English
Mercedes-Benz Tourismo
20.06.2007 - 00:00

German version

Mercedes-Benz Tourismo:
a new star among touring coaches

  • New, especially economical model series in the business segment
  • New Mercedes-Benz Tourismo range consists of four high-deck touring coaches
  • New two-axle variant, 13-metre coach
  • Comprehensive safety equipment including ESP
  • Powerful and economical Euro 4 engines with Blue-Tec diesel technology
  • Unpretentiously designed body from the Mercedes-Benz family of buses
  • Friendly and functionally designed passenger compartment
  • Convenient convector heating, efficient air conditioning
  • Driver-oriented cockpit with joystick gearshift
  • Best possible corrosion protection thanks to cathodic dip priming

The most successful European high-deck touring coach of recent years is making way for its successor. Following on from more than 12,000 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches of the previous generation, the comprehensively upgraded Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is set to become a new star among the touring coaches, with nothing but the name in common with its predecessor. As before, the focus of the new Tourismo is on the business segment, with an accomplished and contemporary mixture of economy, convenience and safety. Nonetheless, the new Tourismo possesses a state-of-the-art platform with the latest in safety technology.

A building row covers several segments
The new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo covers a range of segments. It is the successor to the previous Tourismo and at the same time, thanks to its versatility, the replacement for the previous models Integro H and Travego RH. As an economical all-round coach, it is suitable for a broad spectrum of applications in the wide-ranging segment covering touring, transfers and excursions. It sets a new standard for safety in its class, also offers a modern design typical of its brand and, most of all, provides the proven quality of Mercedes-Benz.

The modern and extremely impressively designed new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is also filling a very different role to that of its predecessor. Formerly a solitary product, with just one, albeit extremely successful model that was characterised by its comprehensive appointments, the Tourismo is now appearing as a complete model series and with individual equipment features.

Range of four high-deck touring coaches including a 13-metre, two-axle coach
The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo touring coach model series will consist of four high-deck touring coaches: the two-axle Tourismo (length 12.1 metres); the Tourismo M/2 (13 metres), also with two axles and the three-axle Tourismo M (13 metres) and Tourismo L (14 metres). The height reaches 3620 mm, including the centrally located, roof-mounted air conditioning system with a standard output of 32 kW or 35 kW (depending on the coach type). With this coach, Mercedes-Benz covers the increasingly attractive and extremely competitive business segment for functional high-deck touring coaches with hardly the slightest gap. As a result, the Tourismo satisfies the coach operators’ needs for a made-to-measure high-deck vehicle for a wide spectrum of applications better than ever before. The target markets for the new Tourismo are all of Europe, including Turkey and the Middle East.

From the economic point of view, both the 12.1-metre Tourismo and, in particular, the unusual variant of the two-axle Tourismo M/2 with a length of 13 metres are of interest. Thanks to the extension of the wheelbase from 6080 mm to 6900 mm, it offers one row of seats or four places more than normal with the same number of axles — e.g. 53 passenger places in the three-star seating with on-board toilet. This variant is primarily interesting in countries such as France, where there is a gross vehicle weight rating of 19 tonnes for two-axle vehicles. Nonetheless, the Tourismo M/2 also offers an especially economical alternative for other countries.

The idea behind the Tourismo M/2 is founded on a design strictly optimised in terms of weight without reducing stability. Examples of this approach include the reduced thickness of the panes in the side windows, a lighter front box and the aluminium wheels, which all come as part of the standard specification. And the purchaser also has the option of dispensing with a spare wheel, as a further measure to reduce weight.

Unpretentiously designed body from the Mercedes-Benz family of buses
With its flowing and unpretentious design, the body of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo has a modern and pleasing look. Its membership of the Mercedes-Benz family of buses and coaches is unmistakeably apparent from the first glimpse of its front end. A striking and three-dimensionally designed front panel with air intake connects the main headlamps. The Mercedes star is centrally placed, on a base. At rest, the windscreen wipers sit discreetly on a darkened strip along the lower edge of the windscreen. The windscreen itself rises up underneath the roof in a smooth curve.

