Award-winning design - Setra · Better living in the 190-metre high “Turning Torso” 38 with stunning views of Copenhagen. The new Setra Setra CustomerCenter‘s interior has been

W o r l d

Four decades of high-deck touringThe S 215 HD meets the S 515 HD

Page 10

Singing in the rainDriving report: the S 418 LE business

Page 32

T h e m a g a z i n e f o r p e o p l e w i t h a p a s s i o n f o r c o a c h e s a n d b u s e s

N u mb er 5 7 | Is s u e 1/ 1 6

Award-winning design An architectural tour with the TopClass 500

Page 22

Let there be lightSetra with LED headlamps

Page 16

Setra Editorial | 03

“The key success factors are excellent products in just the

right mix – to suit your needs and aligned to your

business success.”

Dear customers and friends of the Setra brand,

when was the last time you felt a real sense of happiness at work? This feeling most often arises when you are fulfilled with the success of something to which you have given serious commitment. As Head of Design Daimler Buses, Mathias Lenz and his team have been designing our coaches and buses for years. A task that not only calls for creativity and a highly developed aesthetic sense, but also enthusiasm. And when a Setra is yet again honoured with a prestigious design award, we know for sure that Mathias Lenz is filled with a sense of happiness.Our colleagues from development faced a very different challenge when they adapted and evolved the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) feature, originally conceived for trucks, to the specific needs of coaches and buses. The reward following the intense testing phase, two years after the introduction of PPC, is the positive feedback coming in from the field. Savings of four to six per cent in fuel not only delight our customers, but also our development team.For my part, I am very pleased with the success Setra enjoyed in 2015 and the brand’s very positive start in 2016. The key success factors are excellent products in just the right mix – to suit your needs and aligned to your business success. The best example is our Low Entry S 418 LE business model, with up to 64 seats and custom-tailored for high-traffic intercity lines.Setra fans’ eyes always shine bright at the sight of the S 215 HD from the Classic Coach Collection, which we profile in this issue, together with the S 515 HD. And, speaking of bright eyes, both the ComfortClass 500 and TopClass 500 are now also available with optional integrated LED headlights. A world premiere that makes us very proud here at Setra.I hope you enjoy reading the many articles we have compiled for you in this latest issue of SetraWorld.

Best regards,

Ulrich BastertHead of Marketing, Sales and Customer ServicesDaimler Buses

Easy driveability, even in stormy weather: the Setra S 418 LE business.

02 | Setra Impressions

Timeless, aesthetic design

Customised

07 | Everything in its place Optional equipment for the LE business

41 | A double-decker line for Nice Off to work in the S 431 DT

Fascination & technology

14 | Ideal for mountains and valleys Saving fuel with Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC)

16 | Let there be light World premiere: integrated LED headlamps for Setra touring coaches

31 | Navigating traffic – safe and relaxed The additional Stop & Go function

32 | Singing in the rain Driving report: the S 418 LE business

Travel in Style

10 | The Setra HD – of course! Meeting of two high-deckers S 215 HD and S 515 HD

22 | Award-winning design An architectural tour with the TopClass 500

Get-togethers

06 | First Class across Portugal Greenbus from Porto takes on two S 516 HDH coaches

08 | The people behind the Setra brand A profile: Mathias Lenz, Head of Design at Daimler Buses

30 | The largest Setra fleet in Eastern Europe 30 ComfortClass 500 coaches for SAD Prievidza

36 | A look back and a look ahead The most important events at a glance

42 | Joining forces Setra in the production network

Every designer dreams of creating a timeless design – a so-called design classic. The benchmark is set very high especially when it comes to designing a Setra coach which strives to remain modern and aesthetically pleasing over a very long period of time.SetraWorld spoke with Mathias Lenz, Head of Design at Daimler Buses, about the challenges he faces. We also take a look at Scandinavia, where parallels between the local design philosophy and Setra’s design aspirations in terms of timeless aesthetics come to light.

Get-togethers08 | Evolution rather than revolution

In an interview with Mathias Lenz, we explore what is decisive in coach design. And we gain insight on how he and his team succeed in always developing something unique in spite of a challenging legal and technical framework.

Travel in Style22 | Architectural masterpieces

along the Öresund Copenhagen and Malmö are booming and appear to be magically attracting contemporary star architects. We visited both cities on the shores of the Öresund with the S 516 HDH, which beautifully combines award-winning design and high-tech just like the local prestigious architectural projects.

Horizons38 | Feel-good functional aesthetics

Functionality is a key aspect of Scan- dinavian design. We profile examples of successful Scandinavian design while highlighting parallels with the Setra brand’s design principles.

Service & support

28 | New from the Setra Shop The S 516 HD miniature model

29 | Help for the helpers OMNIplus has updated its Rescue Guidelines

Horizons

38 | Form follows function Scandinavian design and the Setra brand

Imprint

Publisher:EvoBus GmbH Setra OmnibusseMercedesstraße 127/670327 Stuttgart (Germany) Tel. +49 731 181-0Fax +49 731 181-2418www.setra-bus.com

Responsible for content:Reiner Hörter BUS/MPM-BHead of Brand Communications

The following people worked on this issue:Christine Denzel, BUS/MPM-BAngelika Miller, BUS/MME-CEgemen Aydin, BUS/MPP-I

Concept, editorial work, layout:Newport3 GmbH & Co. KGNeumann-Reichardt-Str. 27-3322041 Hamburg (Germany)www.newport3.de

Production:Final Art ProductionNeumann-Reichardt-Str. 27-3322041 Hamburg (Germany)

In Focus

08 Good design is teamwork: Mathias Lenz,

Head of Design at Daimler Buses.16 The Setra ComfortClass 500 and TopClass 500 are now available

with optionally integrated LED headlights.22 Better living in the 190-metre high “Turning Torso”

with stunning views of Copenhagen.38 The new Setra Setra CustomerCenter‘s interior has been influenced

by timeless Scandinavian furniture design.

Setra Content | 0504 | Setra Content

E xclusive guests, exclusive destinations and, of course, exclusive vehicles. Since 2007, the Greenbus company in the Portuguese

city of Porto has specialised in offering transportation services in the premium/luxury segment. No other vehicle could be more ideally suited for groups than a Setra TopClass 500, thought company owner Paulo Santos when he ordered two S 516 HDH coaches. They are not only the very first new Setra coaches in his fleet, they are also the first TopClass 500 vehicles Setra has ever delivered to Portugal. “We always strive to make our guests’ journey to their destination as pleasant as possible,” says Paulo Santos. “With these two Setra S 516 HDH coaches, I know we will succeed.”

A glance at the young company’s references clearly suggests that the new coaches would have to meet the highest standards: football clubs, golf professionals and businessmen from around the world are among Greenbus’ regular clientele, as are global companies and institutions that hold their meetings and conferences in the Algarve, Lisbon or Porto. Greenbus’ offering encompasses shuttle rides between airports and hotels, all the way through to Portugal sight-seeing tours over several days. Well-trained drivers and an exquisite fleet are available to Greenbus’ discerning guests. The fleet includes sleek sports cars, handsome limousines and elegantly equipped vans – and most recently, two stunning premium Setra touring coaches.

With their elegant Silverstone Metallic exteriors, the two S 516 HDH coaches offer passengers a high-quality interior that promises well-being, comfortable amenities and state-of-the-art safety technology. The TopSky Panorama glass roof above the centre aisle conveys a generous feeling of space in the passenger compartment while ensuring a bright, friendly ambiance. Each coach’s 55 comfortable Setra Voyage Ambassador seats with leather design elements invite passengers to make themselves entirely at home.

They are all equipped with three-point belts. Advanced features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ART) and Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA 3), an emergency braking system that automatically initiates full braking of the vehicle in response to stationary obstacles ahead, ensure additional passenger safety. Greenbus owner Paulo Santos is confident: “With the TopClass 500, we will further consolidate our image as a leader in the premium segment.”

Setra TopClass 500 for Greenbus

As a leading coach operator in Portugal, Greenbus

in Porto recently put two Setra S 516 HDH touring

coaches into operation.

First Class across Portugal

Greenbus owner Paulo Santos (left) taking delivery of his two new Setra S 516 HDH coaches in Neu-Ulm.

C ity bus drivers know them well. In fact, they are mandatory in many tenders for intercity lines. We’re referring to the so-called

Euro modules with inclined open drawers for controls above the driver’s seat. Especially large-volume customers insist on the Euro modules as standardised control components in their vehicles. For the Low Entry from Setra, the Euro module is now available to customers as a practical optional alternative to the optional closed storage compartment.With the Euro module, control components are moved from the instrument panel up into the overhead area. These may include the

digital tachograph, destination system controls, as well as controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, an announcement device or a radio. The Euro modules for the LE business can accommodate up to three of these devices. As an additional benefit, they enable the previously occupied DIN compartments in the cockpit to be transformed into practical open shelves. Above the inclined module – and thanks to its “sawtooth” shape – there is also storage space for a standard 19-inch slide-in unit, as used for the assembly of electrical components.

What to do with the cash register and large driver’s bag? The answer is a new optional door for the cab.Previously, the optional door to the cab served more as weather protection when the door is open and to separate the driver from the passengers. Now, the Low Entry with a new, optionally available door creates space for the equipment components typically required in service applications. An enlarged horizontal storage shelf space on the inside of the door can now take on large driver bags. The rugged metal construction of the shelf itself can even carry more weight. An additionally available arbor on the front of the driver’s cab door brings order and clarity to the cash and ticket printing unit. There is now sufficient space for the cash box within easy reach. The previously used arbor in the instrument panel now only accepts a printer. The innovative options open up a well-organised and tidy cockpit for service applications, while enabling the driver’s gaze to focus on the road ahead.This requires a completely new door construction, based on a solid metal frame, which is covered on both sides. Since the door has to carry a significantly higher weight, it is hinged at the rear to a newly developed ceiling-high metal column.

