Showing posts with label euro VI. Show all posts

Customers take delivery of first series production Citaro buses meeting the Euro VI emission standard

By | Published Saturday, 26 May 2012

Wiesbaden-based ESWE has today taken delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Citaro meeting the future Euro VI emission standard in a handover ceremony attended by Dr. Helmut Müller, Lord Mayor of the provincial capital of Wiesbaden. A further two vehicles are due to be delivered in the next few days. These are the first series production buses to go into operation featuring the clean technology.
Emission control system comprising SCR technology plus exhaust gas recirculation

In order to meet Euro VI, the buses feature a sophisticated emission control system: this combines the customary Mercedes-Benz SCR technology comprising AdBlue injection and oxidizing catalytic converter with exhaust gas recirculation and a closed particulate filter. Comprehensive design measures have helped to ensure that the buses do not weigh any more despite the additional equipment, and contrary to initial assumptions both the fuel consumption and therefore the CO2 emissions have even been reduced.

Citaro Euro VI: a milestone in bus development

Application of Euro VI will not become compulsory for the Citaro until 2014 - making advance fulfilment of the standard by the first series production regular service bus by the middle of 2012 all the more remarkable. According to Uwe Cramer, Chairman of the Board of ESWE: "We take our responsibility towards both people and the environment extremely seriously. Buses meeting the highest possible emission standard play a significant role in this."

According to Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses: "As far as we are concerned, it's not a case of only striving for environmental protection when the lawmakers force us to do so. We provide our customers with the best possible emission control. Taking on this challenge is of course part of the pioneering role played by Mercedes-Benz."

Clean, powerful and economical engines

The vehicles being delivered are articulated buses from the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G model series. The clean, powerful and economical OM 470 engines are part of the latest Mercedes-Benz engine generation and produce 265 kW (360 hp). The latest-generation Voith DIWA.6 automatic transmissions have also been tuned to meet Euro VI.

Passengers are able to board the buses via three electrically-operated inward folding doors. Other on-board equipment includes an air conditioning system for the passenger compartment as well as a separate air conditioning system for the driver's area.

Intensive cooperation for more than 90 years

ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft based in Wiesbaden, the state capital of Hesse, has a history dating back more than 130 years including the experience of its predecessor company. The company has relied on Mercedes-Benz buses for a number of years now. The cooperation began some 90 years ago with the first regular service buses in Wiesbaden. Today the company's own fleet comprises around 200 buses. Since 2008, regular service buses meeting what was previously the highest EEV emission standard have been purchased - all of them from Mercedes-Benz. Two-thirds of the regular service buses are now star-branded models.
Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Test track in Wiesbaden: an urban challenge for the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro VI

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Clean, responsive, comfortable and user-friendly. Introducing the Mercedes-Benz Citaro with new drive technology that meets the Euro VI emissions standard. And has already made a superb impression on demanding routes today.

Three doors, impressive lighting – the new Citaro

The optional pivot-and-slide doors open within seconds to welcome both driver and passengers aboard. An LED light strip illuminates the step, while another light strip in the door frame overhead highlights the entire entrance – the new Citaro certainly makes it easy for passengers, extending an invitation to hop on board.

Driver’s area upgraded with new door locking system

A new optional feature for the Citaro is the electromagnetic locking system for the door to the driver’s cab, activated via a button in the cockpit. In the test bus, a partition extending across half the width of the door creates distance from the passengers, yet doesn’t prevent direct contact.
The driver’s area itself is by now well-known: plenty of space with enough storage options for everything from the driver’s bag to the chilled compartment, to the pen and mug holders. Anyone driving the Citaro also benefits from a cockpit that is comfortable, modern and well-laid-out.

The buttons are exactly where they should be, the four-spoke steering wheel with multifunctional buttons is a comfortable fit. High-quality materials have been used, evident in everything from the pleasant feel of the cockpit cover to the chrome ring of the round air vents. Any driver who takes to the helm of this bestselling bus can expect a first-class working environment.

The new OM 936 located in the rear of rigid bus

Not much more than a subtle rumble can be heard from behind when the new in-line six-cylinder OM 936 engine starts up, one that meets the Euro VI standard with a 7.7 l displacement, 220 kW (299 horsepower) power output and 1 200 Nm torque. In the test vehicle, it has been installed upright in a tower construction. Immediately above this is the radiator. With automatic transmission set to “D” and the parking brake released, the Citaro leaves the ESWE bus depot in Wiesbaden’s Gartenfeldstrasse in the centre of the city, not far from the main train station.

