magazine 2010/3 - Mercedes-Benz UK

8 Cover Story Omnibus 3·2010
Piotrowski, who is responsible for the market launch of the company’s
hybrid buses.
Heading for a bright future together
It was in order to keep ahead of such trends, and to ensure sustainable
long-term mobility, that the Daimler Buses division instigated its
“Shaping Future Transportation” initiative. As part of that initiative, the
cross-brand expertise of Daimler Buses – incorporating Mercedes-Benz,
Setra and Fuso – was for the first time presented as a single, unified
entity in hall 14/15 at the show. The very look of the stand underscored
the concept at first glance: the linking and unifying element was the
so-called “Shaping Future Transportation Boulevard”, via which visitors
were routed to the various brand presentations. The core ideas behind
the initiative are to conserve resources, cut emissions and ensure
maximum road safety.The fact that such aspirations have already been
turned into reality by Mercedes-Benz is demonstrated by the Citaro
FuellCELLHybrid. With what is now its third-generation fuel cell powered
bus, the company is moving ever closer to its goal of zeroemission
mobility. The power for these vehicles is supplied by a fuel cell linked to
a serial hybrid drive. The combustion engine is rendered superfluous.
In demonstrating its safety prowess, Mercedes-Benz highlighted the
flagship of its coach range, the Travego M. Incidentally, that model has
been awarded the title of 2010 “Coach of the Year”. Alongside its unique
safety features, the high-spec coach also impressed with its distinctive
exterior design and luxurious interior. The special Travego “Safety Edition”
incorporates all currently available safety systems. It also features
the Mercedes GO 240-8 PowerShift automated eight-speed manual gearbox
with hydro-dynamic retarder, developed for the first time for a bus.
Other highlights from the Mercedes-Benz bus family on show included
the Tourismo coach, with its high levels of economy and safety and
wide range of variants; the Citaro LE overland bus, with its hugely
versatile low-floor design concept; and – celebrating its world premiere
at the IAA – the Sprinter City 77 (see pages 10 and 11).
Liveried in trendy, funky colours, and fitted out with stylish applications,
they were all real eye-catchers. “Our aim was to stand out from all
the other exhibitors at the first glance. And that is what we did,” states
a de lighted Michael Göpfarth. The buses and coaches already sold prior
to the IAA show will soon be seen on roads across Europe – and then
many more people will be able to enjoy the delights of these eye-catchers.t
www.mercedes-benz.com Photos: Markus Bollen