Everything in its place

Inclined units above

the driver’s seat in

the Setra LE business

tidy up the cockpit

and make room for

additional storage.

Setra Customised | 07

Two optional extras for the LE business

06 | Setra Get-togethers

... design is an ongoing development ...

An interview with Mathias Lenz, Head of Design at Daimler Buses

Setra Get-togethers | 0908 | Setra Get-togethers

With perfection, passion and a well-tuned instinct for future developments, Mathias Lenz, Head of Design at Daimler Buses, and his team shape the appearance of Setra coaches. From the first sketch onwards, they combine functionality with exceptional design in view of harmoniously evolving the well-known Setra brand design from series to series. In doing so, they constantly bridge tradition and modernity. Further developing this balancing act with each new model is something that Mathias Lenz finds especially compelling. In this interview, the expert explains the role design plays for him.

Mr Lenz, what is your area of responsibility and what are the main tasks associated with your work?Since early 2010, I have been Head of Design at Daimler Buses. We are located in Neu-Ulm, Germany. But the division is responsible for all interior and exterior design of the entire range of coaches and buses under the Setra and Mercedes-Benz brands worldwide.

What are the challenges you face in your position?Unlike in the car sector, in the case of coaches and buses, the cube-shaped structure strongly determines the package. And the challenge is to shape and express the Setra brand face with various design elements. Other challenges, of course, are the legal and technical parameters we must adhere to. In terms of legislation, for example, we are limited from the outset in terms of width and height of the vehicles. There are also clear specifications for the interior, such as the configuration of handrails. This limits us in our design, of course, but it also leads us to new solutions. The challenge for us is to develop something new and unique that expresses the character of the Setra brand – in spite of seemingly restrictive guidelines.

Developing something new is a good take-off point here. Setra coaches epitomise timeless aesthetic design. How do you implement this?For Setra, the strategy is “evolution rather than revolution”. A good example is the front of the coaches. It is the front section that really gives a vehicle its character. Whereas there is nothing wrong with a sports car being referred to as aggressive, a touring coach could never have what could be perceived as a threatening character. The face – in other words, the front – should appear competent and powerful to the observer with friendly traits, while exuding safety. Since the 200 series, the Setra faces have always been designed horizontally. The logo panel with the Setra lettering is positioned between the two headlamps. This is something that we have kept all along, whereby in the current 500 series, the horizontal design has been given a slight curve for a somewhat more dynamic appearance. The brand name now comes across more powerfully than in the past

– if only because of the three-dimensional letters. So this is how the front of our Setra coaches and buses has evolved since the 200 series.

The TopClass 500 and ComfortClass 500 touring coaches have recently been given several design awards. How do these awards influence your daily work?First of all, they confirm that we are on the right track. At the same time, the awards drive us to maintain and ultimately further raise the benchmark.

Fashion designers introduce a new collection to the market twice a year. A coach design, on the other hand, needs to look modern and aesthetically pleasing over a very long period of time. How do you manage this?We look at fashion trends, in clothing and furniture, for example. At the same time, we never lose sight of technological developments – also an arena of swift and comprehensive innovation. Longer-term trends in other areas, for example in architecture, are important as well. Ultimately, it’s about drawing the essence from all these trends and then honing in on the long-term design features. As you would expect, a coach’s design language is somewhat calmer and clearer, but it should certainly last for 10 to 15 years. If you include the development and production phases, then we really have to create a coach design to last around 20 years.

Does the “perfect design” exist? What makes for an ideal touring coach design?The perfect design quite simply cannot exist, since trends and tastes change continuously. Design is inevitably an ongoing development. In our area, there is an additional aspect that design has to fulfil. It should create a pleasant atmosphere where both the driver and passengers feel good. This feel-good or “coming home” factor is absolutely vital at Setra.

What role does design play for you personally, in your private life?Of course, design plays a role in my non-professional life as well. But I also like the unplanned and primary nature of things. Our garden, for instance, tends to be a little wild. I like to let nature do the designing. I find the interplay between these two worlds very charming and very inspiring.

Are you a perfectionist?You would have to ask my team. I probably would describe myself as a perfectionist. This manifests itself quite clearly in our daily business, when it comes to modelling and data generation. In this respect, we do pay attention to detail, for example, in looking at surfaces we want them to be accurate to a tenth.

What do you love most about your job?That would be the very first line – when the very first idea is captured on paper. It is ultimately the point at which every new Setra model begins. That, for me, is always a very exciting moment.

Setra Travel in Style | 1110 | Setra Travel in Style

“The Setra HD – of course!”

Four decades of high-deck touring

The ComfortClass 500 is the benchmark

for high-deck touring coaches. Exactly

40 years ago, this was also true for the

new 200 series. SetraWorld arranged a

get-together of the classic S 215 HD with

vehicle I.D. number 001 and its great-

grandson, the S 515 HD.

“T he new Setra series is an offering that is based on changing needs and demands, built with a traditional commitment to true craftsmanship, with new insight and

understanding and with new materials. It is aligned to the future in terms of styling, comfort and cost-effectiveness.” The wording may well sound somewhat old-fashioned. But the message suits the current Setra ComfortClass 500 perfectly. In fact, it was coined by Otto Kässbohrer at the presentation of the 200 series in 1976.25 years after the first Setra, the legendary 200 series was introduced to the market and, with close to 28,000 units sold, it was a success. In the foreground was the twelve-metre-long S 215 HD high-decker. It was referred to as the “two fifteen HD”. And today, connoisseurs now simply call it the “ComfortClass 500”.Compared to its lanky great-grandson, the senior looks a bit stooped. Its yellow, orange and brown colour scheme is also out of date. Nonetheless, even after 40 years, the classic model from the Setra collection, with its clean lines, still looks amazingly fresh. The ComfortClass 500 has a much more expressive look to it. Its face with its large eyes and blinking strips like eyebrows and horizontal lines bear witness to its ancestry. A Setra is quite simply unmistakable – and aerodynamically designed. Back in those days, with its curved windscreen and today, with its perfect profile, imposing windscreen and flush windows even more so – an HD coach straight out of the wind tunnel.Behind Otto Kässbohrer’s use of the term “comfort” are indications of the legendary cross-flow ventilation and gentle handling of the

200 series. In 2016, at Setra, the benchmark is fully automatic climate control with two temperature zones, hot water heating, separate heating and cooling circuits, and sensors. Whereas pas-sengers once upon a time turned on their fans using a button, today they are automatically pampered with tempered air and without drafts. Instead of striped velour, the seats are upholstered with elegant woven fabrics or leather – meticulously and elegantly stitched. The seats from yesteryear have evolved into highly functional designer recliners, with a height-adjustable comfort headrest. The view outside the window is unobstructed, and high above the centre aisle with its generous headroom hovers a light and airy covering. Extensive LED lighting enhances the passenger compartment – what was once sober is now filled with warmth and atmosphere. Even the lighting which was cleverly integrated into the HD’s air ducts, which was all the rage at the time, cannot keep up with today’s standard.One level below, the current Setra’s chassis meets an ideal compro-mise between soft and firm. The HD masters the road beautifully – skillfully levelling any bumps and irregularities along the way. Whereas the senior with its giant steering wheel still exhibits some unsteadiness, its grandson has long found its balance as it runs smoothly and firmly ahead.For Otto Kässbohrer, “cost-effectiveness” meant that a Setra was an investment. This remains true today, but it now means so much more. Even then, operators looked closely at costs and expenses, but the term TCO, for example, Total Cost of Ownership, was unknown. Service intervals of 10,000 km were considered standard, whereas

today an oil change is only needed every 120,000 km. In the older model, a powerful ten-cylinder, 16-litre engine and 235 kW (320 hp), today 10.7 litres and six cylinders are sufficient to perform at 315 kW (428 hp). With 2,100 Nm, the engine reaches exactly twice the torque of the V10. The difference is even greater in practice. Whereas the senior needed several gear changes to maintain speed, the Comfort-Class 500 quietly and smoothly glides forward. Its acceleration is dynamic, the fully automated Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmission finds the right gear and shifts more quickly yet more gently than would be possible manually. In spite of double the pulling power, the ComfortClass 500 consumes much less fuel. An S 515 HD travels as far on 480 litres of tank capacity as the 215 HD with its 670 litres. At the same time, the new engine works much more cleanly. Euro VI, emission control with exhaust gas recirculation, oxidising catalytic converter, particulate filter, AdBlue injection and SCR catalyst – these would all have been science fiction in 1976. At the time, smoking wasn’t yet frowned upon – neither on board nor for the exhaust system. Also, the whole concept of safety was based on markedly different standards. Although the 200 series’ tubular frame was extremely stable, in the 215 HD, two-point safety belts were only found in the

front row. Today, buckling up in every seat is a given, and Front Collision Guard protects the driver in the case of frontal impact. And with ABS, ESP®, the Lane Assistant all the way through to Adaptive Cruise Control with Active Brake Assist 3, several assistance systems ensure that he never has to intervene. But some traditions do return. After switching on the ignition – today via electronic key – a touch of the starter button sets the engine in motion.We leave you now with another statement from Otto Kässbohrer on the 200 series: “It very much looks forward to your kind attention and acceptance.” Forty years later, this is exactly how he would have formulated it for the ComfortClass 500. Just like its great-grandfather, it is the benchmark for all HDs, a high-decker with unrivalled class.

For Otto Kässbohrer, “cost-effectiveness” meant that a

Setra was an investment.

