Contacts: Phone: Nada Filipovic 0711-17-51091 Raimund Grammer 0711-17-53058 Udo Sürig 0711-17-51186 Press Information Date: 29 October 2012 Promise kept: demonstrably lower fuel consumption with Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro and Setra ComfortClass Promise kept and exceeded Euro VI makes economic sense Record Run Buses 2012: five buses, five days, 18,000 km Citaro Euro VI: 8.5 per cent better fuel economy in Record Run Setra ComfortClass S 515 HD: savings of 8.2 per cent in diesel fuel Three Citaro buses in round-the-clock line service in Wiesbaden Two Setra coaches completed 1800 km on motorways each day Citaro Euro VI: ancillary components optimised in particular Setra ComfortClass 500: outstanding aerodynamics Stuttgart/Wiesbaden The objective seemed impossible: a simultaneous reduction in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions while meeting Euro VI emission standards. In the Record Run Buses 2012 the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban regular-service bus and the new Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach demonstrated that the two seemingly conflicting goals can be
achieved at the same time. During the Record Run Buses 2012 the five buses covered a total distance of 18,000 kilometres under impartial supervision. The bottom line: the buses not only deliver on the promised fuel savings of four to six per cent (Citaro) and five to six per cent (Setra) but can even noticeably surpass these figures. Another insight gained from the Record Run Buses 2012: Euro VI can also pay off economically. Page 2 Record Run Buses 2012: five buses, five days, 18,000 km The five buses completed a demanding round-the-clock program between 22 and 26 October 2012. Loaded at 50 per cent of the payload with a realistic 3.2 t of ballast, the three Mercedes-Benz Citaros each covered a distance of about 1400 km in demanding urban traffic. The two high-deck touring coaches of the Setra ComfortClass 500 travelled about 9000 km each in long-distance trips on public roads. The urban traffic in Hesse s capital Wiesbaden (Citaro) and trips between Leipzig and Hamburg as well as trips in the quadrangle formed by the cities of Leipzig/Sangershausen, Schweinfurt, Hof and Bautzen (Setra) presented challenging routes for the five buses. Citaro Euro VI: 8.5 per cent better fuel economy in Record Run The Mercedes-Benz Citaro came to the starting line in three versions: The new Euro VI-certified model with the also new Mercedes-Benz OM 936 h engine and a displacement of 7.7 litres and a rated power output of 220 kw (299 hp) faced the directly comparable Euro V-certified predecessor models with OM 906 hla engine (6.4 litres displacement, rated power output 210 kw/286 hp) as well as with OM 457 hla engine
(220 kw/299 hp). Transmissions, final drive ratios and tyres were identical in each case. Page 3 With a fuel consumption of 38.7 l/100 km the new Euro VI-certified Citaro turned in an excellent performance in the Record Run Buses 2012 in light of the difficult route. It considerably outperformed its predecessors, which are known to be economical, by 3.6 l/100 km or 8.5 per cent. This means the Euro VI-certified Citaro not only delivers on the brand promise of fuel savings of three to five per cent but can even significantly surpass these figures. Assuming an annual mileage of 60,000 km it also relieves the burden on the environment by 5700 kg in CO 2 emissions at the same time. The fuel savings translate into a surprising economic equation: assuming an annual mileage of 60,000 km and current fuel prices of about 1.25 euros per litre (excluding VAT), the new Euro VI-certified Citaro saves about 2700 euros in costs for diesel fuel annually. The additional expense for the new Euro VI-certified Citaro is worthwhile not only because the vehicle pays for itself after about four years but also due to the predicted higher value retention. The conclusion to be drawn from the Record Run Buses 2012: the move to Euro VI not only significantly lowers the fuel consumption and emissions of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro; Euro VI also pays off economically. Setra ComfortClass 515 HD: savings of 8.2 per cent diesel fuel The results for the new Setra ComfortClass 500 are similar. Here a Euro VI-certified S 515 HD of the ComfortClass 500 with the new Mercedes-Benz OM 470 engine and a rated power output of 315 kw
