Mercedes Benz Intouro: Intercity all-rounder bearing the star now even safer

• Great versatility in use, ample range
• The safe Intouro is now even safer
• New: MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors optionally available
• New: bright LED headlamps as an optional extra
• Focus on economy: Intouro hybrid
• Modular equipment from intercity routes to excursions

Maximum economy and flexibility, maximum functionality and tailor-made comfort for specific applications, all protected by pioneering assistance systems: The Mercedes‑Benz Intouro intercity bus raises the bar for buses in intercity and excursion operation to a new level and with its modular equipment, it adapts perfectly to its individual tasks.

Great versatility in use, ample range

The Mercedes‑Benz Intouro covers an enormous range of applications. It ranges from the high-floor intercity bus with luggage compartment for use as a school and shuttle bus, as well as in works transport as a company shuttle bus, to a comfortable bus for day trips and weekend trips.

The safe Intouro is now even safer

Among other things, the electrics/electronics platform of the Intouro forms the basis for the latest assistance systems. That's why, at its premiere, the Intouro was setting a new standard for intercity buses with the Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) emergency braking assistance system. The safe Intouro has now become even safer in the run-up to the forthcoming General Safety Regulation (GSR) within the EU and in other European countries.

The new, optional Active Brake Assist 6 emergency braking assistant is even more capable. Features include: it detects moving or stationary persons and cyclists in front of the vehicle and can independently implement emergency braking. With ABA 6, accidents can be avoided even more reliably. The system covers the entire speed range of the vehicle and is active in the background.

The Sideguard Assist 2 turning assistant reacts and outputs an even more precise warning if there is a risk of collision with pedestrians and cyclists. Previously available for the door side, it will also be used for the driver's side in the future. Frontguard Assist is completely new. It warns of obstacles or people directly in front of the vehicle.

Sideguard Assist 2 and Frontguard Assist combine to create a complete warning system that warns of obstacles and people at the sides and in front of the vehicle. Together with the standard reversing camera or, even more so, the optional 360° camera system, the driver is provided with a comprehensive warning system for all aspects of his bus.

The intelligent Traffic Sign Assist traffic sign assistant is a further new feature. It warns the driver if the permissible speed is exceeded. Finally, Adaptive Cruise Control (ART), the Tyre Pressure Monitoring system (TPM) and the Attention Assist (AtAs) attention assistance system as well as an interface for the use of alcohol testers for the driver's workplace have been adopted as standard equipment.

New: MirrorCam instead of outside mirrors optionally available as from mid-2024

Another eye-catching feature is the MirrorCam, which will be available as an optional extra instead of the conventional outside mirrors as from the middle of next year. The images from the cameras are transmitted to 15-inch monitors mounted on the inside of the A-pillars. An additional camera and a second compact monitor ensure a view of the front right-hand corner of the vehicle.

The MirrorCam combines numerous advantages. These include the extended field of vision for the driver, significantly better visibility in the dark, less dirt, less manoeuvring damage and a further reduction of fuel consumption thanks to a smaller front section.

New: bright LED headlamps as an optional extra

Light is safety, LED light delivers even more safety: as an alternative to the standard halogen H7 headlamps, the Mercedes‑Benz Intouro is now optionally available with LED headlamps. This has numerous advantages: its light colour is similar to daylight, therefore causing less eye fatigue than halogen or xenon headlamps. Above all, the main beam ensures significantly better illumination of the roadway than other lighting technologies. In addition, the service life of LED lamps roughly corresponds to the vehicle service life. This reduces the necessity of bulb replacement, which saves money and downtime. At the same time, the transition increases safety: an Intouro with LED lamps will not be travelling on the roads with just one working headlamp.

A new light signature is also being introduced with the new headlamp generation. Whether halogen or LED headlamps: position lamps, daytime running lights and turn signal lamps, all in LED technology, are now combined in a strikingly curved light rod. The new rear lamps of the Intouro are also an eye-catcher.

Focus on economy: Intouro hybrid

The outstanding aerodynamics of the Intouro reduce fuel consumption and wind noise in the vehicle interior. If frequent motorway journeys are on the agenda to cover short trips, the optional equipment to lower the body at high speeds is recommended for reducing fuel consumption.

The hybrid variant of the Intouro opens up further potential for savings. The basic function of the Intouro hybrid is extremely simple: the core component is an additional electric motor that works as an alternator in the braking and overrun phases of the bus and converts braking energy into electricity. This current is stored in capacitors, also known as supercaps. The consequently generated current is available to the electric motor to support the combustion engine, especially in the case of high power requirements: when moving off, but also when accelerating and to support idling.