A challenge for any omnibus: Wiesbaden


ESWE is a company that has been closely linked to Mercedes-Benz for many years now. The first transit buses appeared in Wiesbaden as far back as 1922, from a predecessor of the current Daimler AG. Whether during the changeover from trams to buses in 1929 or today: vehicles from Mercedes-Benz have always taken centre stage.

The state capital of Hesse really sets a challenge for buses and their drivers. Wiesbaden may be situated in a wide lowland, yet there are significant height differences to be overcome within the city’s confines. This includes the several kilometres of bus routes 4 and 14 which run parallel to each other, connecting the city centre with the densely populated district of Wiesbaden-Biebrich on the Rhine. This popular duo is the perfect test route for the Citaro and its new Euro IV-compliant drive train.

Straight as a die: Biebricher Allee

The Citaro crosses the Bahnhofsplatz only a few hundred metres from the bus depot, before turning left onto Biebricher Allee and filtering into the flow of traffic on ESWE lines 4 and 14. After reaching just the first stop on Fischerstrasse, the route continues as straight as a die with an increasingly uphill gradient – no easy task.

The distances between the bus stops on Biebricher Allee are short, with additional stops factored in due to traffic lights. Hard work for an urban bus, however a seemingly easy task for the Citaro. Even at half-throttle, the bus moves gently yet purposefully forward, seamlessly merging with the rest of the traffic on the wide avenue. The new compact Euro VI engine with 7.7 l displacement confidently accelerates forward every time.

Powerful acceleration and low engine speeds on gradients

The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts up under these circumstances by 1 250 rpm at the latest, even earlier at less, resulting in extremely low acceleration speeds of around 800 to 900 rpm. The compact engine performs effortlessly, really showing its mettle when faced with an uphill challenge. Proving to have plenty of power even below 1 000 rpm, this is a vehicle boasting peak performance.

The route along Biebricher Allee certainly sets the bar high: kerbs are raised kerbs at the bus stops and bevelled to protect tyres. Tactile lines on the pavement safely guide visually impaired passengers to the front of the bus, while the surrounding road surface has been reinforced to ensure there is no damage caused by the continuous flow of these heavy vehicles.

Turnover is high: the buses travelling along routes 4 and 14 are ten minutes apart during the day, with a bus at the stop every five minutes on average. Due to the high number of passengers commuting, only articulated buses are used – primarily the Mercedes-Benz Citaro.

Transmission shifts up very early on downhill stretches

The route peaks after around a kilometre. It gets easier for the Citaro from this point on, rolling down in the direction of Wiesbaden-Biebrich. Halfway there is the Landesdenkmal stop: to the right an obelisk and a statue commemorating Duke Adolf of Nassau (later the Grand Duke of Luxembourg) and, on the opposite side of the avenue, the large sparkling wine cellar and visitor attraction.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro keeps on going however. On downhill stretches, its shift points are extremely low at only around 1 000 rpm. Acceleration speeds reach around 800 rpm. And despite this, the drive train operates almost without vibration. The bus then traverses the A66 motorway, connecting Wiesbaden to Frankfurt and Rüdesheim.

The route divides after the stop Herzogsplatz, taking the one-way street Strasse der Republik and then Rathausstrasse into the heart of the densely populated district of Wiesbaden-Biebrich. Business and residential buildings to the left and right, rows of snugly parked cars, as well as plenty of pedestrians – a challenge easily managed by the driver from his spacious Citaro cab.

Typical Citaro feature is and remains its manoeuvrability

Almost 4.5 kilometres into the journey, the banks of the Rhine are in sight. The bus lines separate here, with the Citaro veering right along route number 14. The right-angled approach to Rheingaustrasse requires special attention, calling on the articulated bus to use two lanes when turning, generally advised as a safety precaution. The driver of the Citaro has no problems making a clean turn here thanks to the vehicle’s small turning radius and superb view.

Approximately 300 metres later, passengers on the right-hand side of the bus have the opportunity to admire the Baroque Biebrich Palace. Once the residence of the Nassau dynasty, today it is used for events such as state government receptions. It is also poses as the civil registry office, providing the perfect backdrop to romantic wedding photos. Over the Whitsun holiday period each year, the international equestrian elite meet in the palace gardens to take part in Wiesbaden’s “Pfingstturnier” tournament. The Citaro follows its own course on a daily basis, travelling from stop to stop along Rheingaustrasse with its fancy villas.