Just like its great-grandfather, it is the benchmark for all

HDs, a high-decker with unrivalled class.


14 | Setra Fascination & technology

Ideal for mountains and valleys

Several hundred Setra touring

coaches are already saving fuel

thanks to Predictive Powertrain

Control (PPC) – and operators

are saving real money. Two

years after its launch, operators

share their experiences with

PPC and engineers talk about

how they developed PPC for

maximum efficiency.

Setra Fascination & technology | 15

Saving fuel with Predictive Powertrain Control

T he high-decker touring coaches from Hallgrens Buss in Ulricehamn, South Sweden, have travelled

all across Europe. The company had three Setra three-axle vehicles equipped with Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC). And together, they have covered a distance of 350,000 kilometres. Managing Director Jan-Ove Hallgren says: “It wasn’t easy convincing our drivers to use PPC. At the beginning, many of them had trouble not stepping on the accelerator when the bus delayed slightly before approaching a hill.” But it was well worth the effort: Hallgren estimates the fuel savings with PPC at between two and three per cent.The original objective for the PPC feature was defined very precisely: “To save as much fuel as possible without com- promising on comfort or average speed,” explains Helge Spangenberg. He is responsible for automatic transmis- sions and PPC in the Daimler Buses testing team. Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) is a prime example of a coach’s digital networking: the predictive cruise control feature links the powertrain with a three-dimensional road map, switches down when going uphill, and takes advantage of momentum with EcoRoll in the transmission’s neutral position when going downhill. On average, Setra achieves up to four per cent fuel savings, which quickly represents 1,000 litres of fuel at a yearly mileage of 100,000 kilometres.Prior to being introduced to touring coaches, PPC had already earned its stripes in Mercedes-Benz trucks. The bus developers adapted PPC to the specific requirements of coaches and buses – benefitting maximum efficiency and the highest possible level of comfort. And yes, there are some significant differences at work here. Since coaches are regulated at 100 km/h, overshooting before slopes at highway speeds isn’t possible. The same applies downhill: unlike with trucks, the continuous braking limiter intervenes at 104 km/h – overshooting to take advantage of momentum isn’t possible here either. When using EcoRoll, a gear change kicks in before 104 km/h is reached, to avoid simultaneous continuous braking limiter deployment and gear changing. Also, for reasons of driving comfort, EcoRoll only deploys at a minimum of 15 seconds

of possible duration. With EcoRoll, the transmission is in neutral position and the engine is idling, and the inevitable speed jump when reloading the gear at the end of the EcoRoll phase could irritate passengers.In elaborate practical tests, various scenarios were played out with different coaches and loadings. Two- and three-axle, empty or loaded, high-decker coaches with different engines and power levels. For testing purposes, Helge Spangenberg drove a 26-ton double- decker with a trailer and close to 30 tons of pull weight over the Kassel mountains.PPC proves its skills especially on hilly and mountainous routes. The team also tested PPC on highways with diverse profiles, as well as on trips to Scandinavia for winter testing and to Spain for heat tests. Overall, the test vehicles covered 30,000 kilometres – with the engineers observing both gear changes and consumption. They tested different speed settings for the cruise control as well as different hystereses, i.e. preset maximum deviations of the speed upwards or downwards. They also examined the effectiveness of PPC in both driving pro- grammes of the Mercedes-Benz GO 250-8 PowerShift automatic transmission. “The basic programme is geared to maximum efficiency, the dynamic programme to maximum performance,” adds Spangenberg.Meanwhile, the operators have been experiencing the benefits of PPC first-hand. Cars Bihan from Lesneven in Brittany is now consuming 20 instead of 24 litres/100 kilometres with the ComfortClass S 516 HD compared to its predecessor. “I firmly believe that two of these four litres are saved thanks to PPC”, says Daniel Bihan. The S 431 DT double-decker owned by ITS Reisen in Bolsward in the Netherlands travels throughout Europe from Finland to Spain. After 75,000 kilometres, fuel consumption is only 24 litres/100 km. The use of Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) saves six per cent, according to the company’s CEO Anne Mulder: “At first, I was skeptical. As a driver, you believe your experience beats any system. I tested PPC under different conditions. And now, I know for a fact that with PPC, driving is more relaxed and, at the same time, fuel-efficient.”

“And now, I know for a fact that with PPC, driving is more re-

laxed and, at the same time, fuel-efficient.”

Hallgrens Buss in Sweden already relies on PPC

for three Setra, thereby saving two to three per cent

on fuel costs.

Cars Bihan in France also relies on PPC, reducing fuel consumption by about two litres per 100 km.

Let there be light

World premiere:

integrated LED headlamps for Setra touring coaches

The new integrated LED headlamps increase both safety

and cost-effectiveness. They are available as an option

for ComfortClass 500 and TopClass 500 coaches.

Setra Fascination & technology | 1716 | Setra Fascination & technology

O ptimal vehicle lighting and the best possible safety for drivers and passengers have always been intrinsic to the Setra promise.

Forty years ago, the newly introduced 200 series was equipped with halogen H4 headlamps as standard. In 2001, the newly launched TopClass 400 was the first coach in the world with xenon headlamps as standard equipment. And Setra once again led the way with the new LED main headlamps for the 500 series. They were the world’s first integrated LED headlamps for touring coaches – where form and function complement each other perfectly. The ComfortClass 500 and TopClass 500 continue to exhibit their very distinctive brand face with their LED headlamps. At the same time, drivers benefit from outstanding visibility that is easy on the eyes, while the operator profits from lower maintenance costs.Coach and bus operators know a thing or two about it: the costs of replacing conventional bulbs are not to be underestimated. On average, a bus will travel up to 15,000 hours with low beams during its lifetime. A halogen bulb, however, only has a service life of an average 400 to 800 hours. In a bus, defective halogen bulbs need replacing about 25 times on each side. Xenon bulbs last much longer

– 2,700 to 3,000 hours – but their price is also higher. The new LED bulbs, on the other hand, have a service life of about 20,000 hours. So they tend to last at least as long as the bus itself, which entirely eliminates annoying and expensive bulb replacements.But what about light intensity: does it change throughout its lifecycle? Of course, it tends to weaken over time. A xenon bulb, for example, will only reach about two-thirds of its initial luminous flux towards the end of its service cycle. In the case of LED bulbs, on the other hand, the performance level over 15,000 hours only weakens by about three to five per cent – so they maintain close to their full light output. In spite of their high performance, LED lamps are still amazingly energy-efficient. The energy consumption of LED headlamps in low-beam mode amounts to only 20 watts – which is only half that of xenon headlamps. This value will only increase to 35 watts in the case of the rarely used high beam. So, when the vehicle is stopped for a while with its low beams on and without the engine running, the LED lamps are easy on the batteries.In addition to economic benefits, LED lights offer significant safety benefits. The reach of LED and xenon headlamps is 20 per cent

greater than that of halogen headlamps. This represents a significant plus for the driver especially in poor visibility. The further illuminated roadway makes driving safer and helps, for example, to identify dangerous situations sooner.Moreover, LED light is perceived by the human eye as being signifi-cantly brighter. This is due to the higher colour temperature of LED light. The temperature of the light sources is determined by a complex process in Kelvin units. At a temperature of 3,200 Kelvin, halogen light is perceived as warm white – xenon light, however, as a neutral white at about 4,000 Kelvin. At 5,500 Kelvin, LED light is similar to natural daylight and this results in less fatigue on the eyes, a signifi-cant safety factor when driving at night. Even the glare factor with LED lights in oncoming traffic is not as pronounced as with xenon light – a further safety advantage.As of now, Setra customers have the option of ordering the Comfort-Class 500 (standard: halogen headlamps) and TopClass 500 (standard: xenon) with optional LED main headlamps. As well, OMNIplus can retrofit for both series.


Halogen, xenon, LED – what does it all mean?

LED headlamps (above)LED stands for light emitting diodes. They consist of semiconductor compounds. Current flows from the anode to the cathode, generating light. The plastic covering of the LED determines the radiation characteristic. LEDs are combined for use in headlamps and can therefore achieve light outputs in the range of xenon headlamps. In Setra coaches, five LED bulbs generate low beams per headlight, for high beams, three further LEDs are added. LEDs require less energy and achieve a multiple service life of other bulbs. The world’s first touring coaches with integrated LED headlamps are the Setra TopClass 500 and ComfortClass 500. Xenon headlamps (middle)The world’s first coach with xenon headlamps as standard equipment was the Setra TopClass 400 – on the occasion of its premiere in 2001. The highly compressed xenon inert gas in a small combustion chamber made of quartz glass is responsible for their very high luminous flux. Unlike the halogen bulb, xenon headlamps do not work with filaments, but rather with an electric arc between two electrodes. A ballast unit is required for ignition. It produces a high voltage of about 25,000 volts.

Halogen headlamps (below)They are standard equipment in the Setra ComfortClass 500 and MultiClass 400 ranges, as well as in most cars and trucks. Halogen headlamps are the most common standard in lighting technology. Setra uses halogen H7 headlamps, i.e. single-filament bulbs in separate housings for high and low beams. The alternative is the halogen H4 bulb with two filaments for high and low beams in a single housing. Halogens are gaseous substances in the lamp bulb. Halogen headlamps came onto the market in the mid-sixties, and the H4 headlamps in the early seventies. Setra has been using them since 1976, having introduced them in the newly launched 200 series.

In addition to economic benefits, LED lights offer significant

safety benefits.

From headlights to passenger compartment lights to footwell

lighting: Setra relies on reliable, power-saving LED lighting.