(428 hp) rolled up to the starting line. The in-house opponent was the directly comparable S 415 GT-HD ComfortClass 400 predecessor model with the previous OM 457 LA engine and an identical power output of 315 kw (428 hp). This duel also featured identical gear and final drive ratios as well as tyres. Both buses were fully loaded to the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes. Page 4 Travelling a distance of 7000 km with an average fuel consumption of 21.0 litres/100 km the new ComfortClass S 515 HD also turned in an outstanding economic performance. It outperformed the fuelefficient comparison model by 1.9 l/100 km or 8.2 per cent. In light of the prediction of five to six per cent in fuel savings it must be noted for the Setra touring coach as well: promise kept and in the Record Run Buses 2012 even surpassed. Crunching the numbers also pays off in the case of the Setra ComfortClass 500: given the current fuel price of around 1.50 euros a litre and an annual mileage of 100,000 km it saves the operator about 2850 euros in fuel costs, at 180,000 km the savings amount to more than 5000 euros a year. The respective reductions in CO 2 emissions are around 5000 kg and 9000 kg a year. It goes to show: Euro VI is a worthwhile investment not only with regard to protecting the environment and conserving resources; Euro VI also makes economic sense. Five buses in five-day major efficiency test Start and finish line for the three Mercedes-Benz Citaros and the two Setras of the ComfortClass 500 was Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse. The run started at 1 p.m. on October 22.
With the exception of two refuelling stops each day, the five buses operated around the clock for five days straight. Page 5 Three Citaros in round-the-clock urban regular service in Wiesbaden For the urban bus comparison the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes- Benz Citaro competed as a standard bus against its predecessors with comparable power output. In each case power was transferred by the fully automatic ZF Ecolife torque converter transmission. Also identical was the final drive ratio of i=5.771. All Citaros operated in line service on the demanding route 17 in Wiesbaden. It traverses the city centre of Hesse s capital including the pedestrian zone and outlying areas. To ensure realistic operating conditions, the test buses followed the urban buses in regular service at a significant distance. They also maintained a significant distance between each other. The elevation change along Route 17, which is 18.6 km long, is over 400 metres. The buses completed 17 round trips each day and stopped at each bus stop where the buses were lowered using the kneeling function and the passenger doors were opened. Two Setras completed 1800 km on motorways each day In the touring coach comparison the Euro VI-certified Setra ComfortClass S 515 HD competed against its Euro V-certified Setra S 415 GT-HD ComfortClass 400 predecessor with identical engine power output. The two-axle high-deck touring coaches each measure a little over 12 metres in length. The ComfortClass 515 HD coaches were powered by the OM 470 engine with 315 kw
(428 hp). Its OM 457 predecessor in the ComfortClass 415 GT-HD had the identical power output. The touring coaches were equipped with the Mercedes GO 250-8 PowerShift (ComfortClass 500) respectively the Mercedes GO 240-8 PowerShift transmission. Their gear ratios were identical as was the final drive ratio of i=3.583 of both high-deck coaches. Page 6 The touring coaches also used Wiesbaden as the starting point, in this case for a trip to Leipzig. From there they made an 8881-km daytime loop from Leipzig via Erfurt, Schweinfurt, Bayreuth and Dresden to Bautzen and back. At night the two Setras drove a 922- km route from Leipzig via Potsdam to Hamburg and back. The touring coaches travelled a distance of just over 1800 km a day. Some 90 per cent of the distance was driven on motorways, the remaining ten per cent on main and country roads. The vehicles travelled at the legal speed limit of 100 km/h or 80 km/h whenever the traffic situation permitted such speeds. Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored In addition to the transmissions and the final drive ratios, the loads as well as the tyre brand and tread depth were also identical within each respective model series. All buses had been broken in at the start of the Record Run Buses 2012 with around 10,000 km on the odometer. The Record Buses 2012 were driven by skilled test drivers as well by trainers from Omniplus Ecotraining. Each shift, a crew of two drivers manned each of the five buses. These crews changed buses every day. The buses were operated in two shifts around the clock. In addition, the drivers for the Record Run Buses 2012 on route 17 in Wiesbaden received briefings from driving instructors of the transport authority.
