EUROPEAN ON-LINE MAGAZINE - March 2014

BusToCoach

THE SHORT ONE EUROPEAN MARKET 2013 - DAIMLER - SOLARIS - OTOKAR / MAURI - IRIZAR i6 - MERCEDES TOURISMO K - FLASH NEWS - HIGHT TECH STORE

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ON-LINE MAGAZINE linked www.bustocoach.com - March 2014

BusToCoachEuropean on-line magazine

Editor in chiefMarino Ginanneschi

marino.ginanneschi@bustocoach.com

Managing editor and International relations

Elena Prearoelena.prearo@bustocoach.com

Photos and videos Marco Degano

marco.degano@bustocoach.com

AdministrationTransport Web di Marco Degano & C Snc

I 20149 MilanoVia Silva 33

E-mail: bustocoach@bustocoach.comInternet: www.bustocoach.com

Registration: Tribunale di Milano n. 140 del 16/03/2012

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FLASH NEWSWrightbus, Van Hool, VDL,

Irizar, Setra, Castrosua.

HIGH TECH STORE Autoadapt, VDO, Europart,

Stalatube, PFC Brakes.

DAIMLERPositive record levels in

2013. Bus sales go up 5%.

SOLARIS2013 ends with momentum

with 1,300 buses sold.

DIRECT LINK

BUS MARKET COLUMNS

IRIZAR12.2-metre i6 with Scania

Euro VI engine.

OTOKARMauri delivers the 100th

bus in Italy.

MERCEDES-BENZ10.3-metre Tourismo K ready for the market.

EUROPE 2013New registrations

increase 2.8%.

IN THE FOREGROUND

USED BUS ON LINEOn www.bustocoach.com

websiteis on line the directory

dedicated to Used.

If you want to sell or buy a bus, here’s the right way.

You can make your insertion or search vehicles for sale.

***You can access through

the site, selecting the USED directory or going directly to

the linkwww.bustocoach.com/en/content/announcements

IRIZAR WITH SAFETY SYSTEMS

ON January 29 Irizar delivered five intercity coaches to the Spanish bus operator Julián

de Castro. The vehicles are the Irizar i4 and i6 coach models built on a Volvo E6 chassis. Both in a length of 13 m, they are fitted with 55 and 59 seats, three destination signs and a Masats K7 and SAM 4000 au-tomatic lift for disabled passengers, respectively. All

the coaches are equipped with the driver fatigue detection system (FDW) developed by Datik, one of the companies within the Irizar Group. This is an advanced technological support system for minimising the risks of distractions and collisions by detecting and forecasting situations through the use of artificial vision technologies, which contributes towards more reliable driving. The system consist of a camera, processing device and seat vibration notification. It also includes image recording services, alert registration, events, as well as information that is sent to a central unit via a web platform. •

THE 75th SETRA BUS OF MUDENTAL G erman public local transport provider Mulden-

tal mbH (PVM) took delivery of its 75th Setra vehicle. It’s part of a supply of ten Setra S 415 NF low floor buses commissioned by the saxon operator. All the vehicles meet the EEV exhaust emissions standard without particulate filter and are featured with ZF Ecolife 6-speed automatic transmissions, 42 passenger seats, disabled spaces, parking spaces for wheelchairs and baby carriages, kneeling function, vehicle-specific manually operated folding ramp and also the computer-con-trolled RBL central guidance system, with visual and audible information facilities for passen-gers. •

ELECTRIC BUSES IN THE UK

AN order for no fewer than 64 VDL Citea LLE buses was placed by the Finnish transport

company Koiviston Auto. This is the largest order in the history of VDL Bus & Coach for the Finnish market. The 64 Citeas will transport passengers in Kuopio and Lahti, cities located 100 to 380 km north of Helsinki. Delivery is scheduled before the summer of this year. All the Citeas have a 39+1 seating arran-gement and space for around 40 standing passengers. Energy-saving LED lamps provide balanced lighting while a climate control system with extra heating and extra air conditioning ensures comfortable temperatures year round. Koiviston Auto is the largest passenger transport company in Finland, with an annual turnover of 118 million euro, 1,500 employees and a fleet of 750 coaches and public transport buses, which drive around 58 million km per year. •

