The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is outstandingly economical. Assistance systems play an essential role here. They support the driver and increase efficiency.
Omnibus Magazine
The Tourismo – when efficiency is where it’s at.
Lower consumption, save costs – with ultra-modern assistance systems.
The Tourismo – when efficiency is where it’s at.
Lower consumption, save costs – with ultra-modern assistance systems.
High fuel costs, a difficult economic environment, unceasing pressure of competition – these days, a coach’s efficient performance is of critical importance. The time of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo has come: tuned at the factory to achieve maximum efficiency, a whole bundle of high-tech assistance systems gives a further boost to the efficiency of this coach.
When the cruise control looks ahead.
Outstanding aerodynamics and a perfectly tuned power train – this is the basis for the well-known low consumption of the Tourismo. If you want to get even more out of the high-decker coach you can use additional assistance systems: with Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC). The optional GPS cruise control intervenes in the controls of the fully automated Mercedes PowerShift transmission. The system knows the topography of motorways and trunk roads ahead. PPC allows the automatic gears to shift proactively and select a new speed before inclines, hills, summits and dips. In doing so, PPC helps the driver and contributes to fuel consumption optimisation and efficiency. Currently, it already covers 95 percent of the approx. 300,000 kilometres of motorway and highway in Europe.
Driver coaching on board.
Important additional support is offered by the Driver Score system. Aided by practical notifications on the display, the driver is able to optimise the driving style of the Tourismo. The system carries out an evaluation of personal driving styles in four categories: acceleration, braking, evenness and coasting. In the braking category, for example, the frequency of use of the retarder at its highest level or the sensible use of the brakes are assessed. In acceleration, the use of the gas pedal and engine rpm are the focus. Reports on the individual driving style are presented during the trip or afterwards in the form of a bar chart. If they deviate clearly from the ideal, practical instructions will be given. This promotes a cost-aware, efficient driving style.
“Driver Score evaluates the driver’s personal driving style and offers practical tips.”
One the road with perfect tyre pressure.
The importance of a bus or coach’s tyres is often neglected – but they form the only points of contract between the vehicle and the road. Coaches in top form need top-performance tyres. Here, Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) helps. The wireless tyre pressure monitoring system providing a feed to the multifunctional display is an electronic safety system that constantly checks the fill level of all the tyres. The tyre pressure monitor shows the current pressure in the individual tyres and sends a warning when it deviates from what is optimum. Having the correct tyre pressure lowers wear on the tyres, prevents dangerous damage and has a clear effect on fuel consumption: a pressure 0.5 bar below optimum can already mean an increase in fuel consumption of up to five percent.
“An invisible trick: the lowering of the Tourismo at motorway speed.”
Air resistance on the back foot!
One of the other tricks the coach has up its sleeve is an invisible one. At speeds over 95 km/h, the body of the Tourismo is imperceptibly and automatically lowered by 20 millimetres. If the speed drops again below 70 km/h, it rises again of its own accord. This lowering reduces the front-end surface, with a knock-on effect on fuel consumption and emissions. Aerodynamics of course played a huge role in the development of the Tourismo in the first place. The large, domed windscreen curves gently and seamlessly into the ceiling and side walls. The driver’s window and doors are built in flush with the bodywork. From the leaf-shaped arms of the wing mirrors and rounded roof above through the cladding of the underbody below the front to the recessed rear corner pillars with trailing edges – the Tourismo is logically built for favourable aerodynamics and thus designed for low fuel consumption.
