Safety Coach Mercedes Benz Tourismo 15 RHD - Test vehicle in detail

• All new: Active Brake Assist 6, Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist
• Brand-typical design, striking Yellowstone paint finish
• Premium Comfort Plus cockpit, elegant and user-friendly
• Contemporary passenger compartment design with comfortable Luxline seats
• Entertainment electronics with high-level networking
• Sophisticated air conditioning and heating ensure comfortable temperatures
• Top-of-the range: engine, transmission and axle all bear the Mercedes star
• PPC and EDF support the driver and minimise consumption
• Innovative services prevent downtimes and reduce costs

Even safer, more comfortable, highly economical and innovative – the fully upgraded Mercedes‑Benz Tourismo is the benchmark in its high-decker touring coach category. This is demonstrated by the attractive Safety Coach test vehicle.

All new: Active Brake Assist 6, Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist

Just the list of the safety and assistance systems installed in the test bus already makes it clear that the Safety Coach lives up to its name. The new, even more powerful Active Brake Assist 6 emergency braking assistant is also on board, as are Sideguard Assist 2, the completely new Frontguard Assist and the new Traffic Sign Assist, which warns the driver of excessive speed. The systems also include Lane Assist (SPA), Attention Assist (AtAs), Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ART) with additional stop-and-go function, Brake Assist (BA), Continuous Braking Limiter (DBL), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), rain/light sensor and the 360° camera system. Most of the new and advanced assistance systems also form part of the standard equipment for all newly registered touring coaches of the Mercedes‑Benz brand.

Brand-typical design, striking Yellowstone paint finish

The two-axle touring coach with a length of around 12.30 metres boasts new, powerful LED headlamps and new tail lamps. The Yellowstone paintwork is both striking and elegant. The test vehicle has special Safety Coach decor. The anthracite arrow decor pointing in the direction of travel, combined with the distinctive arrow highlighted in cardinal red at the height of the rear axle, highlights the dynamic lines of the body and at the same time impressively expresses the safety of the Safety Coach Tourismo when travelling. The front bumper, front panel and attachments are also painted yellow. The same applies to the mirror caps and the side design trims. Alloy wheels underscore the elegant appearance. They also reduce the already low weight of the two-axle high-decker and thus create additional reserves for luggage.

Premium Comfort Plus cockpit, elegant and user-friendly

The test vehicle features a high-class equipment specification. This is already evident in the high-quality “Cockpit Comfort Plus”. The multifunction steering wheel in the test vehicle is finished in leather. Behind it, the instruments and controls are arranged clearly. The new Coach Infotainment Series multimedia system with DAB+ radio, 7-inch monitor – as well as touch, voice and button control – clearly combines navigation, operation of the entertainment electronics, and telephony.

The driver-oriented cockpit impresses with its clarity, perfect ergonomics, clearly legible instruments and an informative display. Small and practical aids support the test vehicle driver, including a rain/light sensor, the frequent-stop brake and a moving-off assistant. The same applies to display of the opening status of all flaps on the cockpit display. Runners on the left and right prevent damage in the event of contact with the ground.

The driver’s seat is multi-adjustable, rotatable, heated and even air-conditioned, and has two folding armrests. It also impresses with an electrically adjustable lumbar support. The driver’s workplace is equipped with separately controllable climate control. The Tourismo driver can store valuables in a safe located in the step at the front of the centre aisle.

The elegantly arched shape of the cockpit flows over onto the passenger side. This offers room for a spacious refrigerator with a capacity of 67 litres. Tour guides have a practical cupboard at their disposal next to their seat, as well as a reading lamp.

Visibility equals safety, and the test vehicle’s equipment is exemplary in this respect. The daytime running lights, low and main beam headlamps, fog lamps and clearance lamps are all designed with long-lasting and fail-safe LED technology. When manoeuvring at night, the surround lighting – with LED lights directly in front of the rear axle –provides additional support. The 360° camera system with cameras on all four sides of the bus provides a perfect all-round view from a bird’s-eye perspective, and thus additional safety when manoeuvring and in narrow spaces.