The test vehicles and their operations were monitored by Dekra, an independent specialist automotive organisation. The engineers sealed all components relevant to fuel consumption as well as the fuel tanks, and monitored all refuelling stops. In addition, the load was checked and sealed. All refuelling stops were at the same filling stations in Wiesbaden or Leipzig and even at the same pumps. Even the position of the vehicles at each pump was defined. Page 7 The buses were also equipped with instruments for measuring fuel consumption. Any movement of the five buses in the Record Run Buses 2012 could be monitored with the help of the FleetBoard telematics system. Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 18,000 km on 26 October 2012 All five buses crossed the finish line of the Record Run Buses 2012 in Wiesbaden at 2:00 p.m. on 26 October 2012. By that time the touring coaches each had covered a distance of some 7000 km, the urban regular-service buses each just shy of 1400 km. Citaro and ComfortClass 500: maximum efficiency The engineers from Daimler Buses employed all available means to achieve maximum efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and the Setra ComfortClass 500. A multitude of measures counteract the inevitable added weight of the additional or larger components that the move from Euro V to Euro VI entails. For this reason the new ComfortClass 500 actually weighs less than the predecessor model. In spite of this, both buses were fully loaded with 18 tonnes.
The centrepieces of the drive system are the new BlueEfficiency Power engines. Both the in-line six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 936 engine in the Citaro and the OM 470 engine in the Setra ComfortClass 500 are characterised by robustness, longevity and maximum cost-efficiency with regard to fuel, motor oil and AdBlue consumption as well as by long maintenance intervals. A distinctive trait of the engines is a high torque at very low engine speeds and an excellent throttle response. Both qualities are part of the prerequisites for successfully taking the place of the predecessor engines that to some extent had significantly more displacement the keyword in this context is downsizing. Page 8 In addition to the drive system the development engineers carefully examined the ancillary components with an eye on fuel economy and longevity, for the Mercedes-Benz Citaro as well as for the Setra ComfortClass 500. Alternators, battery management, radiator fan and air compressor these and other components play a major role in fuel consumption and in both model series were optimised down to the last detail. Citaro Euro VI: ancillary components specifically optimised Two distinctive features on the Euro VI-certified Citaro deserve special mention, both of which are major factors in an urban regularservice bus. A lowered entrance height reduces the amount of air needed for kneeling and consequently the amount of energy required. The second point concerns the energy management: free (without diesel injection) electricity generated in overrun mode is stored in dual-layer capacitors (supercaps) and is available the next time for acceleration. This relieves the burden on the alternators and consequently reduces fuel consumption.
