• Spillmann designs four unique Citaro hybrid buses
• Breathtaking exterior and interior design with attention to detail
• Safety features with Side Guard Assist and 360-degree camera system

Bietigheim-Bissingen / Mannheim/Leinfelden-Echterdingen – It is as if Spillmann, the bus operator based in Bietigheim, is a creative workshop when it comes to designing extraordinary buses. With the delivery of four Citaro hybrid themed vehicles on December 12, 2023, it has now become clear how successful the “Spillmann” concept is. The bus operator has designed over 30 different themed vehicles based on the Citaro, and the four new Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrids are impressive as well with their extraordinary attention to detail, both inside and out. Rüdiger Kappel, Head of Public Transport Sales at Daimler Buses Germany, handed over the four exceptional vehicles to Bülent Menekse, Managing Director of Spillmann Bus Operations.

Concept transition to the outside

The four themed vehicles are named BeachBUS, Spillmann’s Diner, Routemaster and SpaceBus. Unlike most previous Spillmann creations, the design ideas are now consistently incorporated into the exterior design. For example, the beach bus has a surfboard decal at the rear, the diner bus features a black and white check pattern reminiscent of timeless, typical American restaurants and the space bus boasts a floating astronaut. In addition to the rear entry with decals, the creative department has also given the typical “London” front design to the Citaro Routemaster bus, completely painted in red, a tribute to the legendary London double-decker buses. The side view even gives the impression that the bus has an upper deck, which once made the vehicles so famous in London.

Offering passengers something new

Spillmann Managing Director Bülent Menekse is undoubtedly the creative mind. With each of his Citaro creations, he tries to surprise passengers, which he also succeeds in doing with the new version. In addition to the colorful images of the side wall trims, the central ceilings of the Beach and Space bus are also printed with motifs. The floor coverings also consistently take up the theme. The Beach bus comes with a new, turquoise-blue floor covering that looks like a swimming pool, while the Diner bus features the typical 1950s diamond pattern in black and white. The illusion of sitting in a diner or just dipping your feet in a pool is perfect.

Modern drive concept, proven modular system

In addition to all the visible highlights, the Citaros also score points beyond the exterior design. All four Mercedes-Benz Citaros, for example, have a powerful hybrid module. The modern diesel engine is supported by a 14 kW electric motor when moving off. The Citaro generates the necessary electrical energy itself when coasting or braking. This reduces fuel consumption by up to 8.5 percent depending on use and topography. In addition, the new Mercedes-Benz city buses have the Side Guard Assist assistance system, a radar-based Sideguard Assist and a 360-degree camera system. Four cameras provide an all-round view of the entire vehicle surroundings. This means that pedestrians, cyclists and obstacles can also be identified in areas that were previously not visible to the driver.