BIG SHOT IN FINLAND

A fleet of eight wirelessly-charged electric buses started operation in

Milton Keynes, UK. The vehicles will run for five years in a demonstration program-me, they will be built by UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus and will run seventeen hours a day, seven days a week, on the busy “Number 7” 15-mile (25 km) route operated by Arriva. Through the wireless charging technology the bus batteries get their charge from underground induction coils positioned at the start and end of a bus driver’s route. The trial programme is led by eFleet Integrated Service (“eFIS”), an enabling company set up by the European division of Japanese company Mitsui and UK engineering group Arup. •

CASTROSUA’S INVESTMENTS

THE President of the Iberian Castrosua Group Juan Luis Rodríguez Castro,

announced the investment of more than EUR 1 million in 2014 to modernize and renew the equipment and improve the productivity of the companies in the group (Castrosua, Carsa, Insu-lar and Cidsa). The new president has set out the guidelines for the company’s strategic plan until

2017. In particular, the commitment to internationalization and promotion of research and development. According to Castro, these two lines are based on the «search for strategic alliances and partnerships in the field, the development of new lines and products, manage-ment and professional relationship with the client». •

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014 FLASH NEWS

Leading international public transport company Stagecoach Group, announced a $10.5 million

investment in new double-decker coaches for its growing megabus.com network in North America. A fleet of 15 Van Hool TD 925 vehicles is expected to enter service within the next six months in order to

face the expansion planned in 2014. Megabus.com operates in more than 30 states in the United States and two provinces in Canada, serving more than 120 destinations.. The new 81-seat, green-certified and wheelchair accessible double-decker buses will be equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, seat belts, toilets and a range of specialist safety features, linked to the company’s monitoring centre. •

DOUBLE DECKERS IN NORTH AMERICA

MARKET 2010 2011 2012 2013 2013-2012D%

AUSTRIA 760 602 722 713 -1.2%BELGIUM 1,019 716 701 765 9.1%BULGARIA n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.CYPRUS n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d n.d.CZECH REPUBLIC 751 837 731 891 21.9%DENMARK 659 475 508 401 -21.1%ESTONIA 125 55 116 126 8.6%FINLAND 513 398 535 388 -27.5%FRANCE 5,906 6,803 6,062 6,963 14.9%GERMANY 5,219 5,042 5,139 5,824 13.3%GREECE 403 83 118 100 -15.3%HUNGARY 272 152 51 432 747.1%IRELAND 47 78 236 163 -30.9%ITALY* 4,432 3,063 2,131 2,375 11.5%LATVIA 137 189 93 239 157%LITHUANIA 90 104 145 176 21.4%LUXEMBURG 174 197 159 171 7.5%NETHERLANDS 684 640 784 583 -25.6%POLAND 1,362 1,538 1,271 1,385 9%PORTUGAL 491 331 224 174 -22.3%ROMANIA 344 139 1.463 865 -40.9%SLOVAKIA 505 302 307 275 -10.4%SLOVENIA 142 123 92 154 67.4%SPAIN 2,428 2,679 1,641 1,648 0.4%SWEDEN 1,672 1,617 1,629 1,230 -24.5%UNITE KINGDOM 6,563 5,485 7,233 6,951 -3.9%EUROPEAN UNION 34,698 31,648 32,091 32,992 2.8%ICELAND 25 31 69 73 5.8%NORWAY 1,482 1,345 1,231 1,259 2.3%SWITZERLAND 531 669 509 585 14.9%EFTA 2,038 2,045 1,809 1,917 6%TOTAL EU+EFTA 36,736 33,693 33,890 34,909 3%

NEW BUS REGISTRATIONS IN EUROPE (Acea source)

*) ANFIA estimate, based on data of the Italian Ministry of Transport.

