Revolutionary Advancements in Mercedes-Benz OC 500 Chassis: Enhanced Safety, Efficiency, and Driver Support

• Superior Safety: Active Brake Assist 5 and Sideguard Assist 2
• Maximum Efficiency: Significantly reduced fuel consumption
• Holistic economic efficiency: Telematics and driver assistance
• Focus on the driver: Enhanced comfort and control
• Versatile applications: Comprehensive chassis options

With the latest features in the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 Chassis designed for Euro VI engines, Daimler Buses introduces groundbreaking technological advancements. The addition of the emergency braking system Active Brake Assist 6 and the turning assistant Sideguard Assist 2 brings unique assistance systems to the forefront. Numerous individual measures contribute to a significant reduction in fuel consumption. Drivers enjoy cutting-edge operating systems, and even more features are available for bodybuilders.

The chassis is offered in the OC 500 RF (Raised Floor) and OC 500 LE (Low Entry) variants, all manufactured at our factory in Sámano, Cantabria.

Superior Safety: Active Brake Assist 6 and Sideguard Assist 2

At the core of the new generation of Mercedes-Benz OC 500 Chassis is a revamped electrical and electronic architecture, forming the foundation of the new assistance systems.

Introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2008, the Active Brake Assist has seen continuous improvement and now delivers enhanced performance. Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) is a good example of overfulfilment of the GSR. The system is able to respond to pedestrians and cyclists up to a speed of 60 km/h – for ABA 5 this was already 50 km/h. The ABA 6 safety system can react to cyclists and people who are crossing the road, approaching the vehicle or walking in the vehicle’s lane with automatic emergency braking.

An added feature of Active Brake Assist 6 is Tempomat with Adaptive Cruise Control (ART). This system eases the driver’s workload on highways by automatically braking the bus to maintain a speed-dependent distance from slower vehicles ahead.

The outstanding new safety features of the OC 500 chassis include the enhanced Sideguard Assist 2 system, which provides even more accurate warnings of potential collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the all-new Frontguard Assist has been introduced to alert drivers to obstacles or individuals directly in front of the vehicle. Combined, Sideguard Assist 2 and Frontguard Assist form a comprehensive safety network, monitoring for hazards both in front and on the sides of the vehicle to enhance overall safety.

Maximum efficiency: Significantly reduced fuel consumption

Through a range of measures, developers have further reduced fuel consumption and emissions. The optional Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) intelligent adaptive cruise control plays a key role in this. It integrates topography-adapted driving into the automatic transmission and, along with a precisely tuned transmission strategy, enables noticeable fuel savings. PPC predicts vehicle acceleration, uses coasting phases with EcoRoll, and automatically adjusts gear selection based on the topography and road conditions. In addition to satellite-based positioning, PPC uses precise 3D maps.

The latest PPC generation now covers almost all extra-urban roads in Europe, including highways and major roads. PPC operates on country roads, takes intersections and traffic circles into account, and is integrated with adaptive cruise control.

PPC minimizes unnecessary braking, accelerating, or shifting on winding rural routes, helping the driver maintain a low-wear and fuel-efficient driving style. All PPC interventions can be overridden by the driver at any time by braking or accelerating. The prerequisite for full PPC functionality is the fully automated Mercedes GO 250–8 PowerShift manual transmission.

Other measures also contribute to reduced fuel consumption. Intelligent onboard electrical system control with a battery sensor prioritizes battery charging during overrun or braking modes. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPM) displays current tire pressure and warns if it deviates from optimal levels, reducing tire wear, improving fuel efficiency, and preventing serious tire damage. The ZF Ecolife 2 automatic transmission with a torque converter in the OC 500 LE and OC 500 RF two-axle chassis also lowers fuel consumption.

Together, these and other measures lead to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Ultimately, the exact impact depends on the specific body and usage of the fully assembled bus.

Holistic economic efficiency: Telematics and driver assistance

Daimler Buses takes a comprehensive approach to economic efficiency. All new generation chassis are equipped with the "Bus Data Center" telematics box, which serves as a data transfer unit. This connects the vehicle to OMNIplus ON, the diverse digital services of the OMNIplus brand from Daimler Buses. OMNIplus ON connects the vehicle, driver, company, and service, adding value for bus operators. Even basic free services offer transparency regarding crucial fleet data. OMNIplus Uptime is revolutionary, constantly monitoring and checking vehicle systems.

Focus on the driver: Enhanced comfort and control

In addition to technology, driver comfort and control are paramount. The new optional Driver Score assistance system evaluates driving style based on various parameters, providing real-time feedback. Drivers can check their performance data while driving or later on a visual display. Significant deviations from the ideal driving style trigger optimization suggestions.

Daimler Buses traditionally emphasize the driver's experience, reflected in the generation of upgraded chassis. This begins with the optional multifunction key that replaces the conventional ignition key. The cockpit features a multifunction steering wheel, rain/light sensor, and an ergonomically designed tool system with a central display, similar to the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.

The standard electronic parking brake is part of the dashboard, simplifying management and security. The driver can manually activate the parking brake by pulling the lever or pressing the "P" button and deactivate it by accelerating or pressing the "P" button again. The "HOLD" option, which keeps the brake engaged until the accelerator is pressed, aids in starting on hills. The parking brake activates automatically when the bus is stationary, preventing unintentional rolling.

Versatile applications: Comprehensive chassis options

The new chassis generation includes various mechanical and modular innovations. A new interface via the CAN Bus system enables additional functions and indications, such as a lock to prevent moving off with an open door, alerts for open flaps in the instrument panel, and warnings for an open driver’s cab door on low-entry chassis.

With its range of variants, the new chassis generation caters to almost all applications. This includes two and three-axle chassis for high-floor buses with Mercedes-Benz OM 936 and OM 470 engines, power ranges from 220 kW (299 hp) to 335 kW (456 hp), and transmission options from the Mercedes GO-190 manual transmission to the fully automated Mercedes GO 250–8 PowerShift and ZF Ecolife 2 automatic transmission with torque converter. The OC 500 LE includes two-axle chassis for low-entry buses, with the Mercedes-Benz OM 936 engine offering 220 kW (299 hp) or 260 kW (354 hp), and the ZF Ecolife 2 automatic transmission.

All versions of the OC 500 are available in left-hand and right-hand drive configurations, with all engines meeting the current Euro VI E emissions standards.