T hanks to a major order for 140 MultiClass S 415 LE business vehicles, Setra is now leading the market in the Czech Republic

in the low-floor overland bus segment. The ICOM transport company with its headquarters in Jihlava received delivery of the buses successively between October and December last year. The overland buses are being deployed in public intercity line services in nine regions of the Czech Republic.ICOM transport has been a Daimler customer for 20 years. But with the S 415 LE business, it is the first time the company has purchased vehicles from the Setra brand. An important factor behind their decision was that the low-entry MultiClass models are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. This is a feature that is increasingly

I n May 2015, the ComfortClass 500

enjoyed a grand appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Vienna. With more than 40 S 515 HD coaches, the Viennese Blaguss travel company was responsible for transporting artists

and ESC delegations within the city. All the coaches, with their Voyage Plus touring seats, power outlets at every seat, WLAN, Nespresso coffee machines and tinted windows, are ideally suited for VIP transport. The coaches are usually

S ince its launch in 2001, the TopClass has stood for the highest level of luxury in coach tours. And now, Setra has delivered the 5,000th coach from the

highly successful premium 500 series. The anniversary coach, an S 516 HDH, was purchased by Carolus Reizen in Mol near Antwerp in Belgium. The touring company’s Managing Directors, Marc and Jan Hoek, didn’t lose out on the

deployed by Blaguss for high-end travel and leisure applications.For the first time in the history of the high-profile event, the 60th Eurovision Song Contest presented itself as a Green Event, where great emphasis was placed on resource conservation and on regionality. Thanks to the cost-effective and technologically advanced Euro VI engines, Blaguss was able to make a valuable contribution to the event’s positive eco-balance with its Setra fleet.“We gave the Setra coaches an extraordinary 12 points,” says Paul Blaguss. “We now have 160 vehicles from the ComfortClass 500 series in our fleet and another 80 have been ordered.” Another notable highlight: in early September, Blaguss took over the 1,000th coach from the Setra brand, an S 515 HD with several exclusive interior amenities for up to 25 passengers.

opportunity to pick up the special coach as well as two other TopClass vehicles in person at the Setra Customer- Center in Neu-Ulm at the end of January. They were accompanied by a group of their travel guests at the handover ceremony.With its exceptionally luxurious amenities, the anni-versary coach lives up to all the expectations of the premium series. The S 516 HDH features a panoramic glass roof, a high-quality onboard kitchen and 40 exclusive leather seats with leg rests and ample space between seats. The Lane Assistant, Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Brake Assist 3 features ensure outstanding safety, while Predictive Powertrain Control supports the driver in maintaining a cost-efficient driving style.“With the anniversary coach, we are strengthening our ‘Premium Tours’ brand for highly exclusive coach tours throughout Europe,” says Managing Director Marc Hoek. Last year, Carolus invested in no less than eight new TopClass 500 coaches to modernise its Setra fleet.

The LE business wins over the Czech Republic

Twelve Points go to SetraSetra delivers its 5,000th TopClass coachAustria – the ComfortClass 500 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna

Setra Get-togethers | 21

Ulrich Bastert (left), Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services Daimler Buses, hands over the new low-entry buses to Zdenek Kratochvil from ICOM transport.

Martin Biewald, Managing Director of EvoBus Belgium, with the Managing Directors of Carolus Reizen, Marc (left) and Jan Hoeks (right).

Kowatsch and company outings. The coach provides the same level of comfort as the HD models. The MD’s reduced height of only 3.56 metres and lower air resistance make it especially fuel- efficient.The anniversary coach is also introducing the new corporate design of Dr Richard group. “With the new coach, we are making a very clear statement,” explains CEO Dr Ludwig Richard during the handover at the EvoBus Austria ServiceCenter in Wiener Neudorf. The coach is a real eye-catcher, thanks to the use of special reflective films, and is also hard to miss in the dark. On the inside, it is comfortably equipped with 53 seats, a video system and a panoramic camera.

T he Austrian Dr Richard group of companies is the proud owner of the 2,500th ComfortClass 500 coach. The S 516 MD anni-

versary model will be deployed by the Kowatsch transport company in Villach, a Dr Richard subsidiary. The vehicle is the first Comfort-Class 500 middle-decker coach in the group’s fleet and is ideally suited for trips with little luggage, such as the day trips offered by

A ComfortClass 500 anniversary

Dr Ludwig Richard at the handover of

the milestone vehicle in EvoBus Austria’s OMNIplus BusPort.

stipulated in tenders from Czech districts as public providers of bus line services. Air conditioning and double-glazed side windows contribute to additional passenger comfort.“The S 415 LE business meets all the requirements for barrier-free, safe public transport. The Low Entry, with its Euro VI engines, is environmentally friendly and cost-effective,” says Director General of ICOM transport Zdenek Kratochvíl. The operation is part of one of the largest transport companies in Central Europe.

ˇ

Den Blå Planet, National Aquarium Denmark,is Northern Europe’s largest and most modern aquarium.Photo: Christiane HelstedA premium coach tour to Copenhagen and Malmö

Architectural jewels along the Öresund

Copenhagen and Malmö are booming and appear to be magically attracting contemporary star

architects. We visited both cities on the shores of the Öresund with the S 516 HDH, which beautifully

combines award-winning design and high-tech just like the two prestigious architectural projects.



W hether travelers approach Copenhagen by land, by sea or from the air, the “Blue Planet” with its silvery outer shell is hard to miss. The spectacular aquarium that

opened in 2013 is, to say the least, captivating with its prominent location at the top of the panoramic hill in the Kastrup marina directly on the Öresund. And with its fantasy-inspiring architecture: is it a stylized Moby Dick on dry land? Or a huge sea shell with mother-of-pearl skin? The answer lies in its floor plan. It is designed as a huge whirlpool, as a maelstrom that pulls the visitors into the fascinating underwater world located behind the building’s gigantic panoramic windows. Water on the inside, water on the outside and as the main architectural theme – it is hard to imagine the fascinating blend of function, location and aesthetics being brought to life more appeal- ingly than the design from the 3XN architecture studio.Welcome to the trendsetting city of Copenhagen, where a new golden age of Danish architecture has dawned. Since Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, the Danish style has been an export success world-wide. Its characteristics: it is functional, but not sober, refined, but not overloaded. And it continues to make use of new ideas and concepts that enrich people’s lives.

On the road to visit award-winning architecture in a prizewinning S 516 HDH Along Copenhagen’s waterfront, the prestigious structures from recent years are lined up next to each other as they would be at a world exhibition. There are large buildings, such as the new Royal Danish Library with its shiny black facet-cut stone façade, rightly bearing the name “Black Diamond”. And smaller ones as well, such

as the curved “Kalvebod Bølge” promenade that invites locals to sunbathe as early as in the first weeks of April. We are experiencing architecture in Copenhagen – not in an abstract sense, but with all the senses.An architectural tour as sophisticated as this one calls for a coach model that was developed with a similar philosophy. From a perspective that views design as a perfect stage for high-tech and luxury – offering the best framework for a rich and intense experience: a five-star coach such as the S 516 HDH from the TopClass 500 series – recipient of the Red Dot Award for Product Design. The jurors assessed the Setra series as “a manifestation of comfort and elegance” and they agreed that all the coach’s features were targeted to achieving a single objective: to offer the ultimate in coach travel.The exterior appearance of the three-axle vehicle is really quite imposing with its cutting-edge design language and meticulous attention to detail. Inside, passengers are immediately taken in by the amazing feeling of space: the interior standing height is 2.10 metres. Low-riding windows and the high ceiling greatly contribute to the unique all-round view. And, with the optionally available TopSky Panorama roof deliver- ing a generous 13-square-metres of unobstructed view onto the clear blue Baltic Sea sky, the architectural stars appear close enough to touch. �

An architectural tour as sophisticated as this one calls for a coach model that was developed with a similar

philosophy.

Eight kilometres across the strait: the Øresund Bridge connects Copenhagen and Malmö.

The “8 House” by star architect Bjarke Ingels won first prize at the World Architecture Festival in 2011.

The “Black Diamond” – the Danes’ name for the new Royal Library on the Baltic shore.


1,000 years of architectural history with no end in sightIn hardly any other metropolis is the urban development as tangible in terms of new architecture as in Copenhagen. Dynamic, extroverted and, at the same time, sustainable – not only in the type of construc-tion, but also in terms of design, art, culture, lifestyle, food and mobility. The renowned Wallpaper design magazine recently honoured the Danish capital with the “Best City in the World 2016” award. In short, this is a city that is most definitely worth visiting at any time – and one that has endless fascination for fans of architecture and design.In Örestad, in the city’s southern outskirts, we meet Thit Juul Madsen, architecture expert and chief editor of Danish TM online magazine. “The Danish architects are so successful because they foster a tradition of focusing on people and on improving their quality of life“, says Madsen pointing to a building that appears somehow familiar. Of course, it is the famous “8Haus” from Bjarke Ingels, the young architect superstar, who won first prize in the “Housing” category at the World Architecture Festival in 2011. The octagon-shaped building houses apartments, offices and shops on 71,000 square metres. A green stripe – a bicycle path – runs along the ramp-shaped ascending roof. Ingels’ idea to attractively stratify all levels of a village above one other is quite simply awesome and offers, with its ingenious shape, several fantastic photo opportunities.We then cross the Langebro Bridge back to the city centre. The sun sets over the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park immersing the old town hall in a copper-coloured glow. In the S 516 HDH, an intelli- gent lighting concept sets the scene for the coach’s exclusive interior: the laminated air duct covers with fine leather grain and decorative stitching, the elegant service sets and the Setra Ambassador touring seats with their extra-wide, luxuriously padded and ergonomically designed seat shells. It could only be even more comfortable in our hotel: the Radisson BLU Royal downtown, which was completely designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1960. To this day, room 606 has been kept in its original state – and serves as the hotel’s Design Museum.