In 2013 registrations of buses and coaches over 3.5t in the 27 EU countries grew by 2.8%. Good results in Germany and France. Slight decrease in the UK and small recovery in Italy

A fter the timid turnaround of 2012 (+1.4%) the European market for buses and co-

aches moves forward into the recovery zone and archives 2013 with an increase of 2.8%. This is the result emerging from the economic survey on EU commercial vehicles registra-tions that is periodically carried out by the European Automobile Manufacturers Asso-ciation (ACEA).32,992 buses and coaches over 3.5t have been registered in the 27 European Union countries in 2013, compared to 32,091 in 2012.The leading market in terms of registration numbers is France with 6,963 buses, followed at a short distance by the United Kingdom (6,951) and Germany (5,824). Overall, these markets alone account for almost 60 per cent of European registrations.In terms of results, it is worth noting the growth of France and Italy, bringing both countries back to the positive mark.In France registrations increased by 14.9% while in Italy the number of registered buses and coaches grew by 11.5% with 2,375 newly registered vehicles. It is wor-th noting that in 2012 France decreased by 10.9% and that Italy was negative 30.4 per-centage points.Germany also reports a good performance,

reinforcing the trajectory of the last two years, increasing from the modest 1.9% to 13.3%.On another front, the UK slips into negative territory after the impressive results of 2012 that ended with a significant increase in regi-strations (7,233 registered vehicles, +31.9% growth). The UK market takes a small step backwards in 2013, -3.9%, missing the lea-dership of the greatest European market by a margin of a dozen vehicles.Much worse results are reported from Ireland, where the decrease exceeds 30%, with only 163 registered vehicles compared to 236 in the previous year.The Spanish market, barely recovering from the sharp decline in 2012 (-38.7%), remains essentially stable with a mediocre +0.4% and 1,648 registered buses. Less than half of what it used to be in the years prior to 2009, with serious repercussions on the survival of local manufacturers. Likewise for Portugal that lo-ses an additional -22.3% with only 174 regi-stered vehicles.Greece does not manage to keep up with its 2012 recovery, transforming the growth by 42.2% into a decline by -15.3% with just 100 buses.In Eastern European markets recoveries are

reported in the Czech Republic (891 vehicles, +21.9%), Poland (1 ,385 un i t s , +9%), Slovenia (154, +67.4%) a n d H u n g a r y (432 +747.1 %). Negative results are reported from Romania (-40.9 %) and Slovakia (-10.4 %).The winds of crisis blow over Northern Europe where decrea-ses are recorded in most coun-tries, Denmark (-21.1%), Swe-den (-24.5%), F i n l a n d (-27.5%), inclu-ding the Nether-lands (-25.6%). Belgium is the lone survivor en-ding the year po-sitively at 9.1%.All three Bal-tic States report growth: Estonia +8,6%, Lithua-nia +21.4% and Latvia leaping by +157%.Among the EFTA countries (Euro-pean Free Tra-de Association) S w i t z e r l a n d , Ice land and Norway grow respectively by +14.9%, +5.8% and +2.3%. Al-together these three countries report a positive 6%. •

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014

POSITIVE RESULTS IN THE EU MARKET

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014

More articles about Daimler: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/732/articoli-costruttore-italia

2013 has been a record year for Da-imler AG in terms of unit sales,

revenue, Ebit and net profit. In 2014 the com-pany expects r e n e w e d g r o w t h thanks to its ample pro-duct portfo-lio, ongoing inves tment in produc-tion and to e x p e c t e d market deve-lopments.In 2013 Da-imler sold 2 .35 mi l -lion vehicles compared to 2.2 in 2012 with net profit increasing to €8.7 billion compared to €6.8 the previous year. Group revenues increased to €118 billion (€114.3 billion in 2012 ), while Ebit reached €10.8 billion (€8.8 in 2012).Regarding the bus segment, Daimler Buses sold 33,700 buses and bus chassis worldwide compared to 32,100 units in 2012. With this

5% growth the Daimler Buses division con-firmed its market leadership in the segment for buses over 8 tons. Revenue increased by