Both of these factors combine to reduce the already low fuel consumption. In the Intouro, it is particularly apparent in inner-city and urban-area traffic when drivers are constantly changing between accelerator and brake, and amounts to up to five percent in this respect.

Another major advantage is that the Intouro hybrid dispenses with a complex, high-voltage network. The intercity bus has a separate 48-volt network. It is low-voltage technology and safe to handle.

Modular equipment from intercity routes to excursions

The passenger compartment of the Intouro boasts a modular design. Its equipment covers a wide range from the strictly cost-oriented intercity bus to the comfortable version for excursions and short trips.

The centre door is a single-leaf door version. As an option the Intouro can also be equipped with a two-leaf centre door to ensure fast passenger turnaround. The wide two-leaf variant provides the prerequisite for the optional equipment with a semi-automatic or fully automatic lift for transporting passengers with restricted mobility. For use on intercity regular-service routes, a special-purpose area opposite the centre door is provided that offers space for standing passengers and allows for the transport of a pram or wheelchair.

Alternatively, the Intouro can be supplied with full seating or a quickly removable, interchangeable platform opposite the centre door. In the area around the double-width centre door, a swivelling double seat is optionally available for maximising seating capacity on longer intercity routes or in works traffic operation.

Passenger compartment: generous sense of space, high-quality design

Passengers benefit from a generous sense of spaciousness. In terms of seating, transport operators can choose between the functional Inter Star Eco (ISE) intercity seating for regular-service operation and the comfortable Travel Star Eco (TSE) travel seating. Depending on the application, the Intouro can be designed without luggage racks and air ducts, with air ducts but without luggage racks, with luggage racks featuring an open base, typical of regular-service buses, and with luggage racks featuring a closed base for excursions, weekend trips and holiday tours. In terms of comfort equipment, there is a choice of air ducts without service sets for cost-optimised applications, individually adjustable reading lamps or air vents above each passenger seat as well as a combination of these.

The versatility of the Mercedes‑Benz Intouro is underlined by a special exterior and interior equipment package for excursions and short trips: with this, bus operators can further refine the Intouro and raise it to the level of a well-maintained touring coach.

The Intouro's heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are also designed to meet requirements. The side windows can be single or double-glazed. Operators also have a choice when it comes to air conditioning. The traditional, roof-mounted air-conditioning system is particularly powerful. It distributes the cooled air in the passenger compartment via roof ducts. If temperature control of the passenger compartment is sufficient in regions with a mild climate, a version with two roof-mounted air-conditioning modules is a cost-effective alternative.

Functional and driver-oriented cockpit at touring coach level

As with all Mercedes‑Benz buses, the driver's area of the Intouro is ergonomically perfect and designed to focus on the driver. From its look and controls to the instrument cluster including colour display, the high-quality cockpit achieves a fully-fledged touring coach standard.

The cockpit's extensive equipment includes a multifunction steering wheel and a rain/light sensor. On the left-hand side of the instrument panel, drivers have elements including the knob for the standard electronic parking brake at hand.

Engine and drive system: powerful, economical and tailor-made

The drive system of the Intouro is based on economical components that have proven themselves many times over. They are perfectly matched to one another. Depending on the model, six-cylinder in-line engines are available with output ratings from 220 kW (299 hp) to 290 kW (394 hp).

Depending on the version, a six-speed manual transmission, the fully automated eight-speed Mercedes-Benz GO 250‑8 PowerShift bus transmission or an automatic transmission with torque converter from Voith or ZF are available for power transmission. In any case, the drive power is transferred to the economical and silently running Mercedes‑Benz RO 440 hypoid axle, which has proven its worth thousands of times over. It has been specially developed for use in buses.

Omniplus: digital is completely normal

Another advantage of the Intouro is the comprehensive service provided by the Omniplus service brand. This applies to services ranging from changing the oil of low-emission diesel engines to supplying spare parts – now increasingly 3D-printed on site. Dealers can purchase parts 24/7 from the Omniplus eShop. Genuine remanufactured parts optimise the cost balance and the CO₂ footprint. Tailor-made service contracts provide security and cost transparency, as well as the diverse and continuously expanded digital services of Omniplus On such as the real-time monitoring of Omniplus On Uptime and Uptime pro. Digital has long been completely normal for Omniplus.