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

The driver's workstation in the OC 500 RF is fully functional and can easily be adapted to your specific requirements. The steering column, for example, can be adjusted in height and inclination. There is no conventional gearshift lever in the cockpit, which offers your designers greater scope to implement their ideas. Instead the driver has a joystick with pneumatic shifting aid on the right of the seat. High precision and smooth travel ensure gearshifting comfort to rival that of a passenger car. Thanks to integrated emergency-running characteristics, the vehicle remains roadworthy even if the gearshift should fail. The variable location of the joystick also has ergonomic benefits. Easy to reach and operate, it eases the driver's workload and helps to ensure full concentration on the road ahead – a key contribution to driving safety.

Focused intelligence. The OC 500 RF electronics system sets it apart from other chassis. It has a central "brain", the IES CAN (integrated electronics system controller area network), in which all electronic components are integrated. All control units can be monitored easily using the IES on-board diagnostics system. This facilitates rapid and targeted troubleshooting for maintenance or repair.

This helps to reduce costs for the bus operator by cutting downtime and maintenance time. Other advantages include standardised interfaces for your electronics, as well as a modular electronics compartment with standardised connectors by the driver's seat. All electronics systems are coded to avoid confusion. This means that you can connect your body electrics flexibly and without difficulty. At the same time you have a free hand in the location and installation of your electronic components.

Drivers like buses with light, direct steering characteristics. The OC 500 RF 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. The steering system requires no lubrication and is practically maintenance-free.

Safety plays a key role with the OC 500 RF. That's why the electropneumatic braking system (EBS) with disc brakes all round is included as standard. EBS builds up brake pressure so precisely and rapidly that shorter braking and stopping distances are possible compared with conventional pneumatic braking systems. The EBS also features electronic "guardian angels" such as ABS or optionally ASR. The standard-specification Brake Assist (BA) system also provides valuable help. It builds up maximum brake pressure in fractions of a second during emergency braking and ensures a shorter braking and stopping distance.

EBS makes braking as cost-effective as it is safe. Its electronic control functions extend the service life of the brake pads and ensure longer service intervals. Since the electronics systems routinely perform fully automatic system checks, the entire braking system requires virtually no maintenance between regular vehicle services – at the same time providing optimum functional reliability.

The buggy centre section connects the rear and front components for vehicle transportation. It protects the assemblies and ensures that vehicle transportation costs are kept as low as possible.

The buggy centre section is a robust frame that protects the cable harnesses and other components during transportation. It ensures that the OC 500 RF with its own drive system is manoeuvrable and steerable. The size of the frame is purposely kept small in order to minimise transportation costs.

Simple bolts, easy and quick to remove, hold the frame together. Quick-release couplings hold the wiring harnesses together and leave sufficient cable length for the body. They also help you to begin assembly without delay. The OC 500 RF saves you valuable time even before you start work on it.

The OC 500 RF driven axle has already scored top marks in the Travego. Highly robust and reliable, this axle also delivers exceptionally smooth operation.

Customer satisfaction also depends on the ride comfort provided by your buses. That’s why the driven axle of the OC 500 RF is designed to meet the highest standards. Guide arms mounted directly on the axle beam, for example, ensure optimum force transfer. In order to adapt your vehicles according to application, you have a choice of different transmission ratios. Your customers will also be pleased to hear that the driven axle does not require lubrication. Its operation is virtually maintenance-free – low maintenance costs are part of the package.

The steered trailing axle for the three-axle variant is the ideal complement, making slow manoeuvring and reversing significantly easier. Improved manoeuvrability also means less tyre wear. When travelling straight ahead at high speed, the third axle is hydraulically centred to improve driving stability. Conversely, the trailing axle can be briefly relieved of its load when moving off on a slippery road surface in order to increase traction: a practical starting aid.

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

Development of the current chassis generation focused on the new Euro VI drivetrain, implemented with the new BlueEFFICIENCY Power engines from Mercedes Benz. The power plants meet Euro VI standards in all their output variants, display convincing environmental compatibility and compelling economic efficiency. Despite the implementation of Euro VI, savings were achieved.

Whether equipped with the OM 936 or OM 470: the highest efficiency levels can be taken for granted with these engines. They all combine impressive driving performance with spirited response even at low engine speeds, and couple great running smoothness with low consumption and exemplary low environmental impact. Compliance with the stringent requirements is achieved through a combination of common-rail injection, requirements-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection for exhaust gas purification.

The transmission is specially designed for use in a touring coach. The power-assisted, manual 6-speed transmission (standard equipment) provides a high level of shift comfort. And if you want to make life even easier for the driver, the two-axle variant of the OC 500 RF is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission and integrated retarder. The manual transmission can also be combined with a retarder. It is a compact unit integrated in the transmission housing to save space and 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.

On the subject of cost reductions: the engine and transmission system reduce maintenance costs in a number of ways. Extended oil-change intervals (up to 60,000 km) contribute to this, as does the easy-access engine, maintenance-free transmission system and vertically installed oil filters.

The designers at Mercedes-Benz are always striving to find pioneering solutions. Take a look, for example, at the engine cooling system of the OC 500 RF. The sensor-controlled and extremely quiet-running fan drive with 3-speed electromagnetic coupling isn't just particularly reliable, it also saves fuel thanks to its high operational efficiency. Secure advancement for your customers: the OC 500 RF.

The intercooler can be swivelled out to facilitate cleaning of all cooling units.