Today marked the start of Europe's largest bus and coach show, Busworld 2005, in Kortrijk, Belgium.  Daimler Chrysler is using the event to debut a host of new buses from its two manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz and Setra, as well as its Omniplus services range.

Visitors to Busworld will see Mercedes-Benz debut two new bus and coach models, the Travego and the Citaro Low Entry. Both models are equipped with high-performance diesel engines featuring Daimler Chrysler's new BLUETEC technology, and both will meet the Euro 4 emissions standards that take effect in October of 2006.

If you'd like to learn more about Mercedes' offerings at Busworld 2005, you can find photos of the new models and Daimler Chrysler's full press release below.

		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - the new Citaro LE Ü rural regular-service bus
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - the new Citaro LE Ü rural regular-service bus
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - the new Citaro LE Ü rural regular-service bus
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches
		Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at Busworld 2005 - world premiere of the new Travego family of high-deck touring coaches

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


The Exhibits And New Products From Mercedes-Benz At „Busworld 2005”


Stuttgart, Oct 21, 2005

At Europe’s largest bus and coach show, Busworld 2005, being held in Kortrijk, Belgium, from October 21 to October 26, DaimlerChrysler Buses and Coaches are presenting a raft of new buses and coaches from its two brands Mercedes-Benz and Setra, together with the Omniplus services range. Each of DaimlerChrysler AG’s two European bus and coach brands will occupy half of a shared stand in Hall 5, which covers an area of approximately 3000 m². Six Mercedes-Benz vehicles and seven Setra vehicles are being presented. At the centre, and linking the two parts of the stand, the Omniplus services brand will have its own display. Further Setra and Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches will be on display on the outdoor site directly adjoining Hall 5. These vehicles will be available for test-driving, subject to prior booking at the stand.

Two brand-new bus and coach ranges will be making their debut at the Mercedes-Benz stand in Kortrijk: the Mercedes-Benz Travego and the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Low Entry. The vehicles of these two model series are powered by high-performance diesel engines, equipped with DaimlerChrysler’s new BlueTec diesel technology. They therefore meet the Euro 4 emissions standard which will come into force in October 2006.

Power, elegance and performance – the new Travego

Kortrijk will see the first ever public appearance of the new Mercedes-Benz Travego high-deck touring coach family. The new models will be available in three lengths (Travego: 12.14 m; Travego M: 12.96 m; Travego L: 13.99 m) with two Euro 4-compliant BlueTec engines, a six-cylinder and an eight-cylinder unit (power rating 315 kW/428 hp and 350 kW/476 hp). The Travego will be offered in a choice of two equipment lines, „Fashion” and „Flair”.

The new Travego has an attractive and dynamic new exterior. At the front, its „face” is more strongly sculpted than that of the previous model, with a newly designed prominent three-dimensional front panel and new-design bumpers with integrated fog lamps. From here the redesigned side styling, incorporating a noticeably wider front entrance, new LED side marker lights and an attractively integrated roof-mounted air conditioning system, leads through to the likewise redesigned rear end, with striking rounded tail lights which present a three-dimensional appearance and which wrap round into the sides. The interior boasts a large number of new features, while in the interests of spaciousness the exterior width of 2.55 metres and standing height of 2.10 metres have been retained.

New materials, various other modifications and a proven construction principle have resulted in weight savings of up to 300 kg compared with the previous model, with no concessions on comfort and safety. The resulting increase in load capacity, and reduced fuel consumption when carrying the same payload, make the new Travego even more economical. Improved electronics based on the proven flexible programmable control system reduce complexity and enhance functionality. The outstanding safety and convenience systems on board the new Travego, including ABS, acceleration skid control (ASR), the Electronic Braking System (EBS), Brake Assist (BA) and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), are joined by the assistance systems proximity control, Continuous Braking Limiter and Lane Assistant, which provide drivers with the best possible support in their highly demanding job.

Passenger-friendly and economical - the new Citaro LE and LE Ü Low Entry regular-service buses

With the Low Entry regular-service buses in the Mercedes-Benz Citaro series, the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit is moving into a completely new product segment. The Citaro LE is based on a cleverly though-out concept constructed from existing components. The combination of a low-floor front section (from the Citaro) extending to aft of the centre entrance and a new high-floor area at the rear, which is conveniently accessible via two low steps, results in a large number of twin seats and areas for standing passengers. As well as providing a high standard of passenger comfort and a very neat and tidy appearance in the rear part of the interior, this design also allows uncomplicated, low-cost, maintenance-friendly installation of the major assemblies. The proven and cost-efficient series-produced rear-mounted powertrain comprises an engine, drive axle, transmission and substructure frame taken from the Integro rural-service bus and the Travego RH high-deck touring coach. This intelligent construction principle allows a larger number of variants to be offered, as well as catering for a large number of special customer requirements.

