Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach: a new dimension of safety

• All new: Active Brake Assist 6, Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist
• Brand-typical design, striking Yellowstone paint finish
• Premium Comfort Plus cockpit, elegant and user-friendly
• Contemporary passenger compartment design with comfortable Luxline seats
• Entertainment electronics with high-level networking
• Top-of-the-range engine: The engine, transmission and axle all bear the Mercedes star
• PPC and EDF support the driver and minimise consumption

Even safer, more comfortable, highly economical and innovative – the fully upgraded Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is the benchmark in its highdecker coach category. This is emphasised by the appealing Safety Coach test vehicle during the media days at IAA Transportation 2024.

All new: Active Brake Assist 6, Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist

Just the list of the safety and assistance systems installed in the test bus already makes it clear that the Safety Coach lives up to its name. The new, even more powerful Active Brake Assist 6 emergency braking assistant is also on board, as are Sideguard Assist 2, the completely new Frontguard Assist and the new Traffic Sign Assist, which warns the driver of excessive speed. The systems also include Lane Assist (SPA), Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ART) with additional stop-and-go function, Attention Assist (AtAs), Brake Assist (BA), Continuous Braking Limiter (DBL), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), rain/light sensor and the 360° camera system. Most of the new and advanced assistance systems also form part of the standard equipment for all newly registered coaches of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Brand-typical design, striking Yellowstone paint finish

The two-axle touring coach with a length of around 12.30 metres boasts new, powerful LED headlamps and new tail lamps. The Yellowstone paintwork is both striking and elegant. The test vehicle has special Safety Coach decor. The anthracite arrow decor pointing in the direction of travel, combined with the distinctive arrow highlighted in cardinal red at the height of the rear axle, highlights the dynamic lines of the body and at the same time impressively expresses the safety of the Tourismo Safety Coach when travelling.

Premium Comfort Plus cockpit, elegant and user-friendly

The test vehicle features a high-class equipment specification. This is already evident in the high-quality Comfort Plus cockpit. The multifunction steering wheel in the test vehicle is finished in leather. Behind it, the instruments and controls are arranged clearly. The new Coach Infotainment Series multimedia system with DAB+ radio, 7-inch monitor – as well as touch, voice and button control – clearly combines navigation, operation of the entertainment electronics, and telephony.

The daytime running lights, low and main beam headlamps, fog lamps and clearance lamps are all designed with long-lasting and fail-safe LED technology. When manoeuvring at night, the surround lighting – with LED lights directly in front of the rear axle –provides additional support. The 360° camera system with cameras on all four sides of the bus provides a perfect all-round view from a bird’s-eye perspective, and thus additional safety when manoeuvring and in narrow spaces.

The test bus is equipped with the optional MirrorCam camera system instead of conventional exterior mirrors. 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.

Contemporary passenger compartment design with Luxline seats

Passengers enter the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo through wide entrances. The wood-look flooring is both inviting and cosy. Yellow curtains add a pop of colour to the interior. There are 44 seats available for passengers. The seat cushion and backrest surfaces of the comfortable Luxline seats are upholstered in an understated grey fabric. The anthracite-coloured side bolsters and black head restraints made of a composite leather-fibre material round off the harmonious impression. The side piping in bold yellow creates an effective colour contrast. The Mercedes star is embedded in the backrest surface.

Entertainment electronics with high-level networking

The new Coach Infotainment Series is at the heart of the entertainment electronics of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach. The new system accommodates all the latest-generation media: DAB+ radio reception, Bluetooth audio streaming, smartphone connection via Bluetooth and USB, and HDMI (such as to a laptop). Operation is possible by touch on the 7-inch monitor in the cockpit, but also by voice control or with traditional buttons and rotary controls. The driver can also control the volume and phone functions using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

A Wi-Fi network with Internet connection is available in the passenger compartment. Two large monitors (21.5 in/54.4 cm) deliver a brilliant picture in full HD quality. USB ports are available at each double seat so that passengers can charge their devices.

Kitchenette: for all food and drinks

The spacious refrigerator box in the front end of the test vehicle can hold a large supply of drinks for passengers. Another refrigerator is located in the kitchenette behind the central entrance. The kitchenette is also equipped with a 40-cup coffee maker, water heater, sausage cooker and sink. A stowage compartment for kitchen supplies is provided above the entrance. The multi-purpose space behind the central entrance can be used as further stowage space. It can be easily loaded from the outside via the flap and is accessible from the inside via a roller shutter. A waste bin in the central entrance with dual sorting and a container in the luggage compartment conveniently handle waste. The washroom/toilet in the central entrance is equipped for the necessary functions. Meanwhile, the toilet can be switched between water and chemical flushing.

Spacious luggage compartment with hinged flaps

The luggage compartment capacity of the test vehicle is generous despite the built-in on-board toilet. Up to 8.7 m³ of luggage can be stowed behind the hinged flaps on the right and left. This corresponds to 197 litres of luggage space per passenger. This size is also sufficient for large holiday luggage. The hinged luggage compartment flaps can be locked separately on the left and right via the central locking system. Additional stowage compartments can be found on the left and right above the rear axle.

The engine, transmission and axle all bear the Mercedes star

The perfectly coordinated drivetrain of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo consists of components from a single source. The engine, transmission and drive axle all bear the Mercedes star and are all bus-specific components.

The test vehicle is equipped with the top-of-the-range Tourismo engine. The Euro VI-compliant Mercedes-Benz OM 470 in-line six-cylinder engine provides 335 kW (456 hp) from a displacement of 10.7 litres and delivers a maximum torque of 2200 Nm. This results in superior performance of the two-axle vehicle, along with outstanding efficiency. In addition to the comparatively compact and lightweight design, the benefits of the engine include its astonishing elasticity, high pulling power at low revs, and immediate responsiveness. The emission control system combines SCR technology with AdBlue injection, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR catalytic converter.

Power is transferred by the fully automated Mercedes-Benz GO 250-8 eight-speed PowerShift transmission. With its progressive gear spacing and wide ratio spread, the specialised coach transmission is precisely configured for use in coaches.

The test vehicle’s final-drive ratio of i = 3.583 corresponds to an engine speed of exactly 1,189 rpm at a speed of 100 km/h in top gear. With this ratio, the highdecker is extremely fuel efficient and quiet on motorways and benefits from its large power reserves on uphill gradients.

The outstanding aerodynamics of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, with its exceptional drag coefficient of Cd = 0.33, ensure low fuel consumption. The automatic lowering of the body at speeds above 79 km/h also contributes to this. Equipped as standard, this function reduces the frontal area and thus the aerodynamic drag. Drivers and passengers in the front seat rows also benefit from the Tourismo’s aerodynamics, which produce exceptionally low wind noise.

PPC and EDF support the driver and minimise consumption

Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) contributes to even greater efficiency and at the same time relaxation behind the wheel. The anticipatory cruise control knows the current position of the coach and the altitude profile of the route ahead. Based on numerous parameters, PPC not only regulates the speed, but also intervenes in the transmission and proactively selects the right gear at the right time. In addition, PPC also uses EcoRoll technology, which when appropriate, puts the transmission in neutral, allowing the coach to coast without drag losses, thus reducing fuel consumption.

The driver receives further support from Eco Driver Feedback: EDF evaluates the personal driving style of the coach driver based on numerous parameters and provides individual feedback and suggestions. The driver thus knows their current performance and receives concrete suggestions for improvement if necessary.

Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach: Technical data