Across the Öresund Bridge to MalmöCopenhagen’s creative energy also inspires the surrounding area of the Danish Öresund shores and the southern Swedish city of Malmö which, thanks to the Öresund Bridge, is only a stone’s throw away. The S 516 HDH glides up the ramp to the eight-kilometre-long bridge, driven by the 12.8 litre, 375 kW (510 hp) six-cylinder in-line engine. For 15 years, the famous structure has connected the two cities. It also offers the experienced traveller one of Europe’s most sensational passages in Europe time and time again. Below, the sailboats lean

into the taut spring breeze. Above us, the clouds move across the morning sky at record speeds. And the mighty 204-metre-high bridge pylons point the way.A perfect time to briefly highlight the coach’s masterfully designed aerodynamics: the S 516 HDH achieves extraordinarily low air resistance thanks to optimised transitions from the front to the side wall and its “Aero edge” at the transition from the roof to the rear section. The journey to Malmö is no longer than 20 minutes, but even had the passage been longer, the trip would have been worthwhile. Copenhagen’s Swedish counterpart on the eastern Öresund shore has established itself as a destination for exceptional architecture. Especially impressive is the 190-metre-high “Turning Torso” from architect Santiago Calatrava in the Västra Hamnen district – once voted the world’s best residential building. Also worth seeing: the Moderna Museet, a modern renovated former power plant with gas tank from 1901.

A stop at the Arne Jacobsen filling stationFor the finale of our exclusive trip, we head back to the Danish side: to the fantastically situated Louisiana Museum of Modern Art on the Baltic Sea shore. The modern bungalows from architects Bo & Wohlert are nestled in a hilly park right on the beach – in perfect contrast to the landscape. From the café’s panoramic windows, we squint into the gentle Scandinavian afternoon light whose magic is simply captivating. On the way back, even our stop at the filling station becomes an unforgettable architectural experience. At the mush-room-shaped Arne Jacobsen filling station from 1938 in Skovshoved, 33 kilometres north of Copenhagen, we once again experience world-class design in its purest form.“Danish architects are less interested in creating ornamental or monumental architecture. Instead, their focus is on promoting the welfare of the community as a result of their architecture,“ explains our expert Thit Juul Madsen. “And since neighbouring areas have always been subject to much scrutiny and understanding modern buildings fit in perfectly with the historical and maritime cityscape.“ Owing to its clear-cut lines, high-quality materials and accommodation of the forces of nature this Nordic style appears particularly timeless. This also reflects the key features of our Setra coaches and the high standards premium travellers have come to expect from the outstanding comfort and distinctive appeal of a TopClass coach. The S 516 HDH exquisitely combines timeless and attractive design, excellent amenities and robust durability. And this is a formula that promises to win design awards again and again.

Form follows function: Arne Jacobsen’s 1938 petrol station near Copenhagen.

Above: “The Crystal” bank in Copenhagen.Below: “Turning Torso” apartment building in Malmö.

Timeless design, excellent furnishings and robust durability. The Setra TopClass is the ultimate in premium travel.

W ith its impressive length of 13.115 m, width of 2.55 m and height of 3.77 m, it could never be squeezed into your office

and, weighing in at 24 t, it would also result in some serious structural issues. Nonetheless, if you really like the idea of having a three-axle 516 HD coach in close proximity, we have some good news for you. This member of the ComfortClass 500 family is now available in a somewhat more manageable format – as a 1:87 scale model. Article No.: 1577 for € 18.50 plus shipping costs.

28 | Setra Service & support

What’s new at the

Setra Shop

The AWM company has made it possible. Following several inquiries from interested parties, including national football clubs, it independ- ently produced the ComfortClass model coach with three axles – and it is now available to you. Its exterior design is in line with that of the three previously available models: the S 511 HD, the S 515 HD and the S 516 HDH. These highly coveted miniature coaches, along with many other Setra products, can be ordered online at https://shop.setra.de

Already available in the Setra Shop: The models S 511 HD, S 515 HD and S 516 HDH.

Willkommen in der Setra FamilieBelgien: Coach Partners, Kortrijk • J & J Cars BVBA, Meerhout • Leroy Voyages SA, Tournai • Patsy Tournoy Travel BVBA, Meise • Rantour NV, Essene/Affligem • Travel Service Eupen sprl, Eupen • Bulgarien: Air Kona EOOD, Sofia • Krichim Express GmbH, Krichim • Dänemark: Roskilde Turistfart og Rejsebureau, Karlslunde • Deutschland: Bendel-Reisen GmbH, Unlingen • Dino Tours, Rietberg • Ehlers-Reisen, Neuenburg • Geis-Reisen, Bad Neustadt • Hofacker-Touristik, Reichshof • Höffmann Schulreisen GmbH, Vechta • Lücking Busreisen, Hüllhorst • Main-Spessart-Reisen Hock, Steinfeld-Hausen • Merth Reisen, Birstein • Oeseder-Reisedienst, Georgsmarienhütte • Reise Fischer GmbH, Saarbrücken • Rupieper, Bochum • Schumacher Reisen, Düren • Sperlich Busreisen, Schönbach • van der Ahe - Reisen GmbH & Co. KG, Groß Berßen • W. Giese Nachf. Omnibusbetrieb GmbH, Beverstedt • Finnland: Lehtimäen Liikenne Oy, Nastola • Salon Tilausmatkat Oy, Salo • TTS Työtehoseura, Helsinki • Frankreich: ECF Llerena, Eckbolsheim • Les Cars du Chavanon, Bourg-Lastic • L’Oiseau Bleu, Abbeville • Voyages Robin, Issoire • Island: Guðmundur Jónasson Travel, Reykjavík • Italien: Autoservizi Salemi Srl, Marsala • Baranzelli Natur Srl, Romagnano Sesia • Beta Viaggi, Bollate • Viaggi GT Fogliani Srl, San Giuliano Milanese • Niederlande: Nancy Tours, Maastricht • Norwegen: LB TUR Lars B. Brekka, Stathelle • Polen: Daniel, Strzelin • Voyager Transport, Gorlice • Wito-Tur, Wrzesnia • Rumänien: OV-VA Tours Company S.R.L., Bucharest • Tarsincom S.R.L., Vicovu de Sus • Transmarian S.R.L., Braila • Schweden: Alviks Trafik AB, Luleå • Henrik Björksäter Travel AB, Malmö • Roger Börjessons Buss, Färlöv • Slussfors Taxi HB, Slussfors • Smålandsbussen AB, Jönköping • Wikman Buss AB, Brunskog • Schweiz: hellotravel GmbH, Root • INTERTOURS ME Sàrl, Kerzers • Transports Publics du Chablais SA, Aigle • Spanien: Auto Granadina S.L., Granada • Autobuses Hermanos Arriaga S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz • Autobuses Palomera, S.A. , Torrelavega • Autobuses Parra S.L., San Adrián • Autocares Fortuna S.L., Fortuna • Autocares Jose Troyano S. L., Gavá • Autocares Lara S.L., Ronda • Rafa Busak S.L., Bilabo • Victorino Alvarez S.L., Torrijos

WelcomeBienvenue

BenvenutiWelcome to the Setra Family R escuers have an extremely responsible job. In an emergency situation, they need to secure the

accident vehicle, rescue everyone involved and prevent consequential damage that could arise due to a subse-quent fire or escaping liquids. “This is why firefighters regularly practise rescuing people from cars,” explains Goerdt Gatermann who is responsible for the Rescue Guidelines at OMNIplus. “However, a coach or a bus cannot be compared to a car.” The sheer dimensions of a bus and the number of occupants clearly call for other means and measures to save lives. Additionally, there are reservoirs containing several hundred litres of fuel, heavy vehicle components which can be dangerous to rescuers, and a frame structure that has very little in common with the body of a car.“As a coach and bus manufacturer, safety has always been one of our core objectives,” says Michael Klein, Head of OMNIplus at Daimler Buses. “For this very reason, we have been developing Rescue Guidelines for years.”

These include manuals and data sheets that help emergency personnel quickly identify the coach’s key characteristics and specifications in case of an emergency, while providing instructions on the proper and safe use of rescue measures. It begins with information on the location of flammable components, and covers tips on switching off the engine from the outside, all the way through to safely erecting or securing the vehicle with a crane.The latest edition of the Rescue Guidelines for Setra coaches has just been published. The guide explains all the specifics to be observed at the coach during a rescue operation, as well as the design and structural characteristics of the different types of coaches and models. From a service bus to a high-decker touring coach, rescuers will find the most important specifications at a glance, as well as the location of the battery, the battery disconnec-tion switch and the tank. Furthermore, Daimler Buses has developed detailed rescue data sheets for all Setra coaches and buses manufactured over the last 15 years. These are made available to all relevant rescue organiza-tions. They provide comprehensive information on the structural features of the particular bus type, suitable escape routes and information on possible sources of danger. “Of course, we hope that the Rescue Guidelines will never be needed,” says Goerdt Gatermann. “But if ever they are, they provide invaluable support.”

Help for the helpersThe bus is one of the safest means of transportation. But

should something happen, every minute counts. The new

Rescue Guidelines for Setra coaches and buses support

rescuers during training and during deployment at the

vehicle involved in an accident.

Setra Service & support | 29

OMNIplus Rescue Guidelines for Setra coaches

“As a coach and bus manu-

facturer, safety has

always been one of our core objec-

tives ...”