Smooth-surfaced, the side walls of the new Tourismo make it straightforward to apply company logos and decoration, and are especially easy to clean. Neither strips nor swage lines disturb the harmonious image. The bonded side windows sit flush with the surface like a continuous band on the window frames. The bus’s belt line runs diagonally down and forward at the level of the first side window, merging smoothly into the lower edge of the windscreen.
Character line for a filigree look
The Tourismo’s character line also takes up the same gesture at a higher level. It lends the silhouette of the new touring coach an almost filigree appearance. Extending out of the character line, above the driver’s and the door window, are the arms of the exterior mirrors. These mirrors, with their exemplary, wide fields of view, are taken directly from the Mercedes-Benz Travego. The mirror housings and arms are coloured a discreet black.

The rear of the new touring coach, too, shows its relationship with the other buses and coaches from Mercedes-Benz. Whether it is the high-reaching V-shaped rear window, the three-dimensionally designed rear lights or the engine flap with its trapezoidal air intake, the form of which is echoed in an embossing further up the back panel, the new Tourismo is instantly recognisable as a Mercedes-Benz coach, even without the brand lettering in the rear window.

Friendly and functionally designed passenger compartment
Passengers entering the new Mercedes-Benz touring coach from the front pass through a wide entrance. After three low steps, they reach the driver’s-seat platform. Two further low steps lead up to the centre aisle. The way through the centre door leads up, via five steps, to the centre aisle, which is 1330 mm above the road surface. The design of the passenger compartment is as friendly as it is functional. With a standing room height of 2010 mm in the centre aisle, it is sufficient for even tall passengers. The external width of 2.55 mm means that the interior offers lots of freedom of movement for the passengers. The large windows contribute especially to the airy atmosphere of the passenger compartment, permitting an almost uninterrupted side view along the entire length of the bus.

Those familiar with the previous model of the Tourismo will recognise a familiar stylistic element in the lighting. Mounted centrally on the ceiling, the interior lights have retained the typical oval form of the previous model’s lights. The lights themselves are, however, new. With two-way switchable interior illumination and a discreet ambient night light setting, they combine multiple functions.
Comfortable “Travel-Star Plus” passenger seats
Passengers are comfortable seated on “Travel-Star Plus” model twin seats, which are mounted on 150-mm-high platforms arranged to the right and left of the central aisle. The in-house-manufactured seats are impressive in their relaxing upholstery and comfortable side support. Both the backrests and the inner armrest of the twin seat on the aisle side are adjustable. Unlike in the Mercedes-Benz Travego, the aisle side armrests in the Tourismo fold upwards. Two grab handles and luggage nets are fitted as standard on the back side of each seat. In addition, a folding table with a cup holder and folding footrests are also optionally available.

Above the passengers, the new, harmonious and attractively designed service sets are integrated flush with the surface of the air ducts in the roof. The service sets, which were individually developed for the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, incorporate reading lights, adjustable round ventilation nozzles, loudspeakers, courier call button and stop request button. The spacious, open stowage compartments for the hand luggage are semi-cantilevered and subdivided by slim braces. These prevent the luggage sliding.


Generously designed luggage space offers up to 11 m³ volume
Passengers’ suitcases and bags also have plenty of room, in the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo’s generously dimensioned luggage compartment. In line with the other buses and coaches of the new generation from Mercedes-Benz, the high-deck touring coach comes with just two luggage compartment flaps on each side of the coach in the two long variants Tourismo and Tourismo M. This also makes the driver’s life easier, when it comes to loading and unloading the luggage compartment. Hinged flaps are fitted as standard, but luggage compartment flaps equipped with a lifting mechanism for opening can be fitted as an option. The Tourismo M/2 and Tourismo L have three flaps on each side.

If the bus is fitted with the optional on-board toilet, the volume of the luggage compartment in the Tourismo and Tourismo M is 8.4 m³, in the Tourismo M/2 10.6 m³ and reaches a value of 11.0 m³ in the case of the Tourismo L. The new Tourismo can also be fitted with an optional multipurpose space between the central door and drive axle, which can in turn be equipped as a quiet space for the driver. An additional stowage compartment is optionally available above the front axle and/or the drive axle.

