The Intouro is now even more economical: with the optional hybrid module, it saves up to five percent of its fuel. This makes it a specialist in urban cross-country travel.

The basic functioning of the Intouro hybrid is remarkably simple: an additional electric motor works in the braking and deceleration phases as a generator, converting braking energy into electricity. This is stored and made available to the electric motor supporting the combustion engine when idling, starting and accelerating. On urban and suburban routes, this can save up to five percent of the fuel.

The electricity gained by recuperation is stored in capacitors, also known as “supercaps”. They are excellent at handling continuous switches between charging and discharging when the bus starts and stops. The second core component of the hybrid drive is the electric motor. The power unit is installed between the combustion engine and automatic transmission. Its power runs up to 14 kW, the torque to 220 Nm. The electric motor supports the combustion engine when high power is required. However, it does not increase the maximum power, for which reason the statistics for power and torque for the bus or coach as a whole remain the same. Instead, it relieves the burden on the combustion engine.

The hybrid module is available for the Intouro and Intouro M models. The two double-axle buses (lengths 12.18 and 13.09 metres) form the core of the Intouro family. Now, the highly manoeuvrable new model, the Intouro K, has joined the crew. The 10.75-metre-long bus is perfect for travel through hilly regions, on winding roads and with smaller groups. All three versions of the Intouro hybrid cover the classical sector of high-floor intercity buses. They can be used as a businesslike, high-floor intercity bus with a luggage compartment, school bus or shuttle bus, works transport bringing workers to the factory, or even as a comfortable coach for day trips and weekend travel. The hybrid technology shows its strengths particularly in stop-and-go transport. This means these intercity buses are particularly beneficial to transport companies on high-traffic stretches and on urban and suburban routes.

Also astounding are the exemplary safety features of the Intouro hybrid. As a true Mercedes-Benz, the new Intouro offers a hitherto unparalleled level of safety in its sector. The key focus here is accident avoidance. Of particular note is the unique emergency braking assistant, Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5), a further milestone celebrating its début in the Intouro. For the first time, ABA works with a combination of radar and camera systems. The assistance system, available on request, can execute an automatic full brake to standstill, within the system limits, when mobile and stationary obstacles are detected. As the world’s first emergency braking assistant for buses and coaches, ABA 5 can also execute full braking when a moving person is detected ahead. Further assistance systems, such as Sideguard Assist (for turning), are also available.