Setra ComfortClass and TopClass: Fascinating, new premium touring coaches are now even safer

• Design: the new face of the Setra family
• Safety: revolutionary assistance systems further enhanced
• New: Active Brake Assist 6, Frontguard Assist and more
• Cost-effectiveness: advancements have been expanded upon
• Cockpit: coveted workplace upgraded with MirrorCam
• Passenger compartment: generously spacious experience
• Programme: all nine – six HD, three HDH

Setra – the name has been the epitome of premium coaches for over seven decades. The next generation of Setra ComfortClass stands for a versatile bus concept that meets the highest requirements in economy, safety and flexibility. The exclusive TopClass HDH models take touring coach travel to a new level. Maximum long-distance comfort, individual luxury and technical excellence combine to create a true travel experience. It has now been further enhanced by new and further developed safety and assistance systems.

Design: the new face of the Setra family

The next generation of ComfortClass and TopClass shows the brand's new family face. The brand logo has been intricately crafted in three-dimensional chrome, giving it the appearance of floating on its glossy black background. Two inserted trims in chrome (TopClass) and silver (ComfortClass) enclose the surface. A Kässbohrer brand badge now confidently highlights the origin and tradition of the Setra brand.

The inserted trims transition into a full LED lighting element on the sides. It combines the turn signals, daytime running lights and perimeter light. Even brighter LED headlamps (standard for TopClass) create an emphasis with their technical design similar to a theatre spotlight. The same goes for its housing in black chrome.

The touring coaches now have a character element on the side with the brand lettering as an unmistakable, distinguishing feature. Finally, the previously dashed style of the Setra rear lamps is replaced by powerful continuous strips. The branding lines are illuminated by an internal LED strip within the lighting element.

Safety: revolutionary assistance systems further enhanced

Accelerating, braking, maintaining distance, steering, staying in lane and even emergency braking – the new Active Drive Assist 2 represents a decisive step on the path toward self-driving touring coaches. Active Drive Assist 2 combines the functions of the individual assistance systems in a unique way, already enabling semi-automated driving in all speed ranges today. An emergency stop function has also been implemented. This brings the vehicle to a halt through a moderate, automated braking action should the driver stop responding and does not react any more.

With the active steering assistant, Active Drive Assist 2 keeps the touring coach in a target position within the lane on the basis of continuous steering movements. The system relieves the driver of many of the constant, minor steering corrections to keep the vehicle in lane. Active Drive Assist 2 was developed for driving on motorways and similar roads.

The electronic parking brake and the 360° camera system significantly increase safety in addition to improving functionality and user-friendliness. The same applies to the powerful, full-LED headlamps and the Highbeam Assist assistance system.

New: Active Brake Assist 6, Frontguard Assist and more

The unique Active Brake Assist 5 emergency braking assistant – ABA 5 for short – was a further milestone in safety development at its premiere in the next generation of Setra ComfortClass and Setra TopClass a year ago. ABA 5 was the first system to combine radar and camera technology. Within the system limits, the assistance system, which is standard equipment in the TopClass and ComfortClass, was the world's first emergency braking assistance system for touring coaches that was able to carry out automated emergency braking in response to moving and stationary persons up to a vehicle speed of 50 km/h.

Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) is the next development stage. ABA 6 is even more capable. Features include: ABA 6 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.

And that's not all: 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. The system 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.

Traffic Sign Assist is also new. It warns the driver if the permissible speed is exceeded. Finally, Adaptive Cruise Control (ART), Lane Assistant (SPA), the Tyre Pressure Monitoring system (TPM) and Attention Assist (AtAs) as well as an interface for the use of alcohol testers for the driver's workplace are now standard equipment.

Cost-effectiveness: advancements have been expanded upon

The proverbial economic efficiency of Setra touring coaches is further enhanced in the next generation of TopClass and ComfortClass. In addition to safety, the optional Active Drive Assist 2 also means increased economy. The intelligent and fuel-saving Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) cruise control system integrates a driving style adapted to the topography into the automated transmission. PPC is standard equipment. In addition to motorways and trunk roads, its map material covers almost all roads outside urban areas in Europe. PPC takes into account intersections and roundabouts and is linked to the Adaptive Cruise Control system. PPC uses the stored map data to automatically reduce the vehicle's speed when entering built-up areas, before tight bends on country roads or at obstacles such as roundabouts and stop or give-way intersections.