Setra ComfortClass 500: outstanding aerodynamics Page 9 Outstanding aerodynamic properties are essential for the Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach. From the rounded front with clipless blade wipers and optimised exterior mirrors to smooth flanks and the tapered rear with its separation edge, the aerodynamic efficiency of the ComfortClass 500 sets new touring coach benchmarks. The result is an outstanding drag coefficient of just 0.33. The drag is also reduced by a trick that is unmatched in the industry: at speeds of 95 km/h and above the bus is lowered by 20 mm. Prediction: reduction in fuel consumption between four and six per cent The development engineers of Daimler Buses expected these measures to add up to a reduction in fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro by four to six per cent as the result of the move from Euro V to Euro VI emission standards. For the switch from the Setra ComfortClass 400 to the new ComfortClass 500 the engineers expected a fuel economy advantage of five to six per cent for the new model. Under the real-life conditions encountered during the Record Run Buses 2012, these predictions were not only substantiated; the results actually significantly exceeded the predicted values. Photos of the Record Run Buses 2012 including pictures of the buses crossing the finish line with the image numbers 12C1225_214, 12C1225_184, and 12C1225_132 as well as additional information from Mercedes-Benz and Setra are available on the internet at: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com
About Daimler Daimler AG is one of the world s most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services. The company s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2011, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 271,000 people; revenue totalled 106.5 billion and EBIT amounted to 8.8 billion. Page 10
Contacts: Tel. no.: Karin Giangrande +49 711 179 1114 Christoph Ludewig +49 711 179 1105 Press Release Date: October 2012 Managing buses and coaches efficiently with FleetBoard Potential fuel cost savings of up to ten percent All vehicles visible on digital road map Automated recording and archiving of tachograph data Evaluation of operational data and optimal maintenance scheduling Wiesbaden At Record Run Buses 2012, FleetBoard presented its modular range of online services designed specifically for buses and coaches and assisted by telematics. Bus fleet operators in ruralservice bus, touring coach and urban bus transport can use the tried-and-tested telematics solutions to manage their vehicles more economically. Equipping fully equipped buses from Mercedes-Benz and Setra with FleetBoard ex works or by retrofitting buses from other manufacturers opens up new possibilities for increasing fleet efficiency. Trip and vehicle data are collected by means of a standardised FMS interface on the bus and transmitted to a central server by GPRS via the FleetBoard TiiRec installed in the vehicle.
Registered users have secure access to the bus client and all its data and evaluations via the internet. Page 2 Fuel consumption and wear and tear can be reduced by up to ten percent by implementing an economical driving style even in mixed fleets. Touring coach company Meurer Reisen did not take long to experience this. We trained our drivers one-by-one on the basis of the driving analysis and were able to reduce fuel consumption by five percent in the first few months, reports Managing Director Sascha Meurer. The driving analysis interprets data relating to both driver and vehicle based on a rating of the driving style and the application severity. The underlying speeds, engine speeds, heavy braking events and other information form an objective basis for conclusions regarding how the bus or coach is handled. Special configurations for various vehicle categories (touring coach, rural-service bus and urban bus) are also taken into account. Training measures supported by FleetBoard not only provide an objectively measurable contribution to reductions in operating costs, but also help maintain handling safety. Using a digital road map, bus operators can track the current location of their vehicles or a detailed overview of a vehicle s route at all times, by either street-level view, satellite view or a combination of the two. With the route-tracking system, vehicle positions are saved every 30 seconds and sent to headquarters with a current location update after ten minutes. Significant journey events and warning and status reports are also shown. The trip record has proved to be a useful tool for passenger satisfaction in regular-service bus operation, as journeys and breaks are documented. This provides a reliable record of when and where a bus stops or travels and the status of doors and ramps. At any time, it is possible to verify whether a bus is at the stop and ready for boarding or whether there is an extended ramp for persons with reduced mobility. Quick and easy communication with the driver is also a simple matter, as the driver can send standardised messages to headquarters using defined communication buttons with
FleetBoard TiiRec. In turn, the operator can send messages to the display on the dashboard of the bus or coach, which is useful in the event of short-notice changes to the planned journey. Page 3 The driver card download required by law can take place anywhere and at any time with the aid of FleetBoard. Remote readout and automatic transfer of mass storage data from the digital tachograph are also possible. Rest times and remaining time at the wheel are useful for planning working hours and driver replacement in particular. Previously, replacing drivers involved lots of telephone calls and spending time coordinating people. Now, I look at the system to find out how much time my drivers have left at the wheel. Accordingly, I use FleetBoard to send messages to vehicles informing the drivers of who is to be replaced and where, explains Sascha Meurer. All relevant data are automatically conveyed to the payroll department. Forthcoming maintenance and time-sensitive vehicle checks can be planned efficiently with FleetBoard, while it can also display important operational data, such as odometer readings or fuel levels. Selected warning messages from vehicles enable them to undergo targeted repairs quickly. Other vehicle reports make it possible to assess the use of the retarder or the length of time that the auxiliary heating or air-conditioning system spends running. Conclusions can thereby be drawn as to the status of the vehicle and the level of economic efficiency or comfort. When they are on the road, bus and coach operators benefit from the FleetBoard app for buses. The new application for the iphone or ipad is available in the App Store free of charge. According to Sascha Meurer, If a driver has driven a bus that I need the next morning for another tour group, I can sit at home and use the app to check whether there is enough fuel in the tank.