4% to €4.1 billion. The division re-turned to profitability with Ebit of plus €124 m i l l i o n compared to minus €221 million re-por ted in 2012. Retu-rn on sales increased to 3% (-5.6% in 2012) . The market

increase was driven by growth in unit sales in Western Europe and Latin America.In 2014 Daimler Buses aims at significantly increasing its unit sales and maintaining its leading position in its core markets. The bus division expects an increase of sales in Brazil. As for Europe, Daimler Buses anticipates a stable development of unit sales. •

Daimler AG archives 2013 at record levels. Sales of buses and bus chassis worldwide grew by 5% (33,700 units) while revenue increased by 4%

A YEAR OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS

More articles about Solaris: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/428/articoli-costruttore-europa

A lso for Solaris Bus & Coach, 2013 has been a record year. With the delivery

of 1,302 vehicles, the Polish manufacturer achieved record sales, the hi-ghest in 18 years of activity. The majority of these vehicles (1,010 units) went on export markets, mainly Germany, Serbia, Israel and Bulgaria.In the domestic market, Solaris managed to reta-in its leadership position having sold 292 buses.“The year 2013 was very successful for our company”, said Solange Olszewska, CEO of Solaris Bus & Coach. “We are working hard to maintain this level of orders for the co-ming years. Forecasts, based on the number of orders in hand, look optimistic. This year we will complete the delivery of 100 buses to Izmir (Turkey) and over the course of coming three years we will build 300 buses for Riga (Latvia)”.

In 2013 Solaris introduced buses with Euro 6 engines and an electric bus with an innovati-ve system for the automatic fast charging of

batteries. One of the most awaited new products of 2014 will be the new Solaris Ur-bino which will be presented at the next IAA in Hannover. In addition, Solaris will add a brand new model to its current range of vehicles. •

Solaris Bus & Coach sold 1,302 vehicles, the highest result in 18 years of activity.

Predictions for 2014 are optimistic

RECORDSALES IN 2013

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014

Mauri Bus System delivered the 100th Otokar bus in Italy. It is a Vectio U in-

tended for intercity line service. The vehi-cle measures 9.2 metres in length and it is powered by a 250 hp Man D0836 engine with Voith automatic transmission. It fits 39 seated and 12 standing passengers. The vehicle is equipped with an Ameli location display in-dicator mounted behind the windshield, Fog-maker fire suppression system in the engine compartment and Groeneveld automatic oil refilling system.Delivered to transport operator ASF in Como,

a company co-owned by Arriva Italia, this vehicle is one of the last Otokar Euro V de-livered in Italy.With this vehicle the Otokar fleet of the Arri-va Group now counts 34 units and it includes a variety of models by the Turkish manufac-turer: Vectio 250U, 250 Vectio Le, Navigo U and Navigo City class II.The collaboration between Otokar and Mau-ri Bus System for the commercialisation and the supply of service assistance in the Italian market started in 2011 and it proved effecti-ve in achieving significant results in-spite of

the difficulties that characterised the bus sector in recent years.35 vehicles have been delivered in 2013, and the reali-stic goal for 2014 is to sell 40.The first vehicles compliant with Euro VI emission standards will be delivered starting in May this year.In this regard, the

Thanks to the partnership with Mauri Bus System, the 100th Otokar vehicle has been delivered in the Italian market. It was acquired by ASF, a company co-owned by Arriva Italia

Navigo series of 7.2 and 7.7 metres confirmed the use of the 185 hp 4-cylinder Cummins engine.Similarly, the Vectio series continues to make use of the 250 hp Man engine for the 9.3-me-tre Vectio U and LE, now available with a choice between the ZF Ecolife and the Voith automatic transmissions. With the transition to Euro VI the Vectio LE can now be used in class II.The 10-metre Vectio T tourism class vehi-cle is powered by the Euro VI MAN engine, whose output has been increased to 290 hp, combined with a ZF manual transmission. In

addition to an aesthetic upgrade, it also repla-ced the electromagnetic Telma retarder with the hydrodynamic Voith retarder; also, the air conditioning system is now available with se-parate control for the driver’s station.Regarding the 12 metres models, the low floor Kent city bus gets rid of the Deutz engine to adopt the six-cylinder Cummins engine combined with Voith automatic transmission, likewise the Territo, that replaces the 290 hp Deutz engine with the 310 hp Cummins. At the end of the year additional new products will be introduced and the city and inter-city vehicles range will be extended. •

