Family - Setra

30 | The new millennium The new millennium | 31
2002
A new century begins
The new TopClass 400 was launched in early 2001.
A year later it was honoured with the coveted
“Coach of the Year 2002” award.
H
igher, faster, further –
the new century enters
with a bang. Moderation
and deceleration were yesterday.
Today, the focus is on moving
ahead – as quickly as possible.
Whether in satellite technology,
aeronautics or in social networks,
our planet certainly appears to be
turning at a faster pace than in the
previous century. Mobility is most
definitely here to stay. And Setra
is going a long way towards
supporting the trend towards
enhanced mobility – with its
beautifully conceived new series
which exceeds all expectations in
coach technology, comfort and
design.
“Experience the uniqueness
of Setra”
In Setra’s 50th anniversary year,
the new TopClass 400 series is
introduced – with models S 415 HD,
S 415 HDH and S 417 HDH. Following
the maxim “Experience the uniqueness
of Setra”, Setra treats an
audience of 5,000 to a spectacular,
futuristic show presenting the nine
magnificent new models. With the
TopClass 400, Setra once again
achieves a milestone in coach
engineering and design. For the
utmost in luxurious travel, it offers
comfort-oriented features such as
ergonomically designed seats, multimedia
systems and versatile galley
installations. The ergonomically
designed “TopDrive” cockpit
beautifully combines functionality
and aesthetics, so that the driver
can fully concentrate in his task,
for enhanced passenger safety.
Symbiosis of form and function
At the Kortrijk Busworld trade show,
no more than eight months after its
introduction, this new generation of
coaches is honoured with the
“Coach of the Year 2002” award.
The jury refers to the coaches’
combination of convincing technology
and striking design as “the
flawless symbiosis of form and
function”. The TopClass 400 also
delivers state-of-the-art technology
in terms of safety, with the following
equipment as standard: disc brakes,
the Electronic Braking System (EBS),
Antilock System (ABS), Anti-Slip
Control (ASR), Brake Assist (BA) and
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
All good things come in threes
The extension of the 400 series,
through the introduction of the
ComfortClass 400, follows in the
year 2003. These cost-effective
coaches feature outstanding design,
a newly developed cockpit and a full
series of technological innovations
both on the inside and the outside.
And, since all good things really do
come in threes, the new MultiClass
400 regional-service buses are
introduced in September 2005.
With the launch of the low-entry
S 415 NF at the 2006 IAA, Setra’s
complete model portfolio is upgraded
to the new 400 series. Over
a period of about five years, more
than 20 types and models are
developed. The MultiClass 400
targets a wide spectrum of line and
excursion applications, with the
buses delivering high-level versatility
and cost-effectiveness. During the
week, they can be used for line
service work, and on weekends,
they are ideal for excursions.
The flagship
The flagship of Setra’s premium
range is the 13.89-metre long,
four-metre high double-decker
coach – the S 431 DT – which is
introduced at the IAA for Commercial
Vehicles in Hannover in 2002.
The TopClass 400 showpiece is
developed from scratch and
represents a significant improvement
over its predecessor, the 328 DT,
especially in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Its exterior width of 2.55
metres, seating capacity expanded
by up to four seats, longer service
intervals and larger luggage compartments
all contribute to this.
Safe assistants on board
In December 2008, the first Setra
with Active Brake Assist (ABA) is
delivered – another significant step
towards enhanced coach safety.
The ABA, also known as Emergency
Brake Assist, reacts to vehicles
ahead which are driving at a slower
speed. Should there be danger of
collision, following a series of
warnings, this unique feature kicks
in with a full emergency brake.
In combination with the Adaptive
Cruise Control (ART), the ABA uses
sensors to recognise vehicles
driving ahead. The system goes a
long way towards actively avoiding
collisions, while saving operators
money through lowered insurance
premiums.
2008
2006