Photo 12A1189: Drive safely and you re sure to save: at Meurer Reisen, 5 percent less fuel is used as a result of training measures based on the driving analysis. Page 4 Photo 12A1190: Using FleetBoard TiiRec installed on the bus, all driver card and tachograph downloads can be carried out on the road. FleetBoard photos numbered 12A1189 and 12A1190 are available online, alongside other information from FleetBoard and Daimler, at: www.media.daimler.com, www.daimler.com and www.fleetboard.com About FleetBoard Daimler FleetBoard GmbH is one of Europe s market leaders in telematics for commercial vehicles and received the 2012 Growth Leadership Award from Frost & Sullivan. Devices and services are aimed at fleet managers, dispatchers and drivers of truck, bus and van fleets of all brands and in all sectors. FleetBoard has been established for years as the fleet management system for greater economic efficiency and intelligent logistical processes. Easy-to-use technology assists drivers in their day-to-day work. The wholly owned Daimler subsidiary, based in Stuttgart, is a DEKRA-audited and certified company in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. With the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, FleetBoard was one of the first providers on the market to offer telematics as standard in trucks throughout Europe.
Presseinformation DEKRA monitoring Daimler bus efficiency test Global Partner for Safety, Quality and Environmental Protection DEKRA e.v. Presse & Information Handwerkstraße 15 D-70565 Stuttgart www.dekra.de/presse The independent expert organisation DEKRA is part of the bus efficiency test conducted by Daimler Buses. The test vehicles and their operations will be monitored by DEKRA engineers. Among other things, the fuel tanks and all components relevant to fuel consumption will be sealed; all refuelling stops will be monitored. DEKRA SE is one of the world s leading expert organisations. The company currently runs activities in more than 50 countries. About 28,000 employees are committed to ensuring long-term safety, quality and environmental protection. The DEKRA Business Units Automotive, Industrial and Personnel provide professional and innovative services in the fields of vehicle testing, expert appraisals, international claims settlement, consulting, industrial testing, product testing, certification, environmental protection, qualification as well as temporary work. In 2011 DEKRA generated sales totalling more than 2 billion euros. Date Contact Phone Fax E-mail Wiesbaden / Stuttgart, 22 October 2012 / No. 140 A Wolfgang Sigloch +49 711 78 61 23 86 +49 711 78 61 27 00 wolfgang.sigloch@dekra.com Page 1
Contacts: Phone: Nada Filipovic 0711-17-51091 Raimund Grammer 0711-17-53058 Udo Sürig 0711-17-51186 Press Information Date: 17 October 2012 Record Run Buses 2012: bus efficiency test over 20,000 km for the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes- Benz Citaro and Setra ComfortClass 500 Five buses in operation around the clock for five days straight Three Citaro buses in line service in Wiesbaden Two Setra coaches will complete 1800 km on motorways each day Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 20,000 km on 26 October 2012 Stuttgart/Wiesbaden Euro VI emission standards do not have to mean increased fuel consumption. To that end Mercedes-Benz and Setra employ a multitude of countermeasures. As a result of these measures, the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban regular-service bus and the new Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach series actually use measurably less fuel than their predecessor models. Now they must prove that fact in the Record Run Buses 2012: between 22 and 26 October 2012 three Citaro buses and two Setra ComfortClass touring coaches will cover a
combined distance of some 20,000 kilometres during comparative drives under impartial supervision. Page 2 Five buses to operate around the clock for five days straight Start and finish line for the three Mercedes-Benz Citaros and the two Setras of the ComfortClass is Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse, at around noon on 22 October 2012. With the exception of two refuelling stops each day, the five buses will operate around the clock for five days straight. Three Citaros to run in urban regular service in Wiesbaden For the urban bus comparison the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes- Benz Citaro will compete as a standard bus with OM 936 h engine and 220 kw (299 hp) against its predecessor. The Euro V Citaro starts in two versions: powered by the OM 906 hla engine and 210 kw (286 hp) of power and the OM 457 hla engine (220 kw/299 hp). All Citaros will operate in regular service on the demanding route 