Convenient convector heating, efficient air conditioning
Optimum climatic comfort is also ensured on board the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. Cosy temperatures in winter are provided by the hot-water convector heater with its comfortable radiant heat. For keeping a cool head in the hotter seasons, the air conditioning system is fitted as standard. The version fitted to the Tourismo, Tourismo M/2 and Tourismo M as standard achieves a cooling output of 32 kW; the system fitted to the Tourismo L delivers 35 kW. Two manual roof hatches support interior ventilation when required. They are available with electrical opening as an option.

In contrast to its predecessor, the new Tourismo is characterised by individuality. An on-board toilet, available as either a water or a chemical model, can optionally be fitted to the right of the central entrance. The galley, which is also optional, is available in a number of variants. The on-board entertainment system ranging from a radio to CD player can be optionally extended by the addition of a DVD player. In this case, the appointments also include two 15-inch flat screens.

Driver-oriented cockpit with joystick gearshift
Drivers familiar with the coaches from Mercedes-Benz will feel right at home behind the adjustable four-spoke steering wheel of the new Tourismo. Although the driver-oriented, semicircular cockpit has been redesigned and ergonomically optimised, it displays the characteristic elements that make it undeniably a Mercedes-brand touring coach. The central instrument panel contains two large dials that clearly show the vehicle’s speed and rpm, while two smaller instruments indicate the coolant temperature and the amount of fuel left in the tank. Meanwhile, a central display contains further instruments that indicate, for example, how much Ad-Blue is left in the container.

Next to the front entrance is a folding seat suited for use by tour guides. A twin seat for two tour guides can be installed as an option. Thanks to the Tourismo’s extended front end, the tour guide enjoys considerable freedom of movement. The easily accessible chest refrigerator in the front section has a 51-litre capacity.


Comprehensive safety equipment including ESP
Safety has a high priority in all buses and coaches from Mercedes-Benz, including the new Tourismo. Like all of the brand’s other new touring coaches, the Tourismo is equipped with an exemplary range of safety features as standard: the Electronic Braking System (EBS), disc brakes all round, the anti-lock braking system (ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), Brake Assist (BA), cruise control, hydrodynamic retarder, Continuous Braking Limiter (DBL) and, above all, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Other important components of the vehicle’s active safety systems are the ergonomically optimised cockpit for easy coach operation and the electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors with their very large viewing angles. If an accident becomes unavoidable, the strong assembly of the coach frame with annular frame members ensures that the coach interior remains intact even if the vehicle should roll over.

Powerful yet thrifty Euro 4 engines with Blue-Tec diesel technology
All models of the new Tourismo are equipped with the Euro 4-compliant OM 457 LA six-cylinder inline turbodiesel engine, which has 12 litres of displacement. In the two-axle versions Tourismo and Tourismo M/2, the horizontally mounted OM 457 hLA is available in two output classes: 260 kW (354 hp) and 300 kW (408 hp). The engines have a maximum torque of 1600 Nm and 1900 Nm respectively. The three-axle Tourismo M and Tourismo L are powered by vertically mounted OM 457 LA engines with an output of 315 kW (428 hp) and an extremely high maximum torque of 2100 Nm. The vehicle’s sophisticated noise insulation system deserves particular mention, as the development engineers at EvoBus GmbH used the free space between the horizontally mounted engine and the passenger compartment to create a particularly sound-proof intermediate floor.

The engines on the new Tourismo are fitted with Blue-Tec diesel technology and a downstream SCR catalytic converter and comply with the EU emissions standard Euro 4. This technology not only ensures a clean exhaust, but also very low fuel consumption. The Tourismo has a very long range, thanks to the high capacity of the fuel tank of 490 litres in the two-axle version and 475 litres in the three-axle coach. The same applies to the Ad-Blue tank, which can hold either 50 litres or 60 litres of the solution, depending on the variant. This amount of Ad-Blue is sufficient for a distance that corresponds to several fillings of the fuel tank. The Ad-Blue filler aperture is located right next to the fuel filler neck.