100th OTOKARVEHICLE IN ITALY

The Territo Euro VI powered by the 6.7-li-tre 310 hp Cummins ISB engine combined with a ZF automatic transmission is cur-rently in Italy to un-dergo Sort and Cuna tests. It stands out for the additional grilles on the rear left side and for the ventilation holes on the door of the engine compart-ment. •

EURO VI READY TERRITO

More articles about Otokar: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/510/articoli-costruttore-europa

THE international classifi-cation foundation Det

Norska Veritas (DNV) has renewed Stalatube’s ISO 9001:2008 quality ma-nagement system and ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system certifications. It also approved OHSAS 18001:2007 occupational health and safety management system and the EN ISO 3834-2:2005 welding quality management system certifications.Stalatube is a Finnish company that manufactures tubes and hollow components made of high technology stainless steel. Its products are used in construction, transportation, machi-nery and energy sectors. In 40 years of activity, the company has built a distribution network covering all continents and 45 countries. Headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Lahti, Finland. Sales offices are located in the Uni-ted States, the Netherlands and India. Stalatube employs 130 people and has a turnover of 100 million Euros. •

Europart has developed a state-of-the-art hi-

gh-performance diesel engine oil which uses synthesis technology, and is designed for oil changes at intervals of up to 120,000 km. This oil has been specifically developed for heavy-duty exhaust gas-optimized commercial vehicle diesel engines of the latest design, and can withstand the exceptio-nally high loading of engines in haulage and public vehicle fleets. Europart can also supply a universal low-friction oil which delivers an exceptional cold-start performance, engine pro-tection and age-resistant properties for low-friction running, using state-of-the-art additive technology for optimum engi-ne cleanliness. This oil also provides outstanding low-fric-tion and wear-resistant properties. This engine oil is suitable for heavy-duty exhaust gas-optimized commercial vehicle diesel engines, and can also be used in conventional natu-rally-aspirated and turbo-diesel engines. •

VDO a company of the Con-

tinental Group, has de-veloped special apps for heavy vehicles. They are available for Android and iOS systems and allow you to take under control the digital tachograph di-

rectly from your smartphone. Via the Bluetooth connection the smartphone is connected to the digital tachograph throu-gh the DTCO Smartlink which is already available for An-droid and now also for iOS in the Pro version. The VDO Driver app lets you view real-time driving times and rest and driver card data. The TIS-Web Fleet app has a messaging system between managers and drivers to com-municate easily and quickly, while also providing fleet ma-nagers the ability to access data on fleet management. With the DriveTime app you can consult, via smartphone, the location of vehicles, the distances traveled and the residual driving of drivers. The Workshop app has been designed and developed by VDO also to facilitate the Technical Centers. All apps are free and available for Android (DriveTime and VDO Driver apps are available also for iOS ) and constantly updated and exapnded. •

AN extended trial with Nottin-

gham City Transport (NCT) have demon-strated that PFC Brakes offer fleet operators the opportunity to make considerable cost savin-gs through the simple switching of brake pad supplier. The trial, led

by NCT, monitored pad and disc wear on two Scania dou-ble decker buses, which are used daily around the city. The results confirmed that the PFC Brakes would cover 156,000 km compared to the existing pads, which last, on average, 85,000 km. Crucially, the less abrasive PFC Brakes com-pound meant that disc life was also doubled, further redu-cing costs. •