17 in Wiesbaden however, loaded with ballast in place of passengers. The buses will complete about 20 round trips of the 18.6-km route daily; the buses will stop at each bus stop. Two Setras to complete 1800 km on motorways each day In the touring coach comparison the Euro VI-certified Setra ComfortClass S 515 HD will compete against its Setra ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD predecessor. The two-axle high-deck touring coaches each measure a little over 12 metres in length. The ComfortClass S 515 HD is powered by the OM 470 engine with 315 kw (428 hp). Its OM 457 LA predecessor in the ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD has the identical power output. The touring coaches will use Wiesbaden as the starting point for a trip to Leipzig. From there they will make a loop via Erfurt, Schweinfurt, Bayreuth, Dresden to Bautzen and back during daytime. At night they will drive a route that leads from Leipzig via
Potsdam to Hamburg and back. The touring coaches will each cover a distance of some 1800 km in 24 hours. Page 3 Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored Loads, transmissions, final drive ratios as well as tyre brand and tread depth are identical within the respective model series. All buses will have been broken in at the start of the Record Run Buses 2012 with around 10,000 km on the odometer. The buses will be driven by skilled test drivers as well by trainers from Omniplus Ecotraining. The test vehicles and their operations will be monitored by Dekra, an independent specialist automotive organisation. All components relevant to fuel consumption as well as the fuel tanks will be sealed; all refuelling stops will be monitored. The buses are equipped with instruments for measuring fuel consumption. Any movements can be monitored with the help of the FleetBoard telematics system. Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 20,000 km on 26 October 2012 All five buses will cross the finish line of the Record Run Buses 2012 in Wiesbaden around midday on 26 October 2012. By that time the touring coaches will each have covered a distance of some 9000 km, the urban regular-service buses each just shy of 1500 km. All recorded data will be analysed over the weekend that follows and the eagerly awaited results will be announced at a press conference on 29 October 2012. A picture of the Record Run Buses 2012 vehicle fleet with the ID number 12C1204_001 as well as more information from Mercedes- Benz and Setra is available on the internet at: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com
About Daimler Page 4 Daimler AG is one of the world s most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services. The company s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2011, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 271,000 people; revenue totalled 106.5 billion and EBIT amounted to 8.8 billion.
Contacts: Phone: Nada Filipovic 0711-17-51091 Raimund Grammer 0711-17-53058 Udo Sürig 0711-17-51186 Press Information Date: 22 October 2012 Record Run Buses 2012 started today: unique efficiency test for Euro VI-certified Mercedes-Benz Citaro and Setra ComfortClass 500 The record run is on: five buses in five-day efficiency test Three Citaro buses in line service in Wiesbaden Two Setra coaches will complete 1800 km on motorways each day Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 20,000 km on 26 October 2012 Citaro Euro VI: ancillary components optimised in particular Setra ComfortClass 500: outstanding aerodynamics Prediction: reduction in fuel consumption between four and six per cent Stuttgart/Wiesbaden The green flag has dropped for the Record Run Buses 2012: At 2 p.m. in Wiesbaden today, Martin Zeilinger, head of product engineering testing drive technology and product quality Daimler Buses, sent off five Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses on an unprecedented efficiency test. The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban regular-service bus and the new Setra ComfortClass 500 high-