The Citaro urban bus: smooth chassis, quiet drive

After just a few hundred metres, the bus turns right onto Albert-Schweitzer-Allee. Here, on the flat, the shift points are between 1 000 and 1 200 rpm when accelerating, at 50 km/h the Citaro conserves fuel and remains quiet with 1 000 rpm.

On this slightly uneven surface, both driver and passengers also benefit from the chassis and suspension set-up of the bus. The front axle with independent wheel suspension absorbs any inconsistencies in the road surface and prevents any disruption to the Citaro’s steering capability.

The new engine masters the uphill challenge

Another kilometre into the journey and the route leads along the Äppelallee back to Herzogsplatz and Biebricher Allee. Then uphill to Wiesbaden city centre, a real test for the Citaro with several stops and traffic lights along the 1.5 km stretch of slope.

Despite acceleration at full throttle, the engine remains quiet and discreet. It is the passengers to the rear of the bus who benefit in particular from the smooth running characteristics of the in-line six-cylinder engine with common-rail injection, from the low engine speeds and sophisticated noise insulation.

Anyone travelling at night will notice the new unique ambient lighting in the passenger compartment, available as an optional extra. Additional lamps above the double seats beam either orange or white light, while LED reading lamps can be individually adjusted. A level of comfort almost on a par with coach travel and even greater safety to boot. Another impressive feature of the Citaro is the blue night light.

Efficient retarder decelerates almost to a standstill

The influence of the retarder certainly becomes apparent on the descent into the city: if the bus is equipped with a pitman arm for the third brake, skilled drivers can almost bring the vehicle to a standstill when required.

During this part of the route, the automatic transmission switches up a gear up again with around 1 000 rpm when accelerating - it doesn’t get much resourceful than this!

The test course once again diverts from bus routes 4 and 14 at the main train station, heading back to the ESWE bus depot in Wiesbaden. 10.5 km have been completed in around 40 minutes and 24 bus stops reached. With its new Euro IV-compliant drive train, the Citaro has completed the course with flying colours, powerful acceleration and low-noise operation.
Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Press trial drive for the Citaro Euro VI: The test vehicles in detail

By | Published Friday, 25 May 2012

Mercedes-Benz Citaro rigid bus: the test vehicle in detail

- Drivetrain: clean, powerful and economical

- Safety: ESP, bi-xenon lights and much more besides

- Functionality: driver and service-friendly

- Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The Citaro sets the standard for environmental awareness, economy, safety and comfort, and as a test vehicle it reveals the major contribution that state-of-the-art, superb-quality buses can make to urban public transport today. The three-door rigid bus with vertically mounted engine offers a unique mix of features, from compliance with the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard to the ESP electronic stability program.

Drivetrain: clean, powerful and economical

This Citaro is powered with the new OM 936 in-line six-cylinder engine with displacement of 7.7 litres, a power rating of 220 kW (299 hp) and a maximum torque of 1200 Nm. It already meets the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. Power is transferred by the ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic transmission system. The highest-torque engine is an ideal match for the standard rear axle ratio of i=5.77. This is almost ten percent longer than in the Citaro with the previous engine, which lowers engine speed and therefore fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise levels.

Recuperation module saves fuel

The outstanding fuel economy of the new Citaro will be based on the recuperation module (24 volts). The process for achieving fuel savings in the regular-service bus is as follows: the free electricity generated during the overrun phase is stored and used to operate the vehicle’s electrical accessories. This reduces the load on the drivetrain and lowers fuel consumption.

The energy storage function is performed by “supercaps”, double-layer capacitors with a power rating of 6 kW and a capacitance of 1 Ah. This process alone reduces the Citaro’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by more than two percent.

Safety: ESP, bi-xenon lights and much more besides

The Citaro also offers an exemplary level of safety. The vehicle is fitted with the ESP electronic stability program, the only low-floor bus to have this feature. The ESP package also includes acceleration skid control. The Citaro chassis combines attributes of comfort and safety, with individual wheel suspension on the front axle, anti-roll bars on both axles, and electronically operated level control. The integrated roll-and-pitch control system (another equipment option) limits bodywork movements while the vehicle is under way and increases passenger comfort. By enhancing the distribution of the vehicle load, it also reduces the stress on the carriageway surface.
Other unique features of the bus include the lighting system with bi-xenon headlamps, fog lamps with integrated cornering light function and LED daytime running lamps – plus a headlamp wash and wipe system. All-round visibility is also enhanced with electrically operated and heated exterior mirrors and a reversing camera.