APP FOR DTCO STAINLESS STEEL

DOUBLE LIFE

T he Carony system sold 10 thousand

units. For over two de-cades the Swedish com-pany Autoadapt has been producing the Carony system, an ingenious so-lution that facilitates the transport of passengers on wheelchair.Sold worldwide, Carony enables the transfer of passengers with limited mobility into a vehicle, eliminating ramps and lifts thanks to a seat that con-verts into a comfortable seat on wheels. It works by simply turning the seat towards the vehicle exit and the whole seat easily slides on a special chas-sis where it is securely docked. This way the seat and chassis turn into a

standard wheelchair with armrests and headrest.Suitable for both adults and children, it is available in the basic Carony Classic version and the electric Carony Go version with a capacity load of up to 120 kg, with a maximum speed of 6.5 km/h and 25 km running range with one charge. Each version can be mounted both on the left and right side of the vehi-cle and can fit on a wide range of vehicles, from small seda-ns to SUVs and minibuses. The chassis features two rear wheels with quick-release me-chanism and the seat is fire resistant.Subjected to crash tests, the Carony is approved as a me-dical device in accordance to ISO 7176 and ISO 10542 legislation.Autoadapt was founded in 1996 and specialises in the design and production of a variety of solutions and pro-ducts to fit vehicles to the transport needs of people with reduced mobility. The headquarters is in Stenkullen a lo-cation in the South of Sweden, about twenty kilometres from Gothenburg. •

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014 HIGH TECH STORE

MORE THAN A WHEELCHAIR

OIL ON MEASUREMENT

T three years after its first public appear-ance at the FIAA in Madrid in 2010,

the Irizar i6 has become the leading touring coach by Basque manufacturer Scania. It was developed as an intermediate-range model, positioned between the PB, the top of the range, and the Century. However, following the expansion of the available variants, it has gradually replaced the Century, that eventu-ally ceased production at the end of 2013.

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014

EURO VI TRANSITION

Lenght mm 12,200 Width mm 2,550 Heigh mm 3,731 Wheelbase mm 6,070 Front overhang mm 2,710 Rear overhang mm 3,420 Turning circle mm 22,950 Fuel tank litres 400 AdBlue tank litres 60 Luggage m3 9 Weight max kg 18,000 Engine Scania DC 13 Displacement cc 12,740 Power hp (kW)/rpm 450(331)/1,900 Torque Nm/rpm 2,350/1,100-1,300 Gearbox Scania Opticruise

IRIZAR i6 HD 12.35 K450

DIMENSIONS

THE i6 fits 53 pas-senger on Irizar

reclining upholstered seats with leather inserts on the sides and on headrests, with adjustable armrests, rear han-dles, footrests and two-point safety belts. The stylish open overheard luggage racks fea-ture an external handrail with white Led lights at two intensity levels. On top of the overhead racks there is the airshaft for the distribution of the air conditioning system. Air conditioning is also deliv-ered from the air vents on the personal sets (spaced out be-tween speakers). Personal sets also include Led lights with touch-screen power buttons.Heating is delivered via floor convectors powered by the Sphe-ros Thermo 300 housed behind the rear door on the right side. This is also where the new spiral steel cable system for hanging

the AC compressor is located.It features two flat screen moni-tors, one of which is housed into the front body (with digital clo-ck) above the driver’s area, and the other on the beginning of the right overhead rack just above the staircase at the centre.The driver makes use of an Isri

pneumatic seat with leather uphol-stery, side window with defroster and electric curtain, split electric sunshade and manual curtain on the front entrance door.The driver’s tools, built into the Scania instrument panel, are excellent to read. The dashboard incorporates the control buttons

for the chassis to the right. To the left there is the screen for the rearview camera that can also di-splay images from the navigator or the street-facing camera.The central unit features the cli-mate control system with separa-te functions for the driver and the passengers’ areas. •

AUTISTA Seats n. 53+1+1 Internal height mm 1,100 Aisle height mm 1,300 Comfort Type seats Irizar A.C. Hispacold Heater convectors Glazing double Audio-video Actia Monitor 15” and 22” Fridge yes