deck touring coach are to prove that buses meeting Euro VI emission standards can consume less fuel than their predecessor models. Between 22 and 26 October 2012 three Citaros and two Setra ComfortClass coaches will cover a distance of some 20,000 kilometres in comparative drives under impartial supervision. Page 2 Five buses in five-day major efficiency test Start and finish line for the three Mercedes-Benz Citaros and the two Setras of the ComfortClass 500 is Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse. With the exception of two refuelling stops each day, the five buses will operate around the clock for five days straight. Three Citaros to run in urban regular service in Wiesbaden For the urban bus comparison the new Euro VI-certified Mercedes- Benz Citaro will compete as a standard bus with OM 936 h engine and 220 kw (299 hp) against its predecessor. The Euro V Citaro starts in two versions: powered by the OM 906 hla engine and 210 kw (286 hp) of power and the OM 457 hla engine (220 kw/299 hp). In each case power is transferred by the fully automatic ZF Ecolife torque converter transmission. Also identical is the final drive ratio of i=5.771. All Citaros will operate in line service on the demanding route 17 in Wiesbaden. It traverses the city centre of Hesse s capital including the pedestrian zone and outlying areas. However, the test vehicles are loaded with ballast in place of passengers. To ensure realistic operating conditions, each of the buses will follow behind an urban bus of the Wiesbaden transport authorities in regular service. To prevent the three test buses from influencing one another they will stop several minutes apart. Route 17 is 18.6 km long with a 400-m change in elevation. The buses will complete about 20 round trips each day. The buses will stop at each bus stop
where the buses will be lowered using the kneeling function and the passenger doors will be opened. Page 3 Two Setras will complete 1800 km on motorways each day In the touring coach comparison the Euro VI-certified Setra ComfortClass S 515 HD will compete against its Setra ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD predecessor. The two-axle high-deck touring coaches each measure a little over 12 metres in length. The ComfortClass S 515 HD is powered by the OM 470 engine with 315 kw (428 hp). Its OM 457 LA predecessor in the ComfortClass S 415 GT-HD has the identical power output. The touring coaches are equipped with the Mercedes GO 250-8 PowerShift (ComfortClass 500) respectively the Mercedes GO 240-8 PowerShift transmission. Their gear ratios are identical as is the final drive ratio of i=3.583 of both high-deck coaches. The touring coaches also use Wiesbaden as the starting point, in this case for a trip to Leipzig. From there they will make a 897-km daytime loop on the A 38, A 71, A 70, A 9, A 72, A 4 and A 14 motorways from Leipzig via Erfurt, Schweinfurt, Bayreuth, Dresden to Bautzen and back. At night the two Setras will drive a 929-km route that leads from Leipzig via Potsdam to Hamburg and back on the A 9, A 10 and A 24 motorways. In this way the touring coaches will cover a distance of almost 1800 km a day. Some 90 per cent of the distance will be driven on motorways, the remaining ten per cent on main and country roads. The legal speed limit of 100 km/h or 80 km/h will be observed whenever possible. Identical conditions, technology and refuelling stops monitored In addition to the transmissions and the final drive ratios, the loads as well as the tyre brand and tread depth are also identical within each respective model series. The three Mercedes-Benz Citaros are loaded at 50 per cent of capacity with exactly 3.5 tonnes of ballast.
The touring coaches of the Setra ComfortClass are designed for a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes. Page 4 All buses will have been broken in at the start of the Record Run Buses 2012 with around 10,000 km on the odometer. The buses will be driven by skilled test drivers as well by trainers from Omniplus Ecotraining. A crew of two drivers mans each of the buses. The buses will be operated in three shifts around the clock. In addition, the drivers for the Record Run Buses 2012 on route 17 in Wiesbaden have received briefings from driving instructors of the transport authority. The test vehicles and their operations will be monitored by Dekra, an independent specialist automotive organisation. All components relevant to fuel consumption as well as the fuel tanks will be sealed; all refuelling stops will be monitored. All refuelling stops will be at the same filling stations in Wiesbaden or Leipzig and even at the same pumps. Even the position of the vehicles at each pump is defined. Furthermore, the tyre pressure is checked at each refuelling stop. The buses are also equipped with instruments for measuring fuel consumption. Any movement of the five buses in the Record Run Buses 2012 can be monitored with the help of the FleetBoard telematics system. Arrival at the finish line in Wiesbaden after 20,000 km on 26 October 2012 All five buses will cross the finish line of the Record Run Buses 2012 in Wiesbaden around midday on 26 October 2012. By that time the touring coaches will each have covered a distance of some 9000 km, the urban regular-service buses each just shy of 1500 km. All recorded data will be analysed over the weekend that follows and the eagerly awaited results will be announced at a press conference on 29 October 2012.