Belgium: Coach Partners, Kortrijk • J & J Cars BVBA, Meerhout • Leroy Voyages SA, Tournai • Patsy Tournoy Travel BVBA, Meise • Rantour NV, Essene/Affligem • Travel Service Eupen sprl, Eupen • Bulgaria: Air Kona EOOD, Sofia • Krichim Express GmbH, Krichim • Denmark: Roskilde Turistfart og Rejsebureau, Karlslunde • Germany: Bendel-Reisen GmbH, Unlingen • Dino Tours, Rietberg • Ehlers-Reisen, Neuenburg • Geis-Reisen, Bad Neustadt • Hofacker-Touristik, Reichshof • Höffmann Schulreisen GmbH, Vechta • Lücking Busreisen, Hüllhorst • Main-Spessart-Reisen Hock, Steinfeld-Hausen • Merth Reisen, Birstein • Oeseder-Reisedienst, Georgsmarienhütte • Reise Fischer GmbH, Saarbrücken • Rupieper, Bochum • Schumacher Reisen, Düren • Sperlich Busreisen, Schönbach • van der Ahe - Reisen GmbH & Co. KG, Groß Berßen • W. Giese Nachf. Omnibusbetrieb GmbH, Beverstedt • Finland: Lehtimäen Liikenne Oy, Nastola • Salon Tilausmatkat Oy, Salo • TTS Työtehoseura, Helsinki • France: ECF Llerena, Eckbolsheim • Les Cars du Chavanon, Bourg-Lastic • L’Oiseau Bleu, Abbeville • Voyages Robin, Issoire • Iceland: Guðmundur Jónasson Travel, Reykjavík • Italy: Autoservizi Salemi Srl, Marsala • Baranzelli Natur Srl, Romagnano Sesia • Beta Viaggi, Bollate • Viaggi GT Fogliani Srl, San Giuliano Milanese • Netherlands: Nancy Tours, Maastricht • Norway: LB TUR Lars B. Brekka, Stathelle • Poland: Daniel, Strzelin • Voyager Transport, Gorlice • Wito-Tur, Wrzesnia • Romania: OV-VA Tours Company S.R.L., Bucharest • Tarsincom S.R.L., Vicovu de Sus • Transmarian S.R.L., Braila • Spain: Auto Granadina S.L., Granada • Autobuses Hermanos Arriaga S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz • Autobuses Palomera, S.A., Torrelavega • Autobuses Parra S.L., San Adrián • Autocares Fortuna S.L., Fortuna • Autocares Jose Troyano S.L., Gavá • Autocares Lara S.L., Ronda • Rafa Busak S.L., Bilbao • Victorino Alvarez S.L., Torrijos • Sweden: Alviks Trafik AB, Luleå • Henrik Björksäter Travel AB, Malmö • Roger Börjessons Buss, Färlöv • Slussfors Taxi HB, Slussfors • Smålandsbussen AB, Jönköping • Wikman Buss AB, Brunskog • Switzerland: hellotravel GmbH, Root • INTERTOURS ME Sàrl, Kerzers • Transports Publics du Chablais SA, Aigle

S tarting, adjusting speed, decelerating, stopping. Starting, adjusting speed... Few things in life are more annoying than

stop & go traffic. Whether in a traffic jam on the highway or crossing the city during rush hour – the eternal stopping and starting torments both vehicle components and the driver’s nerves. Driving a Setra through a traffic jam with the optional Stop & Go function is so much more relaxing.The Stop & Go function is a supplementary feature of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ART). A further requisite is that the vehicle is equipped with Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA 3). Using radar sensors, the ART scans the road ahead and adjusts the speed of the coach to that of the vehicle ahead – maintaining a predetermined safety distance. If the ART is active in a speed range between 15 km/h and 100 km/h, the Stop & Go function extends this control range through to standstill. In practice this means that if the Setra is heading towards stationary traffic, the coach will stop automatically with an adequate distance. If the vehicle ahead begins to move again within two seconds, the Setra will begin to move on its own without driver intervention, following the vehicle ahead at the preselected safety

distance and appropriate speed. The same procedure takes place at the next stop.The maximum timing of two seconds was selected for safety reasons. This prevents the vehicle from setting in motion uncontrollably even after longer stops, for example, if the driver’s attention is not directed to the traffic. If the stop lasts longer, a light touch of the accelerator or pressing the steering wheel’s cruise control button is all it takes to reactivate the Stop & Go function.The operation of the assistance system takes place via the steering wheel keypad on the right side. Since the Stop & Go function is

integrated in the Adaptive Cruise Control system as an additional function, it does not require separate activation.The Stop & Go function is available as an option for the Setra ComfortClass 500, the TopClass 500 and the S 431 DT double-decker coach with ART and ABA 3 features. About every other customer now opts for this very useful assistance system which noticeably supports the driver in traffic. It represents a first step towards autonomous coach driving.

Stop & Go function

Setra Fascination & technology | 31

Navigating traffic – safe and relaxed

O ne of the largest bus operators in Slovakia, SAD Prievidza, is expanding its Setra fleet through

2017 with 30 new ComfortClass 500 coaches. At the end of last year, the company concluded a framework agreement with the Mercedes-Benz Slovakia sales partner. With its 27 ComfortClass S 515 HD vehicles, SAD Prievidza already operates the largest Setra fleet in Slovakia.“With this agreement for the new vehicles, SAD Prievidza will become Setra’s largest customer in Eastern Europe,” says Boris Vajagic, Market Manager Europe at the EvoBus company. The operator took on its first vehicles from the Setra brand in 2013 as a new customer.

Delivery of the first 15 coaches from the current agree-ment – 14 S 515 HDs and one S 516 HD/2 – began in February. They are all equipped for international long- distance touring, with Setra Voyage Plus or Setra Voyage seats to ensure high-level comfort. For guest entertain-ment, all the vehicles are equipped with a video system with two large 19-inch monitors.The coaches will be deployed in touring and charter applications throughout Europe. SAD Prievidza collabo-rates as a service provider with leading tour operators and agencies in several European countries. “The outstanding quality of the Setra brand and the high-quality amenities for passengers go a long way towards attracting discerning companies,” confirms Michal Danko, Managing Director at SAD Prievidza. To meet high-level market demand, he keeps his company’s fleet as up to date as possible and ready to fulfil the latest technological standards. With this in mind, the vehicles will be replaced every two to three years. He is in an ideal position to benefit from the high resale value of Setra vehicles. The FleetBoard fleet management system is of great importance to the company as well. And all Setra coaches are equipped with the advanced system. Via GPS, the company always has an overview of where the coaches are currently being deployed. This also enables them to coordinate driving assignments at short notice. Stefan Straka, Touring Fleet Manager at SAD Prievidza, confirms: “The system supports us in operating our vehicles as cost-effectively as possible.”


The largest Setra fleet in Eastern Europe

“He is in an ideal

position to benefit from the high resale value of Setra

vehicles.”

SAD Prievidza operates the largest Setra fleet in Eastern Europe.

Setra Fascination & technology | 3332 | Setra Fascination & technology

Singing in the rain The longest Setra Low Entry is custom-tailored for high-traffic intercity lines.

How does the 14.64-metre-long MultiClass bus perform in practice?


I t doesn’t matter that it’s pouring rain today and that the windscreen wipers are being put through an endurance test. Overland buses have to run – regardless of rain, snow or storm

conditions. Schoolchildren need to get to class, adults to work, and seniors to the shops. The longest Setra LE business is unique: cost-effective to purchase and maintain, and very comfortable with 61 seats in full-seating mode. And, with its low floor through to the rear axle, no one is left standing at the bus stop.The pre-departure walkaround check is awe-inspiring: the bus is 14.64 metres long. That’s almost a short walk. Thanks to its low construction as a Low Entry, boarding is easy. You open the door to the cockpit, take two steps up to the driver’s platform – which is a good half metre above the floor. Eye to eye with the passengers, inspiring the respect that tends to be required now and again. The longitudinal adjustment is ample, the cockpit looks and feels perfect – after all, it is a Setra MultiClass. Whether door or gear switches, light switch or parking brake, everything is within comfortable reach. The instrumentation is clearly and simply laid out, as if designed for a control room. USB socket, data interfaces, it’s all there. Even a large lockable cabinet in the front section. And then, there are the two large storage compartments to the left and right of the driving axle: perfect to store snow chains, tools, service station gloves – whatever is needed.