The external appearance of the Citaro LE is distinctive. Although this vehicle is unmistakably a Citaro, it also strikes a note all its own. Viewed from the side, one feature which attracts particular attention is the roof with fibreglass-reinforced plastic lining, which is 310 mm higher aft of the centre than at the front. The stepped side sections make for a smoother transition between the front and the rear. The absence of a high roof in the Citaro-based front section prevents the vehicle from appearing excessively tall. The new design of the Citaro LE face at the front and the new design of the tail stress the affinity between the various members of the Mercedes-Benz bus family and provide a common design denominator.

In the interior the new, rounded ceiling makes a smooth and gentle transition from the low-floor front section to the raised-floor rear section. The higher floor in the rear and the seat platforms with a maximum height of 200 mm create a very homogenous seating arrangement in this part of the vehicle. All the passengers in this area sit facing the front and the seats are progressively tiered, like seats in a theatre. The driver’s area in the Citaro LE features the proven VDV instrument panel and a generous amount of storage space. The new Opticool windscreen reduces heat and energy radiation into the interior by approximately 10 %.

Large parts of the Citaro LE chassis are newly developed. Amongst other new features is the independent front-wheel suspension. The Citaro LE is currently the only volume-production European urban bus with this feature. Clean and economical Euro 4-compliant engines are a further hallmark. The six-cylinder in-line engine develops a maximum output of 220 kW (299 hp) or 260 kW (354 hp). The 12-metre Citaro LE urban bus can be equipped with two or three doors. The two rural-service versions, the Citaro LE Ü (12 metres) and the Citaro LE MÜ (13.1 metres) have two doors, with the option of a two-leaf door at the front, which is standard on the urban bus. Depending on seating and door configurations, the urban bus version has a passenger capacity of between 85 and 91 passengers (plus the driver’s seat). The rural regular-service versions have a capacity of between 65 and 80 passengers (plus the driver’s seat), depending on the vehicle length, seating and door configurations.

Also on show in Kortrijk

At its stand in Hall 5 in Kortrijk, the Omniplus services brand will be premiering three new services for drivers and operators of Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses and coaches. „Service Select” allows operators to plan their vehicle running costs and at the same time reduce the administrative workload in their fleet. EvoBus GmbH has also widened its extensive range of Omniplus emergency services to include two new modules: the Omniplus Tyre Service offers round-the-clock tyre replace-ment in 16 European countries for Omniplus Service Card holders, while the Omniplus Bus Pool supplies a replacement bus in double-quick time in the event of a breakdown.

„Hospitality” is a keynote of the Mercedes-Benz presentations in Kortrijk. On each day, throughout the event opening hours, the brand will be inviting its customers to informative discussions and small snacks amid the exhibits at their stand in Hall 5. Also, the Mercedes-Benz Club Lounge in the Villa Alba will be open for Mercedes-Benz bus and coach customers every evening throughout the event, from 7.30 p.m. to midnight. Here customers will be able to put the stress of the day behind them and relax in an informal setting.

Mercedes-Benz exhibits at the „Busworld 2005” show in Kortrijk, Belgium


1. Mercedes-Benz Travego high-deck touring coach (15 RHD)
Engine: OM 457 LA, 315 kW/428 hp (Euro 4)
Number of seats: 44 + 1 + 1
Length x width x height: 12,140 mm x 2550 mm x 3710 mm

2. Mercedes-Benz Travego M high-deck touring coach (16 RHD)
Engine: OM 457 LA, 315 kW/428 hp (Euro 4)
Number of seats: 48 + 1 + 1
Length x width x height: 12,960 mm x 2550 mm x 3710 mm

3. Mercedes-Benz Citaro LE Ü rural-service bus
Engine: OM 457 hLA, 220 kW/299 hp (Euro 4)
Number of seats: 41 + 1
Length x width x height: 12,040 mm x 2550 mm x 3318 mm

4. Mercedes-Benz Tourino midi-coach
Engine: OM 906 LA, 205 kW/280 hp (Euro 3)
Number of seats: 32 + 1 + 1
Length x width x height: 9350 mm x 2400 mm x 3300 mm

5. Mercedes-Benz Tourismo RHD high-deck touring coach
Engine: OM 457 LA, 310 kW/422 hp (Euro 3)
Number of seats: 49 + 1 + 1
Length x width x height: 11,980 mm x 2500 mm x 3647 mm

6. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6t NF low-floor minibus
Engine: OM 612 DE27LA, 115 kW/156 hp (Euro 3)
Number of seats: 12 + 4 + 1
Length x width x height: 7557 mm x 2308 mm x 2795 mm


Copyright © 2005, DaimlerChrysler AG