes models from Ohly & Weber are thus part of six new lines altogether, which MeinFernbus is already getting set to launch this November.

Credits: Daimler AG

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2100 visitors to the 2012 Setra Show

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The Setra ComfortClass 500 arouses a great deal of interest. Roughly two months after its official world premiere all eyes were on the new-generation buses at the 2012 Setra Show. The event, held from 17 to 18 November at the Setra Customer Centre in Neu-Ulm, drew in around 2100 guests, approximately a third more than last year.

"We were very proud to welcome more than three hundred visitors from abroad on the first day of the exhibition. This large number really demonstrates the high reputation that the Setra brand enjoys all over the world," said Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales and After-Sales for Daimler Buses, emphasising the international importance of the twentieth Setra Show.

In September, the Daimler bus brand presented some of its current product range at the International Motor Show for commercial vehicles (IAA) in Hannover and although the TopClass 400 and Multiclass 400 were again exhibited at the Setra Show in Ulm, the main focus of the event was on the ComfortClass 500 and the future Euro VI engine technology. These engines are set to make the new touring coaches more efficient and environmentally friendly whilst also making them more attractive in business terms. Setra presented a total of eleven buses, including the premieres of the S 412 UL and S 416 H from the MultiClass 400 with the new "Blue Efficiency Power" Euro VI engine generation.

S 515 HD of the Record Run Buses 2012 on display

Setra's forecast reduction in fuel consumption is now signed and sealed: this was proved a few weeks ago by the Record Run Buses 2012. Information on the results was available at a special stand, where the test vehicle with all its measuring instruments could also be viewed. The S 515 HD used 8.2 percent less diesel than its predecessor. Also, numerous guests took the opportunity to experience the new ComfortClass 500 coaches themselves on test drives. Visits to the nearby coach manufacturing plant as well as demonstrations of the upgraded Active Brake Assist (ABA2) were also possible.

In addition to many expert and insider conversations with the Setra sales team, the guests at the Setra Show were able to find out about the latest trends in the industry. For example, the staff of the Omniplus service brand, the Fleetboard vehicle management system and the MB-Bank all provided information on latest developments and offers.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Conecto articulated buses on the streets of Warsaw for the first time: 60 Mercedes-Benz Conecto buses for Poland's capital

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It's already a familiar sight on the streets of Istanbul, Bucharest and Szeged, and now it's coming to Warsaw. Since the Mercedes-Benz Conecto first went into production in 2007, it has become a firm favourite among bus operators in eastern Europe and Turkey.

On 19 November this year, the first Conecto articulated buses were delivered to the Warsaw public transport company Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe Sp. z o.o. (MZA). At a ceremony attended by the deputy mayor of Warsaw, Jacek Wojciechowicz, Roman Biondi, brand spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Omnibusse EvoBus GmbH, handed over the symbolic key to the bus company. Mercedes-Benz won the major order in a tendering process run by MZA as part of an ongoing plan to upgrade its vehicle fleet. The company currently owns 1300 buses. The order was especially important to Mercedes-Benz because it marks the return of buses bearing the three-pointed star to the streets of Poland's capital following an absence of several decades.

Uncompromisingly modern

The transport operator MZA had a clear set of requirements for the modernisation of its buses. Alongside comfort features such as low floors and accessibility, MZA insisted upon environmentally-friendly drive systems and high safety standards. So it should be no surprise to learn that the engines in all the 60 Conecto articulated buses meet the EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicles) emissions standard without particulate filters. The floor-lowering technology fitted in all the articulated buses makes this four-door vehicle very passenger-friendly and enables people to board and alight quickly. Entry is greatly assisted by the 'kneeling' device which lowers the bus to kerb level at stops, a feature particularly appreciated by passengers with limited mobility. The passenger compartment is light and welcoming. The first thing to catch the eye upon entering the bus is the striking seating design. The grab handles and grab poles are picked out in a signal yellow, while the red fabric of the seat backs depicts Warsaw's finest attractions. Five 22 inch (56 cm) monitors make up the core of the passenger information system. They display news, advertising and information about what's going on in Warsaw. There are also two 38 inch (96 cm) screens which are used exclusively for showing route information, transfer points and stopping points. Passengers can also use the unlimited onboard wifi free of charge. A high-performance air conditioning system keeps the driver's cab and passenger compartment comfortable at all times.

Safety first

As part of its safety concept, the bus has eight internal and two external cameras. The camera images are displayed on the driver's tablet PC. All data is continuously recorded and during every break or changeover the data material is evaluated and transferred to a server where it is stored. These security features are already fitted as standard on scheduled service buses in many cities. The driver's cabs have also been designed with safety in mind. To protect the driver against potential attacks the cab is completely sealed off from the passenger compartment. A two-section access system at door one enables the driver to reach his workspace through the right-hand side, and passengers to enter left to their seats. A door in the driver's cab which can only be opened from the driver's side means he can enter the passenger compartment at any time.

