Wo r l d - Setra€¦ · Setra brand.” Setra is making a clear statement with its new brand slogan, which will be used in all communications ... has strengthened its fleet of nine

W o r l d

Imprint

Publisher:EvoBus GmbHSetra OmnibusseNeue Straße 9573230 Kirchheim unter Teck (Germany)Tel. +49 731 181-0Fax +49 731 181-2418www.setra-bus.com

Responsible for content:Dr. Jens Holger Heinemann Head of Marketing Communication Setra

The following people worked on this issue:Christine Denzel, BUS/MPM-SAngelika Miller, BUS/MMM-CStephan Körger, BUS/MPP-I

Concept, editorial work, layout:Newport3 Werbeagentur GmbH & Co. KGNeumann-Reichardt-Str. 27-3322041 Hamburg (Germany)www.newport3.de

Repro:Final Art ProductionNeumann-Reichardt-Str. 27-3322041 Hamburg (Germany)

Printing:Druckhaus WaiblingenAlbrecht-Villinger-Straße 1071332 Waiblingen (Germany)

N u mb er 5 4 | Is s u e 2 / 1 4

T h e m a g a z i n e f o r p e o p l e w i t h a p a s s i o n f o r c o a c h e s a n d b u s e s

The new Brake Assist featureEverything about ABA 3 and AEBS

Page 08

Culinary pleasures on the road Highlights from the bistro cuisine

Page 26

Total Cost of Ownership Up to date with a new Web Special

Page 24

www.setra-bus.com

The ComfortClass 500 MD Presentation of the new middle-decker and the IAA innovations

Pages 10-21

Setra Editorial | 0302 | Setra Impressions

“The new slogan communicates

the very distinctive perfection,

aesthetics and passion of the Setra brand.”

Setra is making a clear statement with its new brand slogan, which will be used in all communications

Dear customers and friends of the Setra brand,

over recent months, the vehicles from the 500 series have been redefining the streetscape. Witnessing how the ComfortClass and TopClass concepts are proving themselves day after day is a source of great pleasure for us at Setra. It also makes us more than just a little proud. Whether we’re from the development, manufacturing or sales departments, we all draw a lot of motivation from seeing the vehicles “in action”. These days, this is also true for the new UL business, which is very successfully taking its first steps with its new owners. At the IAA exhibition, we launched the next phase of additions to the Setra portfolio with four world premieres. The new S 511 HD, S 515 MD and S 519 HD models, as well as the S 416 LE business, are a logical next step in further completing our range of vehicles, to offer you an ideal selection of coaches and buses for your travel and passenger transport business. And there was another innovation at the IAA: our new “The Sign of Excellence.” slogan, which shone brightly above the Setra stand. It communicates the very distinctive perfection, aesthetics and passion of the Setra brand, which we poured into this guiding principle after much consideration. This is exactly how we see the role of the Setra brand – as a fascinating brand of coaches and buses conceived to satisfy the most discerning expectations and standards. It is our objective that you, dear reader, continue to feel this “Excellence” with each and every encounter you make with the Setra brand. Not only when you visit one of our exhibitions and events, but also in the day-to-day contact you have with our vehicles and our employees. After all, it really is our customers – and their high standards as entrepreneurs – who motivate us to achieve outstanding performance and to always strive for the highest quality.

Wishing you an entertaining and informative reading experience with the latest issue of SetraWorld.

Best regards,

Till Oberwörder Head of Marketing, Sales and Aftersales EvoBus GmbH

Get-togethers

06 | The market leader opts for Setra Nine double-decker coaches head for the Baltic region

07 | Setting a new record Setra’s success in the Hungarian market

22 | A look back and a look ahead The most important events at a glance

42 | The Setra classic coach collection “Der liebe Augustin”, a Setra S 10

46 | The cradle of the Setra brand A historic exhibition at the Kässbohrer Haus in Neu-Ulm

Fascination & technology

08 | Every metre counts The new generation of emergency brake assistant systems

10 | Ideal for your business model Presentation of the four Setra world premieres at the IAA

34 | Factory tour A visit to the EvoBus Mannheim plant’s body shop

48 | Setra sends a clear signal The Setra brand has a new slogan

Horizons

26 | Enhancing the food experience on board Culinary suggestions for ‘on the go’

Travel in style

36 | A short trip to the sunny side On the road in Burgenland, Austria, with the new Setra ComfortClass 500 MD

Customised

31 | A brilliant idea An optional switch for vehicle cleaning lighting

31 | Convenient, fast and safe Central locking for the service flaps

32 | High, higher, highest The S 431 DT double-decker with increased upper-deck headroom

Service & support

24 | Total Cost of Ownership A new Setra Web Special on overall cost-effectiveness

25 | Gold, Silver, Bronze The new quality categories for pre-owned buses and coaches from BusStore

41 | Not only for Setra fans News from the Setra Shop

44 | Express delivery of spare parts The Hoerdt OMNIplus BusPort speeds up its supply chain

Customised just for you

At Setra, the development of any new coach model begins with an analytical look at you and your business. Our customers’ wide range of business models are the take-off point for our develop-ment work. Market-oriented vehicle concepts with which you can successfully do business are the benchmark. With this in mind, customer needs are the focal point behind the introduction of our coach innovations. Read about the different applications for which our new products were conceived, and the require-ments and challenges they will be facing day after day.

Fascination & technology 10 | Ideal for your business