The vehicle also has a video system to cater for a rather different aspect of safety: a camera by door 1 monitors the cash register and entrance area, and another placed at door 2 provides surveillance of the passenger compartment to the front and rear of that point. The monitor is a 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) screen with switch controls operated from the driver workstation. The usual interior mirrors also give the driver a view of the passenger compartment. The door into the driver’s compartment closes flush with the front end partition, and has an electromagnetic locking system. The partition screen extends over half the door width, creating a sense of separation and distance, and also contributing to an even temperature in the driver’s cab.

LED entrance lights are placed under the hem section at all three doors to help passengers boarding the vehicle in dark conditions.

And if the worst should happen, along with the fire alarm system provided as standard equipment, there is an automatic fire extinguisher system fitted in the engine compartment.

Functionality: driver and service-friendly

Functionality is a key priority in the test vehicle. The segmented side panelling with easily replaced components simplifies repairs of minor damage. Electrically operated pivot-and-slide doors at all three entrances open and close rapidly, and remain securely shut when closed. The electrically operated cassette ramp under the vehicle floor at door 2 provides easier access for scooter and wheelchair users, and also for prams. The driver’s life is also made easier by the sensors placed on the ramp step mat and detection devices on the step edge. A strip of yellow blinking LED lamps on the front edge of the ramp and LED light strips under all the door entrances illuminate the road surface and make boarding the bus easier and safer. The roof hatches are electrically operated.

Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The comfort story starts in the driver’s workstation at the front left of the bus, which is air-conditioned and fitted with a refrigeration box, mug holder and several stowage compartments.
The seating in the passenger compartment comprises the highly functional City Star Eco seats, manufactured in-house, a folding seat with a wheelchair parking surface in the priority area opposite door 2. The cushions and backs of the seats are upholstered in “La Plata” fabric. The passenger compartment is air-conditioned with blower heaters, a roof-top air-conditioning unit and an additional heater device. A new feature is ambient lighting, based on power-saving, long-life LED technology, above each row of seats and the standing section. The anthracite-coloured needle felt inside wall side panelling adds a touch of home comfort, and also helps to damp noise levels.

Visual appearance: brilliant silver finish

The Citaro is painted metallic brilliant silver, and the same finish is used on the bumpers and mounted parts such as the air-conditioning system cover panel, turbo roof fans and backs of the outside mirrors.

The test Mercedes-Benz Citaro vehicle - key equipment:

- OM 936 engine, power rating 220 kW (299 hp), meets Euro VI exhaust emissions standard
- Recuperation module
- ZF Ecolife automatic transmission
- ESP electronic stability program
- Electronically controlled legal adjustment
- Roll-and-pitch control
- Bi-xenon headlamps
- Fog lamps with integrated cornering light function
- LED daytime running lamps
- LED light strips below door entrances illuminating the road surface or the ground by the bus stop
- Cassette ramp, electrically operated
- Pivot-and-slide doors, electrically operated
- Electrically operated, heated outside mirror
- Video surveillance of interior
- Fire extinguisher system in engine compartment
- Electrically driver cab door, partition screen over half door width
- Refrigerator box in driver’s workstation
- Driver station air conditioning
- Passenger compartment air conditioning
- Electrically operated roof hatches
- City Star Eco seats
- Mobitec destination display
- Gorba passenger information system
- Ambient lighting in passenger compartment
- LED ceiling lights with additional night lighting (blue)
- Needle felt side wall panelling

Mercedes-Benz Citaro G: the test vehicle in detail

- Drivetrain: clean, light and powerful

- Safety: tyre pressure monitoring outside, video cameras inside

- Functionality: outstanding driver and service-friendly characteristics of the Citaro G

- Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The Citaro G is the ideal large-capacity bus for routes with high passenger volumes. With the powerful new OM 470 engine, meeting the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard, the vehicle is even more environmentally friendly and economical, and the level of safety and comfort is also even better than before. The three-door with vertically-mounted engine also provides exemplary functionality.

Drivetrain: clean, light and powerful

The Citaro G is powered by the new in-line six-cylinder OM 470 engine, with 10.7-l displacement, a power rating of 265 kW (360 hp) and maximum torque of 1700 Nm. The engine already meets the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. In spite of its compact size, the weight-optimised engine of the Citaro G is more powerful than its proven predecessor in all engine speed ranges.

Power is transferred by the ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic transmission system. The final drive ratio of i=6.22 is ideal for the gross vehicle weight rating of 28 tonnes and the extremely high-torque engine. Impressive torque even at low engine speeds ensures excellent acceleration and early upshifts.

Safety: tyre pressure monitoring outside, video cameras inside

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G chassis provides an outstanding mix of comfort and safety, based on individual wheel suspension on the front axle. Anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles limit roll movements. The electronically controlled articulation limiter and acceleration skid control system ensure active safety in all normal driving situations. An electronically operated level control system keeps the body reliably balanced. Another useful safety function is the new tyre pressure monitoring system, with individual readings for all ten tyres. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure increases service life and reduces fuel consumption.

Powerful halogen-H7 headlamps, fog lamps and LED daytime running lamps ensure the vehicle can “see” and be seen at all times. The generous dimensions of an articulated bus highlight the importance of electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors.

Given that the driver has only limited ability to keep an eye on the large passenger compartment in the vehicle, the test vehicle is equipped with an extensive video surveillance system. Cameras monitor the cash register and entrance area at door 1, the interior from the cross duct and back from door 2, the rear section back from the articulation point, and the rear section looking forwards. The driver can switch between views as desired on a 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) monitor. The bus also has the familiar inside mirrors and a reversing aid with display on the A-column.

The door into the driver’s cab is electromagnetically locked, and separated from the passenger compartment by a partition screen extending over half the door width.

An automatic fire extinguisher system in the engine compartment reduces any risk of a fire.

Functionality: outstanding driver and service-friendly characteristics of the Citaro G

Passengers board the bus through three pneumatically operated inward-opening doors. A manually operated folding ramp is available for mobility-impaired passengers at door 2.

Functionality is a key consideration in the Citaro G. For example, the instrument panel has two fittings for mounting auxiliary devices. Electrically operated roof hatches are provided as a matter of course, along with an outside loudspeaker system in the test vehicle for the effective communication of messages. The interior lighting is based on economical and long-life LED lights.

Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The transparent accordion section with window openings gives the Citaro G passenger compartment an even more friendly and open look. The same goes for the wood finish on the floor, in “Gaya Wood Dark Brown”. The anthracite-colour needle felt inside wall panelling also adds a touch of home comfort.

The seating in the passenger compartment comprises City Star Eco seats, manufactured in-house, upholstered in La Plata fabric. The test vehicle also has eight back-to-back seats over the middle axle.

In the priority area on the left side at the level of door 2, there is space for a support surface for a wheelchair facing against the direction of travel and a total of three folding seats. The passenger compartment is air-conditioned with blower heaters, a roof-top air-conditioning unit and an auxiliary heater. Along with the roof duct ventilation system, the test vehicle also has ventilation for the articulation area.

The driver’s station is air-conditioned. A refrigerator box, mug holder and several stowage compartments are also provided to the driver’s life easier.

Visual appearance: classy anthracite metallic look

The anthracite metallic paint finish on the articulated bus underpins the vehicle’s superior quality image. The mounted parts are also painted in this colour, except the backs of the mirrors, which are painted grey.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G vehicle - key equipment:
- OM 470 engine, power rating 265 kW (360 hp), meets Euro VI exhaust emissions standard
- ZF Ecolife automatic transmission
- Electronic articulation limiter
- Electronic level control
- Halogen H7 headlamps
- Fog lamps
- LED daytime running lamps
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Manually operated folding ramp
- Transparent accordion section
- Inward-opening doors, pneumatically operated
- Electrically operated, heated outside mirror
- Video surveillance of interior
- Fire extinguisher system in the engine compartment
- Driver’s cab door with electrical locking system, partition screen extending over half door width
- Refrigerator box at driver workstation
- Driver workstation air conditioning
- Passenger compartment air conditioning
- Cockpit with fittings for additional devices
- Electrically operated roof hatches
- Ventilation for articulation zone
- City Star Eco seats
- Mobitec destination display
- Gorba passenger information system
- Needle felt side wall panelling































































































































































































Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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