The Mercedes-Benz Conecto articulated buses in their contrasting signal yellow and traffic red livery are being produced at the Mercedes-Benz bus plant in Hosdere, Turkey and will all have been delivered to the customer by 20 December 2012. The 18-metre low-floor bus can carry up to 160 passengers. The Conecto G meets the demand of public local transport operators for a robust and economical vehicle with low maintenance and repair costs coupled with high levels of reliability and a long useful life.

Credits: Daimler AG

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BBS takes delivery of Setra intercity coaches with Euro VI drive

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BBS Brandner Bus Schwaben in Günzburg has added three Setra S 417 UL intercity coaches to its fleet. The new Setra MultiClass 400 vehicles are already equipped with Euro VI engines – this means that the Swabian bus company is already relying on drive technology today that will not be prescribed by law until 2014. The three-axle coaches will help the company, which has been a Setra partner for many years, to assume a pioneering role in terms of the environmental compatibility of its regular bus services in the districts of Günzburg, Neu-Ulm, Augsburg-Land and Unterallgäu.

"As a future-oriented company, we consider it self-evident that we should have the latest bus technology in our fleet as standard", said Managing Director Josef Brandner at the official handover of the coaches at the Ulm-based Daimler brand's customer centre in Neu-Ulm: "Our passengers can depend on being able to travel in the most environmentally compatible buses that are currently available on the market for this segment." The three S 417 UL models seat 61 passengers and are equipped with the in-line, six-cylinder OM 470 engines from the newly developed MB Blue Efficiency Power engine series. The powerful 265-kW (360-hp) engine with a displacement of 10.7 litres already meets the Euro VI emissions standard today, and guarantees its operators a high level of economic efficiency, thanks to its long service life and low consumption of fuel, AdBlue and engine oil.

BBS Brandner Reisen GmbH offers a wide range of city bus and touring coach services

BBS Brandner Bus Schwaben is a family-run business with branch offices in Thannhausen, Krumbach and Günzburg. The grandfather of the current managing director, Josef Brandner, started the first regular bus services back in 1926. Some years later, operations were expanded to include the first group travel services. Today, BBS Reisen Brandner GmbH operates 110 buses on public transport routes and also offers an extensive range of individual and group travel services.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Mercedes-Benz at the FIAA in Madrid new chassis complying with the Euro VI emissions standard

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Euro VI is coming - Mercedes-Benz is already there: at the FIAA show in Madrid from 23 – 26 October 2012 the brand will be presenting a new generation of bus chassis designed to comply with the future Euro VI emissions standard. The OC 500 LE chassis for regular service buses and OC 500 RF chassis for touring coaches are made in Spain, where Mercedes-Benz is the sole manufacturer of bus chassis.

New engines: clean, fuel-efficient, durable, powerful

The core of the new chassis generation is the newly developed powertrain for the Euro VI emissions standard. The chassis centre around a totally new generation of engines forming part of the BlueEfficiency Power concept. The engines already comply with the Euro VI emissions standard in all power ratings. Common features include the basic technical configuration with common rail injection and emission control using SCR technology with AdBlue injection, as well as an oxidation catalytic converter connected in series and a particulate filter.

All the engines combine impressive performance with lively acceleration right from the low rev range and extremely smooth running with low fuel, AdBlue and engine oil consumption while displaying exemplary environmental credentials. Despite the engines' compliance with Euro VI, fuel consumption is generally below that of the predecessor engines. A further notable feature is the long intervals of up to 120,000 km for engine oil changes in touring use.

The new Mercedes-Benz OM 936 six-cylinder in-line engine is particularly compact and light. It comes in two variants generating 220 kW (299 hp) and 260 kW (354 hp) from a displacement of 7.7 l. This engine is to be deployed both in the low-entry Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis and the two-axle touring coach chassis of the OC 500 RF series.

The equally new OM 470 six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 10.7 litres belongs to the heavy-duty class. Tailor-made for use in the touring coach chassis of the OC 500 RF series, it is available in two power ratings – 290 kW (394 hp) and 315 kW (428 hp).

The positioning of the engines corresponds to that in the fully equipped buses from Mercedes-Benz with high-floor rear-end: as a general rule the exhaust system is now installed on the left side, the cooling on the right. The radiator unit is separated from the engine by a bulkhead and is also encapsulated on top.

