photography: sven-erik lindstrand and daimler top of the class · photography: sven-erik lindstrand...

$: Photography: Sven-Erik Lindstrand and Daimler Top of the Class · Photography: Sven-Erik Lindstrand and Daimler ... The letter logo ‘K’on a red ... [YPI\[PVU VM [OL ^HZOLY Å\PK$

Top of the Class

056 www.truckandbus.net.au

We WantPhotography: Sven-Erik Lindstrand and Daimler

CBT12_p056-061_SETRA.indd 56 13/12/13 2:55 PM

www.truckandbus.net.au 057

At the 2013 BusWorld exhibition in Kortrijk, Bel iu , the rst public presentation of the new Daimler Setra Flagship TopClass 500 series took place. Coach & Bus magazine was invited to a sneak preview with a proper road test prior to the show. Sven-Erik Lindstrand reports from Europe.

T



BUS SPECS

MODEL: Setra S 517 HDH 6x2

ENGINE: Mercedes-Benz OM 471

turbocharged, inline, six-cylinder with

Euro6 and SCR exhaust treatment;

Displacement - 12.8 litres, four valves per

cylinder; Power – 510hp (375kW), Torque -

2500Nm@1100rpm

TRANSMISSION: Mercedes GO 250-8,

PowerShift3 automated eight-speed with

Voith water retarder

FUEL: 520L, AdBlue - 40L

SUSPENSION: Front axle – divided; rear axle

ratio i = 3583

WHEELS: 295/80R 22.5-inch

TYRES: Continental HSW Coach

BRAKES: ESP stabilisation system with ABS

anti-lock brakes and ASR traction control

standard

ELECTRICS: Electronic level programme,

Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency

Brake, Lane Keeping alert

LIGHTING: LEDs

DIMENSIONS: Length – 14.165m; Width –

2.55m; Height – 3.880m; Wheelbase

- 6.14 / 1.35m; Overhang - 2.89m front,

2.785m rear

INTERIOR: Seats - 50 +1 +1 (or 57 +1+2);

WC, refrigerator, coffee machine

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The letter logo ‘K’on a red background? A remembrance of yesteryear.Yep, max bum comfort from seats like that. Mmmm

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”Setra, Mercedes, Freightliner and Fuso use basically the same engine adapted to Euro6.”

ly

When the bus reaches 95km/h the body is lowered automatically by 2cm.



”...about 300kg lighter due to a new body structure.”

Sven-Erik Lindstrand driving Setra’s new 500-series.Transmission controls fall easily to hand.The two batteries have been moved from under the driver’s place to next to the engine.

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A stunning-looking bus in a stunning-looking location. Love it!

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Isuzu out in force and so too VolgaBus.

Special Event

CBT12_p024-031_BusWorld.indd 24 13/12/13 2:20 PM

If hybrids were the overriding topic at the previous BusWorld 2011 in Kortrijk, Belgium, then electric

buses were the major theme of this year’s exhibition. Coach & Bus magazine’s Sven-Erik

Lindstrand reports from Europe.LLinndddssttrannnddd reportsss ffrrooommm EEuuurroope.



If you want to get to the city then you need to climb aboard this bad boy.

Scania proudly showed off its Euro6 platforms.

No, it’s not the Purple People Eater! It’s Turkey’s Pininfarina-designed Temsa LD13.

“We all live in an orange submarine. An orange submarine. An orange submarine...”


The industry’s largest single

exhibition in 2013 can now boast

of record numbers of exhibitors,

BusWorld 2013 saw 32,228 visitors and 390

true bus and coach manufacturers. The new

record in itself sends a calming signal for an

industry that has had some struggles during

recent years the world over.

Although Bus World 2013 was fully

subscribed in January, during the spring

came some disturbing signals. Several

exhibitors, including a few Chinese

OEMs, chose to completely cancel their

participation, while others wanted to reduce

their exhibition area.

First impression from the many exhibitors

was a positively charged optimism (pardon

the pun). Never before have so many

variants of electric buses been displayed in

one same place.