INTERIORSThe i6 range has been very successful, as proved by the delivery of the 1,000th vehicle in June last year and the Euro VI transition, sanctioned at Busworld Kortrijk in October, for both the ‘Integral’ model with Daf engines (not available in Italy) and the models built on chassis from the largest European manu-facturers.Such as the i6 HD 12.35 built on a Scania K450 EB4x2 chassis that BusToCoach took for a short test drive. It’s the 12.2-metre long version with a nominal height of 3.5 metres (actual height including the front dome that houses the air condi-tioning system mea-sures 3.73m), and 20 cm lower compared to the HDH models. Therefore, this va-riant can easily be adapted also for in-tercity line services.With the transition to Euro VI, the 12.7-li-tre Scania engine takes the name of DC13 124 and im-proves the perfor-mance to 450 horse-power (321 kW) and 2,350 Nm of maxi-mum torque. Reduc-tion of pollutant emissions is achieved thanks to a combination of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a catalyst (SCR) with AdBlue injection. That’s become the mandatory solution for Scania buses, which for the Euro V versions were able to do without SCR.The same engine is also available in the 410 hp version (302 kW), Euro VI compliant by means of SCR catalyst only, without the need for EGR.All models make use of the 12-speed fully automated Scania Opticruise gearbox, recen-tly optimised both in terms of software and components.The exteriors of the i6 Euro VI remain the same, featuring its original aesthetic features. Likewise, the interiors feature the same prac-tical, stylish and comfortable equipment, also for the driver. •quello che è successo nella selezione More articles about Irizar: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/487/articoli-costruttore-europa

Eleganceasstandard

IT’S the new offer by Mercedes-Benz in terms of touring coaches, fil-

ling the gap between the minibus and the classic 12-metre versions. It is the Tourismo K which thanks to its 10.3 metres in length it is ideally suited for the transport of small groups of tourists, for demanding routes with challenging manoeuvrability requirements, or as a VIP shuttle, club bus and, when nee-ded, even for intercity services with standing passengers.

Lenght mm 10,320 Width mm 2,550 Heigh with AC mm 3,365 Wheelbase mm 4,985 Front overhang mm 2,155 Rear overhang mm 3,180 Turning circle mm 17,200 Fuel tank litres 340 AdBlue tank litres 40 Luggage m3 4.2 Weight max kg 18,000

DIMENSIONS

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - March 2014 MERCEDES TOURISMO K

SMALL SIZEMULTIPURPUSE

THE three-star configura-tion can fit up to 41

Travel Star Eco seats mounted on 15 cm high-bases, with pivot-ing armrests, lateral adjustment of the aisle-side seats, adjustable backrests, footrests and uphol-steries that can be customised up to the Luxline luxury ver-sion with leather headrests.Taking advantage of the space at the rear next to the second door, it is possible to set up a service area with lavatory and kitchen with cof-fee maker, hot-dog heater and sink. This layout fits 32 seats.Passengers board the vehicle via two sliding doors that both have an

internal door width of 774 mm gi-ving way to four steps stairs.It should be noted that the rear entrance door was moved to the overhang, behind the second axle.The passenger compartment takes after the style of Mercedes touring coaches, with the underside of the

luggage racks and the side wall panels matching with the seats and curtains, automatic air conditioning system and floor convectors for ad-ditional heating.Under the open luggage racks there are the service sets with speakers, air vents and LED lights.

The driver makes use of controls and switches ergonomically arran-ged on the new driver’s station also featuring a coloured display at the centre and a joystick shift in the cockpit. The driver’s compartment also features an air-suspension seat and leather steering wheel. •

AUTISTA Seats n. 41+1+1 Internal height mm 2,010 Aisle height mm 1,060 Comfort Type seats MB Travel Star Eco A.C. automatic Heater convectors Glazing double Roof hatch electrical (optional) Audio-video Classic Line Fridge yes Kitchen optional Toilette optional