Turn the key and start the bus. Somewhere from the rear, a discreet engine purr can be heard. Put the foot on the brake, press the automatic transmission’s “D”, disengage the parking brake, and take a first cautious step on the gas to manoeuver out of the hall. There isn’t much to hear, but you can definitely feel it: the 10.7 litre six-cylinder in-line engine makes an impressive start, especially in the more powerful version with 290 kW (394 hp) and 1,900 Nm of torque. Onward into the traffic. The engine accelerates well, drawing from the lowest engine speeds, and stays nice and calm throughout. At the first red light, the retarder delays firmly, the foot brake responds perfectly, smoothly braking at the stop. Switch to green: given the vehicle’s temperament, full throttle to start would be exaggerated. The ZF Ecolife converter-automatic transmission performs smoothly and impresses with its fast gear changes. With the help of a short axis, the transmission keeps the engine running as it should. Alterna-tively, a six-speed manual transmission is available, as well as an automated Mercedes-Benz PowerShift transmission and a Voith torque converter automatic transmission. A glance at the tachometre: on the highway, the engine revs at around 1,300 rpm at a speed of 80 km/h, working efficiently in the green rpm range. And on slopes, it shows considerable stamina.Whether on a bumpy country road, driving over manhole covers across town, or along the tracks at a stopping bay, this chassis delivers outstanding comfort. Above the rear axles, as expected, the Low Entry is equipped with touring coach technology, including a trailing axle with independent wheel suspension. The low-floor front axle also performs steadily and with perfect directional stability. The large 295 tires ensure optimal grip on wet road surfaces.The steering wheel feels good and, considering the wheelbase of over seven metres and three axles, excellent straight-running stability comes as no surprise. The bus easily masters roundabouts, led by the firm steering. The Setra is for the most part surprisingly agile in line applications: a 23.5-metre turning circle is remarkable considering the vehicle’s length. The trailing axle helps when turning.The doors open at the bus stop: in this LE business, passengers benefit from the extra-wide front door and the double doors in the middle. Everyone is welcome: a folding ramp is available at door two, and on the inside, a wheelchair space is located right in front of the door. And right across from it, a demountable platform ensures great adaptability. The functional Transit seating with its high seat backs and gold-brown seat covers, as well as the floor in wood surface design, all contribute to a pleasantly warm environment – where passengers are happy to spend time. The front section of the bus is uncluttered thanks to the platform, and the low waist rail keeps the view to the outside nice and open. Two steps lead to the rear section, where the seating rises as in a theater. The view is stunning, certainly from the front, but also from the windows in the passenger compart-ment. Only the countless rain drops on the windows dim the view onto the cloud-shrouded landscape.After just a few kilometres behind the wheel, it is obvious that whatever the weather, for the long Setra S 418 LE business getting out and about is not just a matter of duty, it actually looks forward to hitting the road. But at some point, the tour is over. Shame. The country outing with the long LE business could have easily lasted a while longer.

Whether on a bumpy country road, driving over manhole covers across town, or along the tracks at a stopping bay, this chassis

delivers outstanding comfort.

Fun to board: the long Setra S 418 LE business puts passengers in a good mood, even in bad weather.

UMA, Atlanta (USA)1/31-2/4/2016At the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the Setra brand presented itself at the booth of its North American sales and service partner “Motor Coach Industries International Inc.”. The US version of the S 417 TC on exhibit was equipped with a glass roof and an exclusive premium club corner. Additionally, for the very first time, the US model is equipped with Voyage Ambassador seats with their new, adjustable luxury headrests. Their “wings” can be folded forward by up to 90 degrees and are infinitely adjustable by up to 85 millimetres. In addition to a back-friendly driver’s seat and LED interior lighting, a rear-view camera with an integrated cleaning system is also on board. Of course, the 13.70-metre-long three-axle vehicle with a central entrance meets strict US requirements in active safety. With the environmentally friendly and efficient Mercedes-Benz OM 471 LA 336 kW (456 hp) engine, the S 417 TC fulfils the American EPA 10 emissions standard for nitrogen oxide and soot particles.At the booth, the current Setra seat models invited visitors to exten- sively sample the seats. Snacks and refreshments were available at the coffee bar. A special surprise awaited the guests later in the day: in the “German Biergarten”, visitors had an opportunity to discover Setra’s country of origin from a culinary perspective as well.

RDA Workshop, Cologne (Germany)7/5-7/2016Every year, the RDA Workshop opens its doors to trade visitors. This year again, service providers from all sectors of tourism will be presenting their latest ideas and products. Daimler Buses will once again be present at the show with its Setra, Mercedes-Benz, BusStore and OMNIplus brands. Setra will present an S 516 HDH from its current product range.

IAA Commercial Vehicles, Hanover (Germany)9/20-29/2016The motto for the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition is clearly defined: “It’s ideas that drive us”. And of course, Setra will be there. With five of its coaches, the brand from Neu-Ulm will be represented in Hall 14/15 under the Daimler Buses corporate umbrella. The TopClass will be presenting the popular S 516 HDH with 55 seats as well as its highly successful S 431 DT model with its two levels – passenger-friendly, exceptionally efficient and highly adaptable to

various applications. The ComfortClass 500 will be showing its versatile coach concept with the classic S 515 HD high-decker and the variable S 516 MD middle-decker which is ideal on all routes with less luggage. The S 418 LE business model from the MultiClass will be making its fair debut at the IAA.As every year, visitors will be well taken care of in the Setra catering area. The OMNIplus service brand will be offering a selection of coffee specialties. The BusStore coach and bus specialists will be presenting their diverse range of major European pre-owned bus and coach brands at an information desk. And once again in Hanover this year: the financial experts from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and the telematics specialists from FleetBoard.

TRANSEXPO, Kielce (Poland)10/10-13/2016With 130 exhibitors from nine countries, TRANSEXPO is the leading trade fair for the industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Every two years, close to 5,000 visitors attend the event to find out what’s new in public transport. The Setra, Mercedes-Benz, BusStore and OMNIplus brands will be present at a joint stand. Setra will be there with its longest ComfortClass model, the S 519 HD. The seating- optimized three-axle is ideal for travel concepts with high passenger volumes, such as long-distance lines.

Kloten in-house exhibition (Switzerland)11/3-4/2016The Kloten in-house exhibition is the most important meeting point for coach and bus enthusiasts in Switzerland. For the occasion, the three EvoBus workshop halls in Switzerland are transformed into exhibition halls where Daimler’s various brands will be presented: Setra, Mercedes-Benz as well as the OMNIplus, BusStore and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services brands. Visitors will also have an opportunity to test-drive individual vehicles.

SetraShow, Neu-Ulm (Germany)11/12-13/2016All those who have not been able to visit the IAA will enjoy another opportunity to experience at least some of the highlights during the second weekend of November. The SetraShow will be showcasing the vehicle highlights from this year’s IAA. Visitors from Germany and abroad will get to experience the models live and test-drive them in the context of the extended event. Special catering, company tours, a visit to the Classic Coach Collection and even special activities for children round off the event. The SetraShow is an absolute must for all Setra fans!

Past exhibitions

The first choice for pre-owned buses and coaches

Setra Get-togethers | 37

BusStore Show, Neu-Ulm (Germany)2/19-20/2016The colourful line-up of 170 coaches and buses in the BusStore outdoor area at the EvoBus plant in Neu-Ulm looked like a huge bus terminal. The only difference was that these vehicles were very well maintained and freshly washed. Visitors to the event congregated at a welcoming tent equipped with a buffet, coffee bar and information booths. It was an ideal spot to spend some time, enjoy refreshments, and engage in important discussions and make some purchase decisions.The BusStore Show in February was once again one of the most important get-togethers of the year for operators looking to expand their fleets with quality pre-owned vehicles. Brought to life as an initiative from BusStore, the pre-owned brand for Mercedes-Benz and Setra, the event showcases all major vehicle makes and models, from minibuses to urban buses, to intercity coaches all the way through to double-deckers. It’s a winning formula that always meets with an amazing response. More than 1,000 visitors from 25 countries take advantage of the show to participate in discussions with their peers, gain information and access good deals – with over a third of the vehicles exhibited changing hands.“Above all, our customers appreciate the certified quality of our pre- owned coaches and buses,” says Dr Bernhard Neef who heads up the European EvoBus pre-owned vehicle business. All vehicles are checked by the BusStore coach and bus experts and the best among them receive Gold, Silver and Bronze classification. The vehicles from the Gold category also receive a BusStore warranty on the powertrain.

Setra shows & exhibitions


Upcoming exhibitionsThe BusStore Show in Neu-Ulm is one of the most important pre-owned bus exhibitions in Europe.

Vehicle preparation is carried out just as expertly as at the OMNIplus Service Points.BusStore and its partners are further developing the platform of trust and confidence their customers give them. OMNIplus also took advantage of the exhibition to inform visitors on service agreements for pre-owned vehicles, new BestAge Repair offers and high-quality original spare parts. The experts from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services were present at the show in Neu-Ulm as well.The BusStore brand, founded in 2014, offers pre-owned vehicles to coach and bus operators at many European locations. The complete range of available vehicles is easily accessible via the bus-store.com website. “The success of the exhibition is further evidence that BusStore has firmly established itself in the industry after only a few years,” says Neef. With this in mind, the next BusStore Show – scheduled for early 2017 – is already being planned.

The Setra presentation at the stand of North American distributor MCI.

The SetraShow will be held once again this year in Neu-Ulm.

Setra Horizons | 3938 | Setra Horizons

C urved shapes create a certain lightness. Clear, uncluttered lines leave room for individual accents. Natural materials create a

warm, welcoming atmosphere. Upon entering the Setra lounge in the redesigned CustomerCenter, visitors experience what makes Scandinavian design so distinctive. “The furniture’s restrained, unobtrusive aesthetics create a unique feeling of well-being,” explains Maria Mack, who was responsible for redesigning the CustomerCenter as Head of the Brand Experience Project. “Along with the design, an important aspect was the workmanship of the selected furnishings – just like in a coach that is deployed every day. In the CustomerCenter, with our choice of sustainable materials that are ideal for everyday use, we create a direct link with our business.”

Design classics for everyday lifeHigh-quality materials and outstanding workmanship are typical of Scandinavian interiors. The furniture was originally built to last for generations. Many of today’s design classics were not initially created as design objects, but were designed for hospitals, companies or

hotels. An iconic example is the Paimio Armchair by Alvar Aalto. In 1928, together with his wife Aino, the Finnish architect and designer won the architectural competition for building a tuberculosis sanatorium near the Finnish town of Paimio. At the beginning of the construction phase, the couple was also commissioned to take on the interior design.They quickly rejected the first idea of using the typical tubular steel furniture of the Bauhaus style. Instead, they chose wood because it conveys a friendly, warm impression which, from their perspective, suited a sanatorium so much better than cold steel. The armchair made of curved and molded birch wood was not only well-received for its use of materials, but also thanks to its ergonomics. When designing the chair, Alvar and Aino Aalto focused on a comfortable form that enabled an ideal posture for the tubercular patients, and in which they were able to breathe in a relaxed manner and enjoy the sunshine. With the Paimio chair, Alvar Aalto achieved the perfect balance between abstraction, tradition and influences from nature. �

Scandinavian design

“Form follows function” – this oft-quoted motto from the world of

design only succeeds in describing Scandinavian design superfi-

cially. Functionality is a key aspect, of course. Purism, aesthetics,

individuality and comfort are further characteristics that shape

the Nordic interior design style.

