Daimler Buses at FIAA 2024: focus on electromobility, safety and sustainability

• Mercedes-Benz: electromobility for city buses, the economical Intouro, comprehensively enhanced Tourismo high-decker touring coach
• Setra: new MultiClass LE, further upgraded ComfortClass and TopClass touring coaches
• Mercedes-Benz and Setra: new and enhanced assistance systems
• MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors on request
• OMNIplus: sustainable, secure, digital and with innovative services
• BusStore: quality brand for used buses and touring coaches

Madrid, October 22nd – The exhibition booth covers 1295 square meters and showcases 6 buses and touring coaches from Mercedes-Benz and Setra, along with a Mercedes-Benz chassis. Additionally, there will be a ZEV vehicle available for test drives. The event features a focus on electromobility, safety, and sustainability, highlighting numerous innovations in buses and touring coaches, as well as new and innovative services from the Omniplus service brand. Daimler Buses is demonstrating its innovative capabilities at FIAA, emphasizing its leadership in the shift to electromobility, the development of advanced safety and assistance systems, and sustainable transport solutions for both regular-service buses and touring coaches in Europe and globally.

Mercedes‑Benz: eMobility for city buses, the economical Intouro, comprehensively enhanced Tourismo 

In public transport, there is no single customer scenario for electric buses – the use cases vary, for example depending on the range and topography. Thus, we want to give our customers choices and meet their needs best.

Our all-battery electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city bus has been in series production since 2018. Since 2023, the vehicle has also been available with a hydrogen-based fuel cell as a range extender. Our electric bus also offers different ways of charging technology, meeting individual requirements of the transport companies. Innovative thermal management ensures efficient energy consumption and forms the basis for a practical range.

The versatile and economical Mercedes‑Benz Intouro hybrid intercity bus, the all-electric eCitaro fuel cell solo bus will be exhibited. These vehicles define the high level of development of locally emission-free city buses. Anyone wanting to experience this live at the wheel or ride along will also have the opportunity to do so: a Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell is available for test drives outside.

The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo represents the level of contemporary high-decker touring coaches in the business segment. It has undergone crucial further development combining cost-effectiveness, safety and comfort.

Vehicles bearing the Mercedes star are equipped with a wide array of new safety and assistance systems, reaffirming that Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with safety once again.

Focus on eMobility Ecosystems

Daimler Buses aims to further strengthen its eMobility business by offering comprehensive solutions from a single source. Recognizing the growing demand for holistic, integrated services, Daimler Buses is positioning itself as a leader in the electric mobility sector. As operators of electric fleets increasingly seek all-in-one packages that simplify the transition to electric vehicles, Daimler Buses, in collaboration with various partners, is equipped to deliver complete turnkey e-infrastructure for depots. These turnkey solutions encompass everything from the installation of charging stations and energy management systems to the provision of maintenance services and training programs for staff.

Currently, the company is engaged in over 20 projects and has been serving customers across Europe since mid-2023.

Through its comprehensive eMobility solutions, Daimler Buses not only supports the electrification of public transport but also helps reduce the overall environmental impact of urban mobility. By providing all necessary components and services from a single source, the company simplifies the adoption of electric vehicles for bus operators, making it easier for cities to achieve their sustainability goals.

Setra: new MultiClass LE, further upgraded, fascinating touring coaches, extravagant appearance

Setra remains synonymous with safety, a commitment showcased through the innovations featured in FIAA. The recently unveiled Setra MultiClass LE model series is represented by a S 515 LE hybrid. This model stands out as an exceptionally versatile and efficient intercity bus with a low-entry design, catering to diverse transportation needs while ensuring optimal safety and performance. The S 515 LE hybrid not only emphasizes Setra's continuous advancements in safety technology but also underscores their commitment to sustainable and efficient transport solutions.

The fascinating touring coaches also benefit from these: the Setra ComfortClass high-decker, and the stylishly upgraded Setra S 531 DT double-decker touring coach. Celebrating their premiere, two years ago, they are already taking the next step, once again emphasising their technological leadership role. A dash of extravagance is a must for Setra: this applies to the selected comfort equipment in the touring coaches as well as their appearance with warm and unmistakable honey yellow metallic paintwork – a Setra is always a statement.