Even seemingly small things have an effect. For example, the on-board electrical system voltage of Setra TopClass and ComfortClass is selected according to efficiency aspects: while coasting, the charging voltage is increased to charge the batteries with free energy. Conversely, the charging voltage is reduced during acceleration phases or when driving uphill. This reduces fuel consumption by around 0.3 percent.

Last but not least, the Driver Score assistance system evaluates the current driving behaviour based on various parameters and the use of driver assistance systems. It provides individual feedback and suggestions on the display, thus enabling drivers to quickly improve their driving behaviour. Driver Score allows the drivers to continuously optimise their driving style.

Cockpit: coveted workplace upgraded with MirrorCam

Another eye-catching feature is the optional MirrorCam instead of the conventional outside mirrors. The images from the cameras are transmitted to 15-inch monitors mounted on the inside of the A-pillars. Lines displayed indicate the end of the vehicle and help the driver estimate the speed of approaching vehicles as well as to cut in at the end of an overtaking manoeuvre. Another 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 improved visibility in the dark thanks to residual light amplification, less dirt, less manoeuvring damage and a further reduction of fuel consumption thanks to a smaller front section.

Further advantages of the two model series remain unchanged. With Keyless Start, the key remains in the pocket and the engine is started at the press of a button. The electronic parking brake combines several functions at the same time, it combines simple handling and a high level of safety. Highbeam Assist automatically switches the main beam on or off depending on the traffic conditions, thus ensuring optimal illumination of the road. The 360° camera system offers perfect all-round visibility when manoeuvring and in tight spaces. Four cameras at the front, rear and above the side windows record the vehicle surroundings and generate an indirect all-round view of 360° from a bird's-eye perspective. Finally, the Coach Infotainment series multimedia system offers the latest generation of media usage for professional use. This starts with DAB+ digital radio reception and continues with Bluetooth audio streaming, the ability to connect smartphones by Bosch mySpin. In addition, an HDMI interface makes it possible to connect a laptop. Tour guides can also pair their smartphone. The central interface of the new Coach Infotainment series is a 7-inch monitor located in the cockpit.

Passenger compartment: generously spacious experience

Is it really a passenger compartment or just a dream? Both elements are very close to each other in the Setra TopClass and ComfortClass. Upon boarding, TopClass passengers are welcomed by a pleasant fragrance upon request: a fragrance generator exudes a pleasant fragrance. Eight fragrances can be selected.

The partition walls with generous, transparent inserts made of tinted glass catch the eye in TopClass and ComfortClass. Brand lettering in the frame welcomes the passengers. In addition, developers have revised the colours of the passenger compartments. The railing covers or the cover of the toilet cubicles are now kept in black colour. Above their heads, passengers can discover revised service sets with round air vents which are intuitively adjustable by 360 degrees.

The best entertainment on board is provided by 21.5-inch monitors. These set new standards for LCD monitors. They feature a high-resolution LED-TFT display (1920 x 1080 pixels) and excellent HD quality. The monitors can be mounted either rigidly or they can be folded up and down electrically.

Programme: all nine – six HD, three HDH

Six versatile ComfortClass HD models, three TopClass HDH luxury touring coaches which are outstanding in every respect, plus the S 531 DT double-decker touring coach as a solitary element – the Setra range of vehicles fulfils every wish for a tailor-made touring coach. A wide range of special equipment options is also available: Rear door instead of central entry for HD models with corresponding passenger compartment layout, TopSky Panorama glass roof, elegant triple seating with level floor, a stunning variety of fabric and leather upholstery, as well as many other extras – hardly any Setra is like another, and each Setra provides a suitable solution.

The wide range of ComfortClass HD models extends from the compact, 10.5-metre-long S 511 HD to the S 519 HD with a length of almost 15 metres, providing plenty of passenger capacity. Setra TopClass – this comprises three fascinating HDH models on three axles. Dream touring coaches for dreams trips, from the compact S 515 HDH to the mighty S 517 HDH, from 12.5 to 14.2 metres in length.

Merely the tried-and-tested drivetrain remains unchanged in the Setra ComfortClass and TopClass. At the heart of this lie the Mercedes‑Benz OM 470 six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 10.7 litres in three output ratings from 290 kW (394 hp) to 335 kW (456 hp) and the OM 471 (displacement of 12.8 litres) with 350 kW (476 hp) and 375 kW (510 hp). They are designated depending on the model.

Omniplus: digital is completely normal

A further advantage of Setra touring coaches 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.