The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo celebrated its premiere in 1994 under the name O 350 Tourismo. Back then, it was the first coach with the three-pointed star to bear a name – until that time, short designations such as O 303 or O 404 were the norm. Right from the beginning, Mercedes-Benz had a clear positioning in mind: The high-decker was to provide a business class-quality travel experience with high comfort and tasteful workmanship – all while remaining economical.

The O 350 Tourismo was characterised by its modern body with striking, arrow-shaped C-pillar as well as its excellent suspension with disc brakes all round. At the same time, the new touring coach broke conventions in its catagory: the two-axle vehicle was largely pre-assembled as a high-deck RHD and was only available with a length of 12 metres and complete equipment.

The O 350 Tourismo rapidly became a best-seller. Just ten years after its premiere, the Tourismo was already able to celebrate a special anniversary with its exclusively-equipped "Edition 10,000" special series. After more than 12,000 units were sold, the second-generation Tourismo came on the scene in autumn 2006, a shining new star among its fellow buses and coaches. Now the high-decker was available in three lengths ranging from 12.1 to 14.0 m as well as in two-axle and three-axle variants. The equipment was more variable and versatile, allowing it to be adapted to individual deployments and country-specific aspects. A major component of the safety equipment was the electronic stability system ESP. A right-hand drive version as well as automated and fully automatic transmissions were also added.

This new Tourismo also quickly became a sales hit: between when it was first launched in 1994 and 2013, more than 20,000 units were sold. In its anniversary year 2014, Mercedes-Benz presented new assistance and safety systems for the Tourismo with the Lane Assist as well as the emergency brake assist. Continuous further development not only helped the best-selling touring coach become a firm favourite for European operators, but also brought it great success in independent tests: in 2018, the Tourismo won the International Bus & Coach Competition (IBC). One year later, the classic coach celebrated its 25th anniversary with a delivery record: in summer 2019, the 30,000th Tourismo was handed over to a Polish customer.

In 2023, the popular two-and three-axle vehicle with its four models from 12.3 to 13.9 metres in length were equipped with new LED headlamps and optional MirrorCam, new infotainment systems, a torque converter automatic transmission and redesigned tail lights. Above all, however, the new assistance and safety systems, such as the new Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6), Sideguard Assist 2, which now also monitors the driver’s side, and Frontguard Assist to protect occupants in the front-most part of the vehicle. The perfect reason, then, to launch another Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Safety Coach in its anniversary year.

The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo has never been safer, more comfortable, more economical and more user-friendly than it is today. Across all generations of the high-decker, Mercedes-Benz has continued to further develop and refine the Tourismo concept. Even after 30 years, it remains a star among our touring coaches in the business segment.