Mercedes‑Benz and Setra: new and enhanced assistance systems, MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors on request

Daimler Buses focuses on safety: the Mercedes‑Benz Buses and Setra brands from Daimler Buses are already traditionally pioneers of new safety technologies and assistance systems. At FIAA in Madrid, Daimler Buses is displaying a comprehensive range of new and enhanced assistance systems.

The new Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) emergency braking assistant for touring coaches and high-floor buses uses a combination of short and long-range radar sensors as well as a camera. ABA 6 can now independently implement emergency braking in reaction to all kinds of pedestrians and cyclists. It also reacts even more accurately to stationary obstacles along wide bends and even more reliably to multi-lane traffic, lane changes and alternating traffic.

Daimler Buses is introducing Preventive Brake Assist 2 for low-floor buses, the next generation of the world's first active braking assistance system for specialised regular-service buses. This system can react to stationary and moving objects, including pedestrians and cyclists. It can now handle several objects at the same time and, within the system limits, offer improved detection of objects beyond the carriageway.

The new Sideguard Assist 2 turning assistant, which is also radar-based, reacts and, thanks to a new sensor concept, warns even more accurately if there is a risk of collision with pedestrians, cyclists and stationary obstacles. The system is now also used for the driver's side. This makes turning left even safer.

Frontguard Assist is completely new. This system is also radar-based. It detects and warns of obstacles or people directly in front of the vehicle up to a speed of 15 km/h. Sideguard Assist 2 and Frontguard Assist combine to provide a complete warning system for obstacles and people to the side and in front of the vehicle.

Also new is the intelligent Traffic Sign Assist speed assistant. It compares the current speed of the vehicle with the permissible vehicle speed and warns the driver if the permitted speed is exceeded.

All Mercedes‑Benz and Setra bus and touring coach model series, whether these are city buses, intercity buses or touring coaches, are optionally available with MirrorCam instead of the previously installed outside mirrors. The advantages are an extended field of vision for the driver through the windows and significantly better visibility to the rear in the dark thanks to residual light amplification. The small area of the camera lens is less susceptible to dirt. Compared with conventional mirrors, MirrorCam barely or only slightly protrudes beyond the vehicle edges. This means easier manoeuvring and less damage. Finally, the area of the vehicle facing forwards is reduced, which has a positive effect on fuel consumption.

OMNIplus: sustainable, secure, digital and with innovative services

OMNIplus, the Daimler Buses service brand, is displaying new and proven service solutions in Madrid. The focus is on sustainability, security, and digitalisation. Sustainability starts with the manufacturing process, for instance the production of genuine parts. In this context, OMNIplus has developed solutions, such as the remanufacturing of parts, 3D printing or the second life for high-voltage batteries. Omniplus training courses serve to ensure the safety of the vehicle, passengers and drivers. The new Premium Dynamic and Premium Regional Dynamic service contracts, which allow for dynamic monthly service rates based on the actual mileage of the vehicles, ensure both safety and economy.

Another important focus concentrates on digital services, which have become an indispensable tool for many bus and touring coach operators to improve the availability and economic efficiency of their fleet. From the new Omniplus On performance analysis and Omniplus On Uptime pro, the offer for businesses running their own workshop, to the Remote Charge Control feature for electric buses, Omniplus is expanding its digital services.

For example, Daimler Buses is one of the first vehicle manufacturers in Europe to offer its customers a data interface for remote bus monitoring that has been certified according to the universal international ITxPT standard: the virtual TiGR data interface (Telediagnostic for intelligent Garage in Real time). Thanks to the harmonised interface with a universal transmission protocol, operators can now simplify vehicle analyses and obtain a homogeneous data basis for their entire fleet.

BusStore: quality brand for used buses and touring coaches

BusStore, the international quality brand for used buses and touring coaches under the umbrella of Daimler Buses has become the European market leader in the sector and has continuously expanded its network.

Mercedes‑Benz and Setra-branded buses and touring coaches have been the focus of the BusStore range since the beginning; today they make up more than three quarters of all purchases and sales. In addition, all common bus and coach brands are also included in the sales lists. Clear and universal classifications, financing, warranties, service contracts, retrofits such as the turning assistant, and leasing offers form the basis for the success of the BusStore used bus and touring coach brand.