2024-02 SUSTAINABLE BUS

COMPARISON
ing in the event of obstacles, while still
taking standing passengers into account.
A modular redesign made it possible to
obtain four lengths, as for the other models,
all with a partially lowered floor.
The modular structure envisages, for all
variants, the same overhangs (2,710 mm
at the front and 3,300 mm at the rear),
just as the central door position remains
unchanged, always 1,540 mm in front of
the drive axle.
ing and an outward-rolling movement.
Seating capacities are interesting in configurations
without wheelchairs’ area,
from 39 to 63; in the case of a platform,
however, there are four fewer seats (excluding
any folding seats). Still speaking
about seats, there are different types
available on the MultiClass, depending
on whether Class I or Class II homologation
is requested. They range from the
monocoque for urban use, to the classic
fixed upholstered seat for short- and
medium-haul scheduled services, to the
Four sizes available
As anticipated, there are four sizes: 10.51
meters (S510 LE), 12.21 meters (S515
LE) and 12.92 meters (S516 LE) for the
two-axle versions, in addition to 14.52
meters (S518 LE) for the three-axle version.
The first vehicles in the intermediate
lengths are already on delivery, while for
the ‘normal’ and ‘extra-long’ models we
have to wait a few more months.
The two access doors in the lowered
section can be single (900 or 1,150 mm
compartment) or double doors (1,380 mm
compartment), with an optional third single
door behind the rear axle, with three
steps inside. Depending on the door type,
there is a choice between an inward-rollsemi-tourist
seat equipped with all the accessories
to cope with longer transfers in
comfort. According to this principle, even
the overhead luggage racks (available on
request only in the lowered part) can include
individual lights and air vents.
Air conditioning is provided by a roof unit
with a cooling capacity of between 32 and
39 kW, supplemented by a driver’s front
box with a separate evaporator, plus a set
of unit heaters for the passenger compartment.
There are even three types of dashboard
in the driver’s seat: the Cockpit
City (compliant with VDV regulations),
the Cockpit Basic City (more suitable for
scheduled service) and the Cockpit Basic
(more similar to the ComfortClass touring
range). Of course, each of these allows for
further customisation in the number and
position of individual controls.
How to improve driver’s life...
The rain sensor, the light sensor and the
electronically controlled parking brake
are standard equipment. The latter combines
practicality of use with safety: to
engage the brake, simply operate the
brake lever or the ‘P’ button, while to
release it, simply press the accelerator
or press ‘P’ again, integrating the hill
start assist function. Brake activation
can also occur automatically when the
driver unbuckles the seat belt while the
vehicle is stationary.
Options include an advanced 360° view
system, consisting of four cameras (two
on the sides and two on the heads) and
a 10-inch monitor mounted to the left
of the windscreen and divided into two
parts: one shows the four sides of the
bus at the same time, while the other
switches automatically according to the
direction taken or when reverse gear is
engaged (or according to the driver’s
choice). The device is normally active at
speeds below 30 km/h and can take images
up to a distance of 5-6 meters from
the vehicle, i.e. more than an entire lane.
The powertrain is made up of familiar
and reliable components: the two-axle
vehicles are equipped with the popular
7.7-litre OM 936 inline six-cylinder engine,
which is available in the two usual
power ratings of 299 and 354 horsepower;
the three-axle model, on the other
hand, is fitted with the 10.7-litre OM
470 inline six-cylinder engine with 394
horsepower. Both can be powered by
Seating capacities are interesting
in configurations
without wheelchairs’ area,
from 39 to 63; in the case
of a platform there are 4
fewer seats (excluding any
folding seats). Different
types of seats are available,
depending on the
homologation class.
HVO and the 7-litre model, like the Intouro,
can be complemented by the mild
hybrid module. In this case, a 14 kW auxiliary
electric motor is installed between
the engine and gearbox, acting as a current
generator when releasing and braking,
as well as supporting the heat engine
at start-up, thanks to two small 48 VDC
supercapacitors mounted on the roof. As
many as four gearboxes are available, although
not all of them can be matched
to all models: the Mercedes GO 190 sixspeed
manually-controlled mechanical
gearbox (for two-axle models only), the
ZF Ecolife 2 six-speed automatic gearbox,
the Voith NXT seven-speed automatic
gearbox, or the Mercedes GO 250
PowerShift eight-speed automated mechanical
gearbox. The GO 250 8 automated
mechanical transmission is paired
with the latest version of PPC (Predictive
Powertrain Control), which is capable of
adapting the gear shift programme to the
driver’s driving style and, above all, to
the topography of the road. The predictive
function integrates a vehicle localisation
system and a map archive for the
whole of Europe, so that it acts not only
when changing gears but also when approaching
crossroads, road junctions and
built-up areas; safety, driving comfort
and fuel consumption all benefit from it.
The axles remain the independent-wheel
ZF RL82EC at the front and the hypoid-type
Mercedes RO 440 at the rear,
with numerous
possible gear
ratios, ranging
from i = 3.1 to
i = 5.87, depending
on the
chosen transmission
and the
standard route
type. The third
axle of the 518
LE is independent-wheel
drive
and provides
active steering
control even
in reverse. Depending
on the
type of service
required, the
wheels can be fitted with either 275/70 R
22.5 city tyres or 295/80 R 22.5 extra-urban
tyres, which bring the sill height to
314 mm and 355 mm respectively, excluding
kneeling.
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