Design a customised driver's workstation. Thanks to its extraordinary flexibility, the O 500 RS makes it easy for you to tailor the cockpit to your precise requirements.

The driver's workstation in the O 500 RS is fully functional and can easily be adapted to your specific requirements. The steering column, for example, can be adjusted in height and inclination. 

The Mercedes-Benz O 500 RS chassis are vehicles featuring the on-board electronics concept, comprised of electronic control units that are interconnected through a CAN system, which is the digital interface for data communication.

It is a real time communication network, that handles and distributes information and control data. The purpose of the CAN system is to smartly improve data acquisition and handling, as well as to reduce the number of connections and cables between systems, thereby increasing the overall safety of the system. 

The front axle of the O 500 RS provides robust performance and premium comfort in the front section. At the same time it stabilises your vehicle body, preventing roll movements and ensuring vehicle track stability. The stabilisers allow you to achieve even better road-holding. The high-quality front axle increases the vehicle's manoeuvrability, enabling a 12 metres vehicle to have a turning circle of 20.6 metres. The chassis can also be equipped with a pneumatic raising/lowering mechanism to protect the vehicle underbody from damage when driving over obstacles or uneven surfaces.

Drivers like buses with light, direct steering characteristics. The O 500 RS is designed with this in mind. The variable steering gear is mounted in front of the moving axle components, outside the area vulnerable to crash damage, and is therefore protected against damage in the event of an accident. 

Safety plays a key role with the O 500 RS. That's why the electropneumatic braking system (EBS) with disc brakes all round is included as standard. EBS controls the complex brake functions of the entire vehicle combination, resulting in a high level of safety thanks to up to 20 % shorter stopping distances. In addition, the vehicle remains steerable thanks to ABS even during emergency braking. 

The EBS system also relieves the strain on the driver by precisely controlling brake pressures and providing short response times, whilst also having the feel of a passenger car brake pedal. 

EBS provides high functional reliability owing to constant monitoring of the service brake and its components with warning system in the event of failure. It further can deliver improved workshop and servicing downtimes due to the wear-controlled brake-power distribution and fault storage allowing for faster diagnosis.

The buggy centre section connects the rear and front components for vehicle transportation. It protects the assemblies with the aim of keeping vehicle transportation costs as low as possible.

The O 500 RS driven axle has already proven its suitability in the Australian market in our OC 500 chassis. It is highly robust and reliable, this axle delivers exceptionally smooth  and quiet operation which will ensure customer satisfaction.

Customer satisfaction also depends on the ride comfort provided by your buses. That’s why the driven axle of the O 500 RS is equipped with an electronically controlled suspension, riding on 4 airbags with 4 telescopic shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, this ensures maximum passenger ride comfort.

The steered trailing axle for the three-axle O 500 RSD variant is the ideal complement, making slow manoeuvring and reversing significantly easier. Improved manoeuvrability also means less tyre wear. 

Low operating and maintenance costs are a convincing argument for a bus operator. With the O 500 RS you lay the foundation for uncompromising economy.

The OM 457 LA BlueTec 5 (Euro V) electronically managed engine is a proven performer in Australian conditions, the 12L engine ensures long life in arduos conditions whilst being economical to operate. The diesel is a water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engine, vertically mounted, with four-valve cylinder head technology, that is both turbocharged and intercooled. The Electronic Engine Management with individual injection pumps and centrally located six-hole injector nozzles (UPS fuel injection) provide the ideal combination of power and fuel economy. 

The O 500 RS is avaiable with your choice of ZF Ecolife Automatic or Mercedes Benz GO240-8 Powershit transmissions. 

The ZF Ecolife 6-speed automatic transmission is especially adapted for use in urban buses applications. The retarder is also standard equipment and is integrated in the transmission housing to save weight. It can provide ample braking force to stop at low speeds. It reduces the load on the service brake and thus also wear and tear as well as maintenance costs. 

Transmission Mercedes-Benz GO 240-8 PowerShift is an automated 8-speed constant mesh transmission with integrated shift system (IS) PowerShift. It has an optimised design for bus-specific operating conditions with wide ratio between first and top gear and double overdrive design. It comes equipped with a Voith 115 Retarder and is the ideal choice for long distance applications. 

The engine and transmission system maintenance schedules are optimised to assist in improving longevity, reliability, and lower operating costs.

The O 500 RS cooling system incorporates an electronically-controlled viscous fan coupling that provides precise engine temperature control, varying fan speed to meet the engine cooling requirements. The control system ensures it is ony activated when required, not only improving fuel consumption but reducing fan noise for improved passenger comfort.