Scandinavian design is based on a variety of shapes that speak for themselves.

Photos: Fritz Hansen and Setra CustomerCenter

Functional aesthetics

for more well-being

Even the legendary “duck” by the famous Danish designer Arne Jacobsen was not initially intended for an avant-garde lifestyle, but rather for a pharmaceutical company’s cafeteria. The limited space in the cafeteria led to the three-legged stool, from which the seat and backrest were initially made of a single piece – a revolution in furniture design at the time. In 1958, Arne Jacobsen developed further classics from the Scandinavian furnishing style for the Royal Hotel’s lobby in Copenhagen. His famous “Egg” and “Swan” are also exhibited at the Designmuseum Danmark.

A fusion of tradition and innovationTo this day, Scandinavian design embodies functionality, comfort, quality and timeless aesthetics – with striking parallels to the evo- lutionary design of the Setra brand. This is also why it inspired the interior design in the new CustomerCenter lounge in Neu-Ulm. Light woods such as oak give off a feeling that is light, warm and inviting. In addition, appealing fabrics ensure comfort and well-being. “The overall concept of the Setra CustomerCenter is based on the aspects of a feel-good atmosphere, quality and design. The Scandinavian furniture style fits in perfectly, since it is friendly, cozy, bright, timelessly modern and aesthetically very pleasing,” explains Maria Mack.

Some of the furniture in the Setra CustomerCenter comes from the Danish designer Hee Welling. His “About a Chair” series is a modern interpretation of 20th-century classics. The seat shells are made of plastic, which is individually padded and covered with fabric. “We create objects that are both simple and useful, and we pay attention to careful handling of the materials. Every detail should serve a purpose and make a clear statement. These aspects determine each object’s character and give every design element a unique, strong identity. Everything is designed with respect while referencing our roots – the Scandinavian design tradition,” says Hee Welling. Again and again, his creations have been honoured with coveted awards and are used in interiors worldwide – for example at the Oslo Opera House, in the Australian Parliament and at international corporate head offices.Many young designers from the far north have been inspired by the classical forms of the “Old Masters”. They create designs that carry the legacy of influential personalities such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton and Hans J. Wegner – using a modern-day form language – where contemporary colour and material trends merge with a high standard of quality and timeless forms. This is where minimalism, outstanding craftsmanship and functionality meet with innovative concepts for modern lifestyles. The result is a design that inspires people around the globe.

40 | Setra Horizons

Building a bridge between hand-crafted workmanship and industrial production.

Featuring a welcoming, sympathetic form,

Arne Jacobsen’s “Egg Chair” has conquered

the hearts of design enthusiasts.

Phot

os: F

ritz

Han

sen

Setra Customised | 41

L eaning back nice and relaxed in the comfortable reclining seat. With a reading light, folding table, footrest and USB connection.

Gazing out onto the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s iconic beach. With the foothills of the Alps in the background. Doesn’t exactly sound like a morning commute to work, does it? And yet it is! Every day, close to 3,000 passengers use the 230 line between Nice and the Sophia Antipolis Science & Technology Park, which is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of France with its 35,000 employees and more than 1,400 high-tech companies and institutes.Until recently, the 230 line presented the Council of the Département Alpes-Maritimes and its operative Keolis subsidiary STCAR (Société de Transport Côte d‘Azur Riviera) with a real challenge: traffic congestion at peak times, delays, overcrowded public-service buses. In order to better meet the continuously high demand on this route, the Départe-ment Council decided to operate the line with double-decker coaches. In fact, it is the first double-decker public-service route in France.After a week of testing in 2014, the choice fell on the Setra S 431 DT. The investment included a total of 21 of these double-decker coaches. Parallel to this, scheduling times were shortened. During rush hours, the vehicles depart every ten minutes and at off-peak times, every thirty

minutes. Each of the 21 Setra TopClass double-decker coaches boasts 83 comfortable passenger seats. The 230 line is also state-of-the-art in terms of safety. All vehicles are equipped with Lane Assistant (SPA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ART) and Emergency Brake Assist ABA 3 which detects obstacles and, if necessary, automatically initiates emergency braking to a standstill. Moreover, all Keolis STCAR drivers undergo a one-week theoretical and practical specialised training programme before being allowed to take the helm of the 13.89-metre-long, four- metre-high vehicle.The next step for the Département Council will be to set up a separate lane on the A8 Autoroute for even more convenience, comfort and speed between the two end-stations. This should further increase the

230 line’s high popularity among passengers. In a survey conducted in January, 97 per cent of passengers were satisfied with the interior and exterior design of the S 431 DT coach, as well as with its comfort and on-board service. And, of course, there is another positive result that speaks for the double-decker: 65 per cent of respondents like taking a seat in the upper level where they can enjoy the best view of the beach promenade, the Alps and the sea.

Since the beginning of last year, 21 Setra

double-decker S 431 DT coaches connect the

27-kilometre route between downtown Nice

and the Sophia Antipolis Science & Technology

Park at 10-minute intervals.

A double-decker line for Nice


N o welding, no noisy machines and no hustle and bustle. Instead, focused activity and the occasional sound of a

torque driver. Bus production at the EvoBus plant in Neu-Ulm ex- emplifies automotive manufacturing technology at the highest level. There is very little to remind visitors that under the elegant sheet metal exteriors are steel frames that were welded, sanded and primed before they ended up here. A real contrast to the Holýšov EvoBus plant southwest of Pilsen where visitors encounter employees behind folding protective masks, as well as welders and welding robots. The crackle of welding equipment and rotating angle grinders can be heard everywhere. This isn’t where complete vehicles are produced, only body components. “We very deliberately distributed the manufacturing steps for our coaches and buses to various plants,” says Dr Marcus Nicolai, Head of Production at Daimler Buses. “This way, we can focus certain core competencies, such as welding, KTL priming or painting, at a few sites, while increasing flexibility in assembly. This allows us to manufacture many types of coaches and buses at several locations.” According to Nicolai, this also enables Daimler Buses to guarantee a consistently high quality of all operations, while optimising production capacities. Currently, especially the business models from the Setra MultiClass, which are in very high demand, are benefitting from the production network. Depending on the model, these vehicles can be produced at various plants in Europe. And the only real difference Setra customers ever notice are the shorter delivery times. The Daimler Buses production network includes six plants: in Mann- heim and Neu-Ulm in Germany, Ligny-en-Barrois in France, Holýšov in the Czech Republic, Istanbul-Hosdere in Turkey and Sámano in Spain, whereby the latter produces only bus chassis. Ligny produces all line buses for the French market. The plant on the Bosphorus enjoys a special status since it is the only site in the entire network where all production steps, from shell construction through to final assembly, take place. Along with production for the Turkish market, selected complete buses for the European market are also produced at the Hosdere plant.

For all other locations of the EvoBus production network, the Mann- heim plant is responsible for shell construction. From shell segments produced at the Holýšov plant, the bodies for all bus and coach types in the EvoBus portfolio are created here. For Setra, this means all vehicles from the MultiClass, the ComfortClass and the TopClass, from the compact two-axle bus to the double-decker touring coach. All bodies then undergo cathodic dip coating, an environmentally friendly priming process that permanently protects the body against corrosion – both internally and externally. Along with the Mannheim site, the Istanbul plant also houses a dip coating facility.After priming in Mannheim, the coach bodies travel to Ulm by train, where the next step in the production network awaits them. Neu-Ulm boasts one of the most modern painting facilities worldwide with 13 painting booths, in which up to 40 buses can be painted every day. Robots are used for certain painting steps and, hour after hour and day after day, they perform impeccable finishes onto the sheet metal – always in the same top quality. Wherever the robots cannot reach, highly skilled staff ensures perfect painting results. The Neu-Ulm

plant is also home to another centre of expertise within the producti-on network: seat assembly. This is where all the seats for coachesthat are built in Neu-Ulm, Mannheim or Ligny are produced – in thefinest quality. From there, the painted coaches, depending on the model, either continue on their journey to Mannheim or Ligny, or remain in Neu-Ulm for assembly. “The standards in all four assembly plants, including Istanbul, are identical, such as auditing according to DIN EN ISO/ TS 16949 and DIN EN ISO 14001,” explains Dr Marcus Nicolai. “The assembly steps and the strict quality control are the same everywhere.” These include so-called “Quality Gates” where previous work within the production is reviewed and approved. Moreover, ongoing improvements in the process, such as the recently introduced conversion of two parallel assembly lines to single-line production and the introduction of 36-minute intervals in the assembly in Ulm, contribute to ensuring the highest quality. And that is why Nicolai is convinced that “a Setra LE business from Ligny or Istanbul is indistinguishable from one built in Neu-Ulm–neither in terms of equipment nor the quality of workmanship.”

Joining forces Setra coaches and buses are built within an

elaborate network of European production sites.

This is how Daimler Buses can ensure not only

the highest automotive quality standard, but

also a high degree of flexibility.

Quality and flexibility in the production network

This also enables Daimler Buses to guarantee a consistently high quality of all operations.

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Documents

Award-winning design - Setra · Better living in the 190-metre high “Turning Torso” 38 with stunning views of Copenhagen. The new Setra Setra CustomerCenter‘s interior has been