Mannheim/Weilburg – Medenbach Traffic GmbH today received the first ten of 57 Mercedes‑Benz scheduled-service hybrid-drive buses at their Mannheim bus plant. The total order consists of 39 Citaro hybrid intercity buses, 13 Citaro hybrid articulated buses and five Citaro hybrid buses in the short Citaro K version. Timo Medenbach, Managing Director of Medenbach Traffic GmbH, was presented with a symbolic key by Sinisa Ristic, Sales Manager at Mercedes‑Benz Buses.

The 57 Citaro hybrid buses will start their first regular service in mid-December this year and will be significantly more economical than their purely diesel-powered counterparts. The mild hybrid drive has a 14 kW electric motor at its core. It supports the combustion engine when pulling away, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 8.5%. It generates the required electric energy itself when coasting or braking. When pulling away, the electric motor provides a generous 220 Nm of torque. The vehicles' hybrid system also includes electrohydraulic intelligent eco steering technology as standard. This steering system operates as required and is only activated when the driver performs steering movements. This saves additional fuel.

All Mercedes‑Benz buses come with a safety package that meets the GSR (General Safety Regulation) guidelines. The package includes, for example, a reversing camera and numerous assistance systems, such as ATAS (Attention Assist), Traffic Sign Assist and Sideguard Assist 2, which also monitors the driver’s side of the vehicle in the latest version. The safety package is rounded off by a video surveillance system for the interior, including the entrance and door areas.

Passengers can relax in the comfortable interior. The interior destination displays are fitted with 18.5‑inch TFT monitors, while Medenbach has chosen LED technology for the outer destination displays for better legibility. In addition, all new Citaro hybrid buses are equipped with comfortable Inter Star Eco (ISE) intercity seating. This Mercedes‑Benz seat variant is specially designed to offer maximum comfort on long journeys. The ergonomically shaped cushions make the seats a pleasure to sit on. Two air-conditioning systems that can be controlled separately keep temperatures pleasant both in the passenger compartment and in the driver’s workplace.