Citaro and ComfortClass 500: maximum efficiency Page 5 The engineers from Daimler Buses employed all available means to achieve maximum efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro and the Setra ComfortClass 500. A multitude of measures counteract the inevitable added weight of the additional or larger components that the move from Euro V to Euro VI entails. For this reason the new ComfortClass 500 actually weighs less than the predecessor model. The centrepieces of the drive system are the new BlueEfficiency Power engines. Both the in-line six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 936 h engine in the Citaro as a standard bus and the OM 470 engine in the Setra ComfortClass 500 are characterised by robustness, longevity and maximum cost-efficiency with regard to fuel, motor oil and AdBlue consumption, as well as by long maintenance intervals. A typical trait of the engines is a high torque at very low engine speeds and an excellent throttle response. Both qualities are part of the prerequisites for successfully taking the place of the predecessor engines that to some extent had significantly more displacement the keyword in this context is downsizing. In addition to the drive system the development engineers carefully examined the ancillary components with an eye on fuel economy and longevity, for the Mercedes-Benz Citaro as well as for the Setra ComfortClass 500. Alternators, battery management, radiator fan and air compressor these and other components play a major role in fuel consumption and in both model series were optimised down to the last detail. Citaro Euro VI: ancillary components optimised in particular Two distinctive features on the Euro VI-certified Citaro deserve special mention, both of which are major factors in an urban regularservice bus. A lowered entrance height reduces the amount of air needed for kneeling and consequently the amount of energy required. The second point concerns the energy management: free
electricity generated in overrun mode is stored in dual-layer capacitors (supercaps) and is available the next time for acceleration. This relieves the burden on the alternators and consequently reduces fuel consumption. Page 6 Setra ComfortClass 500: outstanding aerodynamics Outstanding aerodynamic properties are essential for the Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach. From the rounded front with Aquablade clipless wipers and optimised exterior mirrors to smooth flanks and the tapered rear with its separation edge, the aerodynamic efficiency of the ComfortClass 500 sets new touring coach benchmarks. The result is an outstanding drag coefficient of just 0.33. The drag is also reduced by a trick that is unmatched in the industry: at speeds of 95 km/h and above the bus is lowered by 20 mm. Prediction: reduction in fuel consumption between four and six per cent The development engineers of Daimler Buses expect these measures to add up to a reduction in fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro by four to five per cent as the result of the move from Euro V to Euro VI emission standards. For the switch from the Setra ComfortClass 400 to the new ComfortClass 500 the engineers expect a fuel economy advantage for the new model of five to six per cent. In both cases the improved fuel economy goes hand in hand with a significant reduction in AdBlue consumption. These predictions must now be substantiated under real-life conditions during the Record Run Buses 2012. A photo of the start of the Record Run Buses 2012 in Wiesbaden with the ID number 12A1183 as well as additional information from Mercedes-Benz and Setra are available on the internet at: www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com
About Daimler Page 7 Daimler AG is one of the world s most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world s biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides financing, leasing, fleet management, insurance and innovative mobility services. The company s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility today: The Group s focus is on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior automobiles that appeal to and fascinate its customers. For many years now, Daimler has been investing continually in the development of alternative drive systems with the goal of making emission-free driving possible in the long term. So in addition to vehicles with hybrid drive, Daimler now has the broadest range of locally emission-free electric vehicles powered by batteries and fuel cells. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world s most valuable premium automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2011, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 271,000 people; revenue totalled 106.5 billion and EBIT amounted to 8.8 billion.