The test bus is equipped with the MirrorCam camera system, which has been available as an option since mid-2024, instead of conventional exterior mirrors. The images from the cameras are transmitted to 15-inch monitors mounted on the inside of the A-pillars. An additional camera and a second compact monitor ensure a view of the front right-hand corner of the vehicle. MirrorCam combines numerous advantages. These include the extended field of vision for the driver, significantly better visibility in the dark, less dirt, less manoeuvring damage and a further reduction in fuel consumption thanks to a smaller frontal area.

Contemporary passenger compartment design with Luxline seats

Passengers enter the Tourismo through wide entrances. The entrance light above the door shows the way, and the illuminated brand lettering on the steps welcomes those coming aboard. Step lighting and grab handles guide them safely to the passenger deck. Here, an attractively designed passenger compartment awaits them. The wood-look flooring is both inviting and cosy. The roof dome flows harmoniously into the luggage racks at the sides. Their undersides are upholstered in grey fabric. The fabric-clad centre ceiling section is in the colour Ceramique Evopure. Yellow curtains add a pop of colour to the interior and glass roof hatches brighten up the passenger compartment.

The seats on raised platforms ensure that it is easy for passengers to take a seat and stand up again. Passengers have 44 seats available to them, which corresponds to four-star seat spacing in accordance with the Bus Comfort Quality Association. The seat cushion and backrest surfaces of the comfortable Luxline seats are upholstered in an understated grey fabric. The anthracite-coloured side bolsters and black head restraints made of a composite leather-fibre material round off the harmonious impression. The side piping in bold yellow creates an effective colour contrast. The seat adjustment rocker switch features a metal mesh design decor, with the Mercedes star embedded in the backrest surface. Footrests, folding tables and luggage nets, together with coat hooks on the window pillars, complete the interior equipment.

Entertainment electronics with high-level networking

The new Coach Infotainment Series is at the heart of the entertainment electronics of the Safety Coach Tourismo. The new system accommodates all the latest-generation media: DAB+ radio reception, Bluetooth audio streaming, smartphone connection via Bluetooth and USB, and HDMI (such as to a laptop). Operation is possible by touch on the 7-inch monitor in the cockpit, but also by voice control or with traditional buttons and rotary controls. The driver can also control the volume and phone functions using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

A Wi-Fi network with Internet connection is available in the passenger compartment. Two large monitors (21.5 in / 54.4 cm) deliver a brilliant picture in full HD quality. One monitor is located at the front in the roof dome, another near the rear entrance.

USB ports are available at each double seat so that passengers can charge their devices. A 230-watt inverter supplies two 230-volt sockets with power – one at the rear entrance and one in the driver’s seat base.

Sophisticated air conditioning and heating ensure pleasant temperatures

A high-performance roof-mounted air conditioning system with 35 kW controls the climate of the passenger compartment. A convector heating system guarantees cosy temperatures in the cold season. The two-zone control system of the Tourismo, with two circuits each for cooling and heating, ensures balanced temperature distribution. The driver’s workplace boasts a separate climate control system. An air humidity sensor system improves climate comfort and thus well-being on board. There is also an auxiliary heater with automatic timer. The cylinder shut-off function for the air conditioning compressor makes a noticeable contribution to the low fuel consumption of the Tourismo.

Kitchenette: for all the food and drinks

The spacious refrigerator box in the front end of the test vehicle can hold a large supply of drinks for passengers. Another refrigerator is located in the kitchenette behind the central entrance. The kitchenette is also equipped with a 40-cup coffee maker, water heater, sausage cooker and sink. Stowage compartments for kitchen supplies are provided above the entrance. Waste is handled by a refuse chute with dual sorting located in the central entrance, and a container in the luggage compartment.

The washroom/toilet in the central entrance is functionally equipped. The toilet can be switched between water and chemical flushing.

Spacious luggage compartment with hinged flaps

The luggage compartment capacity of the test vehicle is generous despite the built-in on-board toilet. Up to 8.7 m³ of luggage can be stowed behind the hinged flaps on the right and left. This corresponds to 197 litres of luggage space per passenger. This capacity is also sufficient for oversized holiday luggage (comparable capacity in passenger vans is only possible if loaded up to the roof). The Tourismo also offers an additional 1.5 m³ in luggage racks in the passenger compartment. The driver and tour guide have lockable compartments at the front left and right.

