Australasian Bus & Coach – May 2019

(^16) ABC May 2019 busnews.com.au
LAUDEDASANEXAMPLEof
howmodernpublictransport
withminibusesworks,thelatest
generationoftheMercedes-Benz
SprinterwascrownedMinibusof
theYear 2019 inMadrid,Spain,
recently.
TheSprinterCity 75 wonover
theinternationalspecialistjuryat
thisyear’sMinibusEuroTest,with
expertsjudgingthatitalsooffers
animpressiveamountofspaceand
numeroustechnologicalhighlights,
saysMercedes-Benz.
Journalistswereparticularly
keentohighlightthefactthe
manufacturerhasmanaged
tocreatespaceforupto 38
SPRINTER MINIBUS
AWARD WIN
passengersandhasusedthespace
availabletothemasefficientlyas
possible,itclaims.Byimplementing
thenewhigh-loadrearaxle,the
vehicle’seconomicefficiency
wasagainabletobedrastically
improved,itadds.
TRANSPORTFLEXIBILITY
“Weareveryhappyaboutthe
‘MinibusoftheYear2019’award
fortheSprinterCity75,”saidTill
Oberwörder,headofDaimlerBuses
andchairmanoftheBoardof
ManagementatEvoBusGmbH.
“ForMercedes-Benzthisisa
confirmationthateveninthe
minibussegment,operatorsand
Above:
Thestandard
auxiliarybrake

• whichdelivers
  350Nmofbraking
  output–and
  thenumerous
  assistancesystems
  maketheminibus
  oneofthesafest
  initssegment,
  MBexplains.

UNDOUBTEDLYWELLPRIMEDfor

therapidlyincreasingride-share

andon-demandbusandfleet

market,Mercedes-Benz’sConcept

EQVhasmadeitsfirstfullyelectric

tripintheMediterraneancityof

Barcelona,Spain,it’sreported.

Followingitsworldpremiere

attheGenevaMotorShowearly

March,theConceptEQVhitthe

streetsofBarcelona,showingthe

emissions-free,electricfuturefor

premiumMulti-PurposeVehicles

(MPVs)is“justaroundthecorner”,

accordingtoMercedes-Benz.

Thevehicleisaimedequally

atfamilies,sportsenthusiasts

orqualityshuttleservices,the

companystates.Withitsprogressive

Below:

The vehicle is

aimed equally at

families, sports

enthusiasts or

quality shuttle

services, the

company states.

FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC URBAN TRIP

transport companies need the

greatest possible flexibility from

vehicles which are as economical

as possible,” he explained.

One aspect receiving special

credit was the independent

vehicle design, which is wholly

representative of the higher

demands placed on local public

transport, according to MB.

More specifically, its high-drawn

panoramic windscreen doesn’t

just ensure passengers enjoy an

impressive view to the front, it also

provides a discreet location for

the destination display. Unique in

this vehicle class are the large side

windows, which deliver a sense

of openness and a modern touch,

it says.

BRAKING OUTPUT

The technology used on-board the

new Sprinter City 75 was also able

to convince the specialist jury of the

vehicle’s strengths, both with the

standard auxiliary brake – which

delivers 350Nm of braking output

• and the numerous assistance
  systems, which make the minibus
  one of the safest in its segment,
  MB explains.
  Among the systems on-board
  are the Electronic Stability Program
  (ESP), which comes as standard, as
  well as Crosswind Assist and Active
  Brake Assist.

exterior, the Concept EQV caused

a stir with passers-by in the fashion

and design city, MB claims. In

particular, the EQ-typical radiator

grille with its continuous LED strip

left a lasting impression, it adds.

INNER VALUES

In addition to its attractive design,

the Concept EQV stands for, in

particular, practical everyday

and locally emission-free electro-

mobility, Mercedes-Benz says.

The technical highlights include

a claimed range of up to 400km

(though whether that is fully

loaded or not is unclear) and an

integrated rapid-charging function.

This means that sufficient energy

for approximately 100km can

be charged in about 15 minutes,

apparently. What’s more, the vehicle

offers, “...the greatest possible

level of comfort in its interior

and maximum functionality, for

NEWS IN FOCUS