Manual, fully automated and automatic transmissions

The engine power on the OC 500 RF is transmitted as standard via manual six-speed transmissions from Mercedes-Benz. A new development is the Mercedes-Benz GO 250-8 PowerShift fully automated eight-speed bus transmission. This progressive transmission now offers even faster and more comfortable gear shifting. The shift mechanism is completely new: all functions are conveniently and compactly incorporated in a steering column switch.

The OC 500 LE regular service bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz comes with the ZF EcoLife automatic transmission with torque converter. This transmission is equally ideal for urban and rural regular-service buses and is also suitable for buses based on the OC 500 RF.

A new retarder is employed in conjunction with all manual transmissions. It uses the engine cooling water as a braking and cooling medium. The previously necessary oil/water heat exchanger is no longer required. The new design results in a weight reduction of around 30 kg, accompanied by an increase in continuous braking power.

Defining features of the modified Mercedes-Benz RO 440 drive axle are low weight, low friction, quiet running, further improved suspension and enhanced ride comfort. The load-carrying capacity has risen to over 12 tons.

High-tech to cut added Euro VI weight

The new rear axle is one of numerous components by means of which the developers have managed to largely offset the unavoidable increase in weight relating to compliance with Euro VI. Other measures concern high-strength steels for the frame, the lighter retarder, lighter yet higher-capacity alternators and the new encapsulation under the engine.

Proven and popular worldwide: chassis from Sámano

EvoBus Ibérica produces buses for all types of use in Sámano/Spain. Its customers include Spanish coach builders and markets throughout the world. The chassis are produced in buggy design with a transport frame and undergo cathodic dip priming to ensure optimum anti-corrosion protection.

Credits: Daimler AG

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Record Run Buses 2012 started today: unique efficiency test for Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro and Setra ComfortClass 500

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The green flag has dropped for the Record Run Buses 2012: At 2 p.m. in Wiesbaden today, Martin Zeilinger, head of product engineering testing drive technology and product quality Daimler Buses, sent off five Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses on an unprecedented efficiency test. The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban regular-service bus and the new Setra ComfortClass 500 high-deck touring coach are to prove that buses meeting Euro VI emission standards can consume less fuel than their predecessor models. Between 22 and 26 October 2012 three Citaros and two Setra ComfortClass coaches will cover a distance of some 20,000 kilometres in comparative drives under impartial supervision.

Five buses in five-day major efficiency test

Start and finish line for the three Mercedes-Benz Citaros and the two Setras of the ComfortClass 500 is Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse. With the exception of two refuelling stops each day, the five buses will operate around the clock for five days straight.

Three Citaros to run in urban regular service in Wiesbaden

For the urban bus comparison the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro will compete as a standard bus with OM 936 h engine and 220 kW (299 hp) against its predecessor. The Euro V Citaro starts in two versions: powered by the OM 906 hLA engine and 210 kW (286 hp) of power and the OM 457 hLA engine (220 kW/299 hp). In each case power is transferred by the fully automatic ZF Ecolife torque converter transmission. Also identical is the final drive ratio of i=5.771.

All Citaros will operate in line service on the demanding route 17 in Wiesbaden. It traverses the city centre of Hesse’s capital including the pedestrian zone and outlying areas. However, the test vehicles are loaded with ballast in place of passengers.

To ensure realistic operating conditions, each of the buses will follow behind an urban bus of the Wiesbaden transport authorities in regular service. To prevent the three test buses from influencing one another they will stop several minutes apart. Route 17 is 18.6 km long with a 400-m change in elevation. The buses will complete about 20 round trips each day. The buses will stop at each bus stop where the buses will be lowered using the kneeling function and the passenger doors will be opened.

Two Setras will complete 1800 km on motorways each day

In the touring coach comparison the Euro VI-certified Setra ComfortClass S 515 HD will compete against its Setra ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD predecessor. The two-axle high-deck touring coaches each measure a little over 12 metres in length. The ComfortClass S 515 HD is powered by the OM 470 engine with 315 kW (428 hp). Its OM 457 LA predecessor in the ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD has the identical power output. The touring coaches are equipped with the Mercedes GO 250-8 PowerShift (ComfortClass 500) respectively the Mercedes GO 240-8 PowerShift transmission. Their gear ratios are identical as is the final drive ratio of i=3.583 of both high-deck coaches.

The touring coaches also use Wiesbaden as the starting point, in this case for a trip to Leipzig. From there they will make a 897-km daytime loop on the A 38, A 71, A 70, A 9, A 72, A 4 and A 14 motorways from Leipzig via Erfurt, Schweinfurt, Bayreuth, Dresden to Bautzen and back. At night the two Setras will drive a 929-km route that leads from Leipzig via Potsdam to Hamburg and back on the A 9, A 10 and A 24 motorways.

