Setra's history of safety
Overview 6
Short version: Test-driving the Setra S 531 DT
Safe, efficient and excellently equipped – a test drive of the new Setra S 531 DT double-decker bus through northeastern Europe
"Test Drive Northeast Europe" – the tour
Eastern Europe, an emerging market for coaches
Setra's history of safety
Technical data and equipment of the Setra S 531 DT (NU-DT 5311)
- Setra, Daimler Buses's premium brand, has been a leader in vehicle safety since 1955
- The Setra S 531 DT with Active Brake Assist 4 and the new Sideguard Assist
Whether it's adaptive cruise control, Active Brake Assist 4, start-off assist, anti-lock brake system, acceleration skid control, Attention Assist, Brake Assist, continuous brake limiter, frequent-stop brake with drive-off lock, Electronic Stability Program, rain and light sensor, Sideguard Assist and more – whether as standard or as an additional optional, the new Setra S 531 DT double-decker has a full A to Z list of state-of-the-art driver assistance and safety systems available.
This is a tradition at Setra: 1955 the brand was among the pioneers for independent suspension in buses. In 1964, Setra was the first manufacturer to introduce the retarder as a wear-free auxiliary brake. The use of disc brakes followed suit just a few years later. Already in 1981, Setra was fitting the anti-lock brake system into all of its buses if requested by the customer. From 1984, Setra was the first brand in Europe to use this as standard equipment.
The year 2001 saw the serial introduction of xenon headlamps in the then new TopClass 400. After that, electronic stability program, adaptive cruise control, continuous brake limiter, Lane Assist and Front Collision Guard were added in rapid succession. Many of these technologies came from the company's "construction kit", and their development was continued specifically for Setra's use. In addition, Setra introduced optional integrated LED headlamps in 2015.
Outstanding among assistance systems in bus production is the emergency braking assistance system Active Brake Assist. In its original form, it was already introduced to the Setra TopClass 400 ten years ago, and has undergone step-by-step developments since then. In its current configuration as Active Brake Assist 4, the system is also capable of person recognition. Sideguard Assist is also a step forward for the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.