The Polish bus manufacturer Solaris is

spreading steadily across Europe from trolley

buses via CNG and electric hybrids to a

wide range of traditional diesel engines from

Cummins and Paccar (DAF.

Solaris has developed its own system for a

realistic measurement of the distance range

with a given amount of energy on board.

The electric Urbino has a modular battery

system that operates space-saving motors in

the wheel hubs. A 12-foot bus is estimated

to include about 34 seats, while a 18-metre

bus has 40-50 seats depending on the

For the major European bus manufacturers

diesel still applies. They all introduced their

Euro6 engines well before the new legislation

takes effect from January 1, 2014.

It became obvious during the Volvo and

Scania press conferences that the Swedes

are a divided people. Hybrid electric means

everything in Gothenburg (Volvo), while in

Södertälje (Scania) bio-gas is what will save

the world.

“Our highly focused approach to the hybrid

technology has quickly made us the world

manager Hakan Agnevall. He was referring to

the 7900 Hybrid model, which was introduced

in 2010 and until now has been delivered in

1200 units to 21 countries.

diesel is 39 per cent. With the continuous

development of the bus it has become both

a commercial success for us, while it also

paves the way for continued technological

It was then Volvo introduced an 18-metre

to a wider audience. The engine in the hybrid

is a four-cylinder 5.1-litre Euro6 version that

provides 240hp and 900Nm, while the electric

driving force comes from a 150kW Volvo

I-SAM parallel hybrid system.

The Volvo D5 engine has its roots from the

UD in Japan, which was acquired by Volvo

a few years ago. The Volvo version of this

engine block is cast in India and the engine is

buses from Volvo will come only as hybrid

versions. However, Hakan Agnevall has

greater visions than that.

“For Volvo Buses, electro-mobility is the

he said.

“Already now, plug-in test buses run in

Gothenburg and save between 70-80 per

cent of diesel. A commercial launch is

planned for 2015.

“Several exhibitors, including a few Chinese OEMs,



with our partners, will start a test line in

Gothenburg with electric buses only.

on pure electric buses. Together with our

Chinese partners a large number is sold in

China. The core of the success of all-electric

buses is not only the technology of the bus

but the involvement of the whole system and

concluded.

SCANIA 7-LITRE ENGINEThe atmosphere at Scania Park Cafe was high

when global bus manager Klas Dahlberg had

a lot to say about Scania’s full Euro6 engine

program, including a brand new 7-litre engine

for them.

Euro6. We now have an engine palette of

between 280-490hp within seven, nine and 13

collaboration with Cummins, will save a lot

of weight, along with a lighter version of ZF’s

automatic transmission it will be a saving a

our new Euro6 gas / biogas and biodiesel

engines. Gas engines are 9-litre with 280

and 340 horsepower and have outstanding

performance - particularly on intercity routes

- resulting in a better fuel economy than our

Euro5 diesels. He said Scania’s overall goal is

VAN HOOL ON THE MOVEThis classic Belgian bus brand performed

in Europe and the U.S. are pointing up,

especially with the successful new TX series

of coaches. Van Hool is thus on the offensive

in terms of both technology and production

structure and boasted the largest booth at

the show.

Fuel cell appears to be the best for the

future, Filip Van Hool, CEO of the company,

said at the show.

From an overall perspective, it was

Van Hool’s Multi Propulsion Platform

that impressed the most. This involves

everything from fuel cells to both diesel and

CNG-hybrids as well as trolley buses and

full electric buses with different charging

methods.

Another important innovation was

the all-electric Van Hool A308-E. The

9.5-metre long and 2.35-metre wide bus

was displayed at the exhibition as a school

bus. It can be charged both inductively and

conductively. Three of this model will be in

operation in Bruges, Belgium in the spring

of 2014.

Most notable was the creation with the

bus exists as both 18-metre single-jointed

articulated and 24 metres double jointed. The

model is available in both diesel and CNG-

hybrid as well as in trolleybus version.

NEW FROM VDL

Polish manufacturer Solaris has its distance vs energy calculations going on.

Solaris Urbino with motors in the wheel hubs - can you dig it?

VDL’s 12-metre low-entry Citea midi got plenty of attention.

Belgium’s Van Hool doing great things in the States.

chose to completely cancel their participation”


punches in Kortrijk. Its electric 12-metre

Citea was outside in the rain, ready for a test

wide variety of battery and other operational

solutions to make the electric bus as attractive

as possible.

models. For those who want a bus that goes

with everything the FMD2 seems like a good

choice. It comes in two sizes, 12.2 and 12.29

metres with two versions of the MX11 engine

from DAF/Paccar, and several transmission

options from ZF. The model is ready for

delivery in the summer of 2014.

a midi bus with low entry and 2.45 metres

wide. The bus is a response to demand from

European operators in the size range of 8.8 to

10.8 metres. It will be available in four different

lengths and mainly with Cummins engines

with Voith transmissions.

as a 18.0-metre articulated bus, which is also

available in 18.75 metres. Available with both

three- and four-door, most in it was from the

environment and powertrains.

IVECOIrisbus’ happy dolphin logo that bites its own

tail is now history. Today it is Iveco Bus that

is applicable and the IVECO logo is what’s on

the front. Citelis models are also gone and

replaced by Urbanway.

Among the tourist coaches both Crossway

and Magelys were represented.

The four-axle electric concept bus Ellisup

brought some excitement with its large

windows and 17.5-inch wheels on twin axles.

Supercapacitors, which are all included in

this plug-in hybrid. It supposedly runs a

10km distance on an automated four-minute

pantograf charging at a bus stop.

TEMSA

uses DAF MX11 engines except in MD9

Midi model where MAN 0836 is used. Some

models use the Cummins 6.7-litre mainly for

their French customers.

replacing Tourmaline and the high Safari

version.

is the stainless steel chasis and frame.

In the USA, Temsa’s introduction from its

buses will be sold in North America and a

target of 350 has been set for 2014.

CHINAAs mentioned, some of the numerous Chinese

manufacturers were late cancellations.

However, present were, among others,

Yutong, BYD (Build Your Dreams) and, of

vehicle exported from Xiamen in China.

The brand focuses on Cummins engines for

their export models, but also Iveco Cursor

appears in certain models.

Electric buses were all the talk at the 2013 show.

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“Never before have so many variants of



The CM 150E hybrid looked great from behind...

The Iveco Ellisop concept bus got stacks of interested from punters.

... and from up front. Triple-headlight headlight treatment executed well here.

It may not be easy being green, but these two look like environmentally friendly ladies to us.

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Customers got a chance to test drive buses on the nearby outside circuit.Mercedes-Benz made the most of debuting its latest Sprinter Minibus.MAN was out in force with a stunning new articulated number.

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electric buses been displayed in one place.”

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1 CusCu tomers got a chance tto testss driveCustomers got a chance tto test drive 1



After ACDC played, they got stuck into some hard-core bus tutorials. Rargh!

Hours of fun and that’s just for the adults, really.

Eurabus’ electric bus was shocking - in a good way.

Belgium’s answer to The Two Ronnies, perhaps.

And this is before Pimp My Ride got to it? Looks great either way.

“...a variety of battery and other operational solutions



Busworld, founded in 1971, is the market leader in worldwide exhibitions for bus and coach with exhibitions in Europe, Turkey, Eastern Europe, India, Asia and Latin America, it’s claimed. These events are held specifically in: Europe (Kortrijk), Turkey (Istanbul), Asia (China), Eastern Europe (Kiev), India (Mumbai) and Latin America (Bogotá).Busworld wants to serve as a global platform for the officials, professionals and representatives of the worldwide bus and coach building and operating industry.For further information visit www.busworld.org

ABOUT THE SHOW

The ‘cleaner’ the bus the better chance you saw it at the 2013 BusWorld show.

If this ever becomes an Olympic event then these two gals win gold, hands down!

to make the electric bus as attractive as possible.”


photography: sven-erik lindstrand and daimler top of the class · photography: sven-erik lindstrand...

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