INTERIORS

As requested

The 9.4-metre Mercedes Tourino thus is re-placed by vehicle that takes advantage of the same modular system as the entire Tourismo range (RH and RHD of 12.2 and 14 m).Compared to its larger siblings, the Tourismo K is more compact in every sense. The shorter length was obtained mainly by reducing the wheelbase, but also the size of the front and

rear overhangs. Likewise, the total vehicle height was reduced by about 30 centimetres, now measuring a maximum of 3,365 mm in-cluding the air conditioning system mounted on the roof. A reduction of the same amount now puts the interior floor-height at 1,060 mm above the road.Manoeuvrability is great thanks to a lower

turning circle at just 17.2 metres and also to a wheel cut angle of 58 degrees at the insi-de front wheel. The lowered floor facilitates passengers’ entry on the Tourismo K where the second door has been moved to the rear overhang to make room for a central luggage compartment of 4.2 cubic metres capacity that can be loaded via two doors on each side of

the vehicle.The design of the front and rear sections is the same as all models in the Tourismo series. On the front it features a curved windscreen, exterior mirrors on booms and bi-xenon hea-dlamps. The rear end features two vent grilles symmetrically arranged on the engine com-partment door. In the interior, the side wall

B ehind the engine compart-ment door featuring two

symmetrically arranged grilles there is a new engine layout configuration with optimised ventilation system. In order to better disperse heat the radiator

and the fan are located to the right (with an external grille) and separated from the engine by a bulkhead.Positioned at the centre there is the 7.7-litre six-cylinder OM 936 verti-cal engine with direct common-ra-

il injection (maximum injection pressure of 2,400 bar) and 2-stage turbocharger. It delivers a maxi-mum power of 354 hp (260 kW) and torque of 1,400 Nm constant between 1,200 and 1,600 rpm.The reduction of pollutants to Euro

VI emission standards is achieved with the use of BlueTec 6 combi-ned with the partial recirculation of cooled exhaust gases (EGR), an oxidation catalytic converter, a particle filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection. It comes

with the six-speed GO 190 ma-nual transmission as standard, or, on request, with the automated GO 250-8 PowerShift transmission compatible with torque of up to 2,500 Nm, with a heat exchanger capable of keeping the temperature of the transmission at approxima-tely 80 degrees, thus increasing the oil life-cycle.A new Voith hydrodynamic wa-ter retarder with braking torque of 3,500 Nm is integrated with the transmission. •

AUTISTA Engine OM 936 Displacement c.c. 7,700 Pow. hp (kW)/rpm 354 (260)/2,200 Torque Nm/rpm 1,400/1,200-1,600 Pollution/System Euro 6/Scr+Egr Gearbox GO 190 / GO 250-8 Disc brakes with Ebs, Retarder Suspension indipendent Tyres 295/80 R 22.5

TECHNIQUE

Nm

1,400

1,000

kW

260

250

220

190

160

130

OM 936 Euro VI

1,000 1,300 1,600 1,900 2,200rpm/min

More articles about Mercedes: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/473/articoli-costruttore-europa

Continuous Braking Limiter (DBL)Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)

Brake Assist (BA)Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

Rearview camera (optional)Tyre pressure monitoring (opt.)

Fire detection systemAnti-fire system (opt)

Alcohol test (opt)

SAFETY

GO 250-8

7.7-litre Euro VI

OM 936 EGRExhaust gasrecircolation

DPFDiesel particulatefilter

SCRSelective catalyticreduction

panels and the underside of the luggage racks match the seats upholstery fabric. Seats layout and choice of comfort sets are customisable according to intended type of service, ranging from a three-star touring coach to a more ba-sic intercity line.The same applies to the driver’s area featu-ring as standard the new dashboard used in

all Tourismo models.The Tourismo K is powered by the 354 hp (260 kW) 7.7-litre OM 936 Mercedes-Benz engine with BlueTec 6 for exhaust gas after-treatment. Power is transferred by a six-speed Mercedes GO 190 manual transmission that comes as standard. Alternatively, there is the automated GO 250-8 PowerShift ei-

ght-speed transmission.It should be remembered that for the tran-sition to the Euro VI, Mercedes technicians claim that the new engines contribute to about 5% in fuel saving, also thanks to the optimi-sation of the secondary groups, in addition to lower consumption of AdBlue and engine oil as well as longer maintenance intervals.

It is also worth noting the standard safety fe-atures which include Electronic Brake System (EBS), continuos braking limiter (DBL) and the new water retarder.The vehicle can come equipped with any of the latest safety equipment, from tyre moni-toring to the fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment. •