The floor of the generous luggage compartment is lined with a floor mat to protect the luggage. The hinged luggage compartment flaps can be operated separately on the left and right via the central locking system. The driver will be pleased about additional stowage compartments on the left above the rear axle and on the right behind the rear axle. The multi-purpose space between the central entrance and the rear axle can be used as further stowage space. It is also accessible from the inside via a roller shutter. The tour guide’s cupboard in the area of door one offers additional stowage options.

The engine, transmission and axle all bear the Mercedes star

The perfectly coordinated drivetrain of the Tourismo consists of components from a single source. The engine, transmission and drive axle all bear the Mercedes star and are all bus-specific components.

The test vehicle is equipped with the top-of-the-range Tourismo engine. The Euro VI-compliant Mercedes‑Benz OM 470 in-line six-cylinder engine provides 335 kW (456 hp) from a displacement of 10.7 litres and delivers a maximum torque of 2200 Nm. This results in superior performance of the two-axle vehicle, along with outstanding efficiency. The heavy-duty engine features the unique highly-flexible X-Pulse common-rail injection with pressure booster. The extremely precise fuel injection with high pressures and free rate shaping is the basis for low fuel consumption, low exhaust emissions and, last but not least, smooth engine running.

In addition to its comparatively compact and lightweight design, the benefits of the engine include its astonishing elasticity, its high pulling power at low revs, and its immediate responsiveness. The emission control system combines SCR technology with AdBlue injection, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR catalytic converter.

The on-board electrical system management with intelligent battery sensor, consumer management, demand-based increase in idle speed, and optimised battery charging reduces fuel consumption and increases the service life of the major assemblies.

The long maintenance intervals of the Tourismo are a decisive factor in the low total cost of ownership of the Tourismo. The engine oil change intervals are a maximum of 120,000 km. The particulate filter must be serviced for the first time after 360,000 km and then only every 240,000 km. This allows the high-decker with the Mercedes star to focus on its destinations rather than the workshop. With more than 600 service stations, Omniplus provides the most comprehensive coach-specific service network for maintenance and repair.

Power is transferred by the fully automated Mercedes‑Benz GO 250-8 eight-speed PowerShift transmission. With its progressive gear spacing and wide ratio spread, the specialised coach transmission is precisely configured for use in touring coaches.

The test vehicle’s final-drive ratio of i = 3.583 corresponds to an engine speed of exactly 1189 rpm at a speed of 100 km/h in top gear. With this ratio, the high-decker is extremely fuel efficient and quiet on motorways and benefits from its large power reserves on uphill gradients. At the same time, this set-up allows the high-decker to cover long cross-country routes with maximum efficiency in the highest gear.

The transmission impresses with fast, yet comfortable gearshifts, with only minimal interruption of the power flow. The transmission’s crawler mode enables precise manoeuvring with the brake pedal alone, in the same way as with an automatic torque converter transmission. This is a comfort and safety feature for the driver, who can concentrate on the traffic and the surroundings when manoeuvring.

The outstanding aerodynamics of the Tourismo, with its exceptional drag coefficient of
Cd = 0.33, ensure low fuel consumption. The automatic lowering of the body at speeds above 79 km/h also contributes to this. Equipped as standard, this function reduces the frontal area and thus the aerodynamic drag. Drivers and passengers in the front seat rows also benefit from the Tourismo’s aerodynamics, which produce exceptionally low wind noise.

PPC and EDF support the driver and minimise consumption

Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) contributes to even greater efficiency and at the same time relaxation at the wheel. The anticipatory cruise control knows the current position of the coach and the altitude profile of the route ahead. Based on numerous parameters, PPC not only regulates the speed, but also intervenes in the transmission and proactively selects the right gear at the right time. In addition, PPC also uses EcoRoll technology: when appropriate, this technology puts the transmission in neutral, allowing the coach to coast without drag losses, thus reducing fuel consumption.

The driver receives further support from Eco Driver Feedback: EDF evaluates the personal driving style of the coach driver based on numerous parameters and provides individual feedback and suggestions. The driver thus knows their current performance and receives concrete suggestions for improvement if necessary.