25 years of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro: Stops along the route of Daimler Buses’ best-selling city bus

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·Pioneering #design: City #bus with a friendly face

·Advanced drives: From low-emission diesel engine to electric drives

·A model cockpit: Exemplary workplace for each and every generation

·Welcoming passenger compartment: A city #bus can be this functional and inviting

·Tailored program: Citaro is a #bus for all occasions

·Outstanding safety: From disk brakes to turning assistants

·International success: Used around the globe

·Numerous awards: #bus of the Year multiple times

Stuttgart - The bestseller is celebrating its silver anniversary:
The Mercedes‑Benz Citaro has shaped the city #bus scene like no other #bus. Whether the first or second generation, the classic solo #bus, articulated #bus or large-capacity CapaCity #bus, with a conventional drive or today in the guise of the all-electric eCitaro– the continuously revamped, low-floor Citaro #bus has always been and continues to be the role model for its class in environmental friendliness, safety, comfort and ease of use. A success story with more than 60,000 Citaro and eCitaros over 25 years, and with more and more every day. The 1997 world premiere at the UITP Congress in Stuttgart caused a sensation: Rarely has a new scheduled-service #bus been under as much spotlight as was the prototype at the World Congress of Public Transport Companies. The scheduled-service city and intercity #bus heralded a new era. Since then, it has been a byword for safety, comfort and environmental compatibility– now, as the eCitaro, it is accelerating the transformation to e-mobility in cities.

Pioneering #design: The city #bus with a friendly face

In 1997, developers and designers package the innovative technology into a beautifully-shaped and practically-designed structure. Consistent styling through the typical brand headlights with white indicator lenses, lowered windscreen with framing with curved and contrasting A0 pillars and the integrated destination display all the way to the rear window. The large end-to-end side windows extend up to the roof profile. In short: A scheduled-service #bus forming a uniform and integrated whole; in terms of visuals it is already the benchmark in its class.

The newly introduced low-entry Citaro LE anticipates numerous changes in 2005, which are incorporated into the series of all Citaro models in Spring 2006. It has an eye-catching face with the suggestion of the classic radiator mask based on the tradition of scheduled-service buses with a star. The rotated turn signal lenses help create a friendly appearance. Eye-catching in addition to other changes: The V-shaped rear window protrudes into the roof.

The four-axle Mercedes-Benz CapaCity articulated #bus, introduced in 2005, also plays a special role in terms of appearance. It is derived directly from the Citaro. Its #design can either be based on the Citaro or bear an individually designed 'metro' #design face.

After more than 32,000 units are produced, the second generation of the Citaro is launched in 2011. Maintaining the typical A0 pillars, the #bus welcomes passengers with a friendly smile. Large almond-shaped headlights and the more rounded stem adopts the sternness of the Citaro typical of scheduled-service buses up to now.

Thanks to the all-electric eCitaro, the wheels keep on turning in 2018. Its exceptional properties match its equally extraordinary #design, which is based on the Future #bus study presented two years prior. The central point of the face is the large Mercedes star with decorative elements to the left and right. Both are embedded in the high-gloss black front panel as well as single LED headlamps. The elegantly curved windscreen comes from the intercity #bus Citaro Ü. At the front in the middle, the roof has an island that appears to almost float. The roof attachments of the eCitaro are hidden behind an elegant elevation. Reference is also made to the island at the rear. Like its siblings, the elegant eCitaro is very practical: It adopts the same structure as the current Citaro.

Advanced drive: From low-emission diesel engine to electric drives

With its environmentally friendly and economical drive, the Citaro has always been up to date since birth – usually ahead of its time. At the 1997 world premiere, a diesel engine in compliance with Euro II emission standard is installed at the rear. Euro III follows in 2001, and the Citaro already meets the Euro IV emission standard in 2004 with the then new SCR technology– a milestone on the way to low-emission combustion engines. Euro V follows in 2006, as does the introduction of diesel engines with particulate filters. In 2012, the Citaro is once again ahead of its time with the introduction of diesel engines complying with the Euro VI emission standards. Over the following years, developments such as the Citaro hybrid, the recuperation module or the electrohydraulic steering intelligent eco steering further reduce fuel consumption and thus emissions.

After intensive testing of various alternative drives in practice, the eCitaro heralds the transformation to electromobility in 2018. It sets the standard thanks to its innovative, continuously enhanced battery technology and thermal management. In the meantime, it has taken the lead in the registration statistics for electric city buses in Germany. The success story continues: Announced for release in the near future are an eCitaro with the latest NMC3 battery generation and eCitaro with fuel cell as range extender– this means that the electric city #bus can seamlessly replace combustion engines.

Daimler Buses facilitates the transition to electromobility with tailor-made service packages and training courses through the Omniplus service brand as well as the installation of complete E-total systems. As a general contractor, #daimlerbuses can develop and supply turnkey complete E-systems on request, including all infrastructure: eCitaro, replanning and conversion of the depot, equipping with charging stations, securing the power supply and charging management. As a result, and despite its abundant complexity, electromobility with city buses is increasingly becoming a plug-and-play solution and is simplifying the transformation to locally emission-free mobility.

A model cockpit: Exemplary workplace in every generation

Back to the 1997 launch of the Citaro. A new, ergonomically designed cockpit celebrates its premiere in 1997, together with the city #bus.  Outstanding: The steering wheel can be adjusted together with the instrument panel and adapts perfectly to the driver’s height. The driver benefits from separate climate control in the cockpit. The driver’s door is optionally available with an integrated cash register.

The cockpit of the Citaro from the second generation of 2011 proves that even good things still offer room for improvement. The door to the driver’s workplace is now hinged at the rear and is also available as a driver’s safety door with different glazing types. Thanks to the raised seat position, the driver is at eye level with passengers entering the vehicle. More knee space, informative color display, a multi-function steering wheel, more and larger storage areas– the Citaro Cockpit is top-notch.

Further information in the press release to download