Highly efficient, due in part to long maintenance intervals
Because of its low fuel consumption, the new Tourismo is also inexpensive to operate. However, the low operating costs are also due to the long maintenance intervals of 90,000 km. To this end, functionality has been the guiding principle in the design of the drive train down to the last detail. As a result, the new Tourismo has the air intakes for the engine located far above the soiling area along the sides of the coach. This arrangement ensures that the corresponding filters will have a long service life.

Power transmission by means of six-speed transmissions
[BLOCK)Engine power is transmitted to the tried-and-tested Mercedes-Benz HO6 hypoid axle by means of six-speed transmissions. Whereas coaches equipped with the low and medium-output engines are fitted with a Mercedes-Benz GO 190 transmission, the GO 210 transmission is used in connection with the highest output rating.[/BLOCK]
The Tourismo on the road: comfortable, safe and agile
[BLOCKThe chassis of the new Tourismo is identical to that used in the brand’s other coach, the Travego. As such, it is proof of the highest levels of safety and comfort. The independent double wishbone suspension at the front, the drive axle featuring wheel location via longitudinal link plus a wishbone, and the stabilisers at the front and rear axles ensure a high performance.

Like all of Mercedes-Benz other new-generation buses and coaches, the new Tourismo is extremely manoeuvrable. The turning circle of the 12.1-metre Tourismo, for example, is only 21 metres. The other variants Tourismo M/2 (23.1 m), Tourismo M (21.3 m) and Tourismo L (23.7 m) are likewise extremely agile in relation to their lengths. In the three-axle models Tourismo M and Tourismo L, manoeuvrability is further improved by the electrohydraulic trailing axle RAS (Rear Axle Steering) from ZF. This steered axle is also active when driving in reverse, thus providing considerable assistance during manoeuvring.[/BLOCK]
Robust electrical and electronic systems
Like the Travego, the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is equipped with enhanced electronics. Although the electronic system is still based on the successful flexibly programmed control system (FPS), the number of control units was cut from six to five, thereby reducing the complexity of the system as a whole. At the same time, its functionality has been further increased.

Many convenience systems on board the new Tourismo deliberately utilise a conventional electronic system with fuses and relays. Among other things, the electronics operate the blinds, power windows, audio and video systems, and the on-board galley. In addition to being easily repairable anywhere in Europe and the adjoining countries, this electronic design was chosen because additional systems can easily be retrofitted. As a result, it is now possible to fit a tow coupling (including power sockets), for example, without requiring any additional software downloads. All in all, the combination of FPS and conventional electronics is very robust and practical.

The Hosdere plant is one of the most modern bus factories in the world
The new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo high-deck touring coach is manufactured at DaimlerChrysler’s Hosdere plant in Turkey, which is located near Istanbul. In addition to assembling other Mercedes-Benz buses especially for the Turkish and eastern European markets, the Hosdere plant has been producing the Mercedes-Benz Travego touring coach since 2005. DaimlerChrysler has been manufacturing buses in Turkey since 1968, when it began producing the legendary Mercedes Benz O 302, which many bus operators and drivers still remember well. The company has built around 45,000 buses and coaches in Turkey since 1968, many of which have been successfully exported to western Europe.

Best possible corrosion protection thanks to new cathodic dip priming facility
The new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is also benefiting from the extensive modernisation of the Hosdere plant, which was completed last year. The key element of the modernisation measures was the installation of a new cathodic dip priming facility, which ensures the best possible corrosion protection. A new body shop was built as well. The production and quality standards in Hosdere are at the same high level as in other DaimlerChrysler locations due to the use of identical processes and, above all, the high standards of training for the employees.

Favourable price, delivery at year-end
Despite the greater degree of individualisation possible with the new Tourismo compared to its predecessors and the large number of new appointments and safety features, the new high-deck touring coach costs less than its predecessor when fitted with comparable equipment and taking into account the differences in the technical concept (Euro 4-compliant engines, ESP). The four variants of the new Tourismo will gradually be introduced to the European market over the coming six months. Customer deliveries will commence at the end of 2006, when the first 12.1-metre two-axle Tourismo coaches will be shipped. The three-axle versions and the 13-metre two-axle Tourismo M/2 will follow at the start of the spring travel season in 2007.



Photos and text:
EvoBus GmbH - Mercedes Omnibusse


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