In this way the touring coaches will cover a distance of almost 1800 km a day. Some 90 per cent of the distance will be driven on motorways, the remaining ten per cent on main and country roads. The legal speed limit of 100 km/h or 80 km/h will be observed whenever possible.

Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored

In addition to the transmissions and the final drive ratios, the loads as well as the tyre brand and tread depth are also identical within each respective model series. The three Mercedes-Benz Citaros are loaded at 50 per cent of capacity with exactly 3.5 tonnes of ballast. The touring coaches of the Setra ComfortClass are designed for a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes.
All buses will have been broken in at the start of the Record Run Buses 2012 with around 10,000 km on the odometer. The buses will be driven by skilled test drivers as well by trainers from Omniplus Ecotraining. A crew of two drivers mans each of the buses. The buses will be operated in three shifts around the clock. In addition, the drivers for the Record Run Buses 2012 on route 17 in Wiesbaden have received briefings from driving instructors of the transport authority.

The test vehicles and their operations will be monitored by Dekra, an independent specialist automotive organisation. All components relevant to fuel consumption as well as the fuel tanks will be sealed; all refuelling stops will be monitored. All refuelling stops will be at the same filling stations in Wiesbaden or Leipzig and even at the same pumps. Even the position of the vehicles at each pump is defined. Furthermore, the tyre pressure is checked at each refuelling stop.

The buses are also equipped with instruments for measuring fuel consumption. Any movement of the five buses in the Record Run Buses 2012 can be monitored with the help of the FleetBoard telematics system.

Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 20,000 km on 26 October 2012

All five buses will cross the finish line of the Record Run Buses 2012 in Wiesbaden around midday on 26 October 2012. By that time the touring coaches will each have covered a distance of some 9000 km, the urban regular-service buses each just shy of 1500 km. All recorded data will be analysed over the weekend that follows and the eagerly awaited results will be announced at a press conference on 29 October 2012.

Citaro and ComfortClass 500: maximum efficiency

The engineers from Daimler Buses employed all available means to achieve maximum efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and the Setra ComfortClass 500. A multitude of measures counteract the inevitable added weight of the additional or larger components that the move from Euro V to Euro VI entails. For this reason the new ComfortClass 500 actually weighs less than the predecessor model.

The centrepieces of the drive system are the new BlueEfficiency Power engines. Both the in-line six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 936 h engine in the Citaro as a standard bus and the OM 470 engine in the Setra ComfortClass 500 are characterised by robustness, longevity and maximum cost-efficiency with regard to fuel, motor oil and AdBlue consumption, as well as by long maintenance intervals. A typical trait of the engines is a high torque at very low engine speeds and an excellent throttle response. Both qualities are part of the prerequisites for successfully taking the place of the predecessor engines that to some extent had significantly more displacement – the keyword in this context is downsizing.

In addition to the drive system the development engineers carefully examined the ancillary components with an eye on fuel economy and longevity, for the Mercedes-Benz Citaro as well as for the Setra ComfortClass 500. Alternators, battery management, radiator fan and air compressor – these and other components play a major role in fuel consumption and in both model series were optimised down to the last detail.

Citaro Euro VI: ancillary components optimised in particular

Two distinctive features on the Euro VI-certified Citaro deserve special mention, both of which are major factors in an urban regular-service bus. A lowered entrance height reduces the amount of air needed for kneeling and consequently the amount of energy required. The second point concerns the energy management: free electricity generated in overrun mode is stored in dual-layer capacitors (supercaps) and is available the next time for acceleration. This relieves the burden on the alternators and consequently reduces fuel consumption.

Setra ComfortClass 500: outstanding aerodynamics

Outstanding aerodynamic properties are essential for the Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach. From the rounded front with Aquablade clipless wipers and optimised exterior mirrors to smooth flanks and the tapered rear with its separation edge, the aerodynamic efficiency of the ComfortClass 500 sets new touring coach benchmarks. The result is an outstanding drag coefficient of just 0.33. The drag is also reduced by a trick that is unmatched in the industry: at speeds of 95 km/h and above the bus is lowered by 20 mm.

Prediction: reduction in fuel consumption between four and six per cent

The development engineers of Daimler Buses expect these measures to add up to a reduction in fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro by four to five per cent as the result of the move from Euro V to Euro VI emission standards. For the switch from the Setra ComfortClass 400 to the new ComfortClass 500 the engineers expect a fuel economy advantage for the new model of five to six per cent. In both cases the improved fuel economy goes hand in hand with a significant reduction in AdBlue consumption. These predictions must now be substantiated under real-life conditions during the Record Run Buses 2012.

Credits: Daimler AG

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