With the new eCitaro, Mercedes-Benz is entering a whole new era of urban transport – and not only as far as the drive technology is concerned: the vehicle’s exterior is also changing noticeably. Even the previous successful model, of which over 50,000 have been sold around the world, was known for its independent and dynamic design. Nevertheless, the brand, which stands for reliable urban buses like no other in Europe, has not been content with freshening up the previous design shell. Clearly borrowing from the Mercedes-Benz “Future Bus” study, the Daimler Buses Head of Design, Stefan S. Handt, has created a new appearance for the city that is full of character.

The native Berliner, who earned his professional spurs both in the car as well as the truck and van sectors, says on this matter: “The design of the new eCitaro signals the future and electromobility as such.” Yet Handt not only set out to mark a new era, but also had the intention of visibly strengthening the Mercedes-Benz brand: “When I decide as a customer to invest in new capital goods, then this product must possess an individual character trait. A Mercedes-Benz, for example, should always exude quality, solidity, reliability and, last but not least, modernity.” The underlying “creative gesture” here may only be evident to many onlookers at the second, more intensive look, yet has a longer lasting effect.

The new front design in a black fascia look with a bodylike frame, which is adorned by completely new design elements, for instance the round headlights with LED technology or the optically low-slung bow area, ought to catch the eye of any onlooker at first glance. Handt: “The classic Mercedes-Benz radiator grille is now invoked in a very modern way. The front of the bus thus displays an extreme sense of power, which looks impressive to oncoming traffic.” At the same time, the front is characterised by its horizontal severity, without “looking boring”, however. The three-dimensional decorative elements are made of shaped, smoke-grey glass elements with a chrome-plated surface on the back. “Depending on the perspective, it takes on a different effect and thus reveals a particular charm,” says the designer explaining the innovative effect.

In terms of the design, special attention was naturally paid to the roof structure of the buses, which are 3.40 metres high – that is around 50 centimetres more than the conventional model. From a construction point of view, it is prepared for all further evolutionary steps up to 2022 and for Handt the roof is the bus’s “fifth face” – alongside the front/rear and side views. In addition to the solid aluminium extruded profiles fitted on the sides for the first time, the transitions from the front and rear section to the roof are characterised by painted “islands”, which are surrounded by a black strip and thus run across the whole vehicle. “We thereby pulled off an optical trick that reduces the severity of the roof and makes it look lighter.”

The designer also makes it easier for the garage in the event of a repair, as the framework, rear and side walls have many parts in common with the previous model. Thus, the interior has also only been gently modernised: what is striking here above all is the new ceiling, which now offers more headroom and takes some of the weight off the top. The roof looks almost like it is hovering because the window bars are now clad in black. Wide LED strip lights diffuse a pleasant light and provide safety on board. New air ducts made of textile material ensure low noise in turn – after all, the drive unit is now barely audible when setting off.

In the cockpit, however, the Daimler design department largely refrained from making changes, as Handt explains: “The drivers of electric buses should get a sense of familiarity and safety as soon as they get on – be able to easily find their way.” A good idea, as even in the new, exciting electromobility era, it is sometimes simply a matter of steering the most widely sold urban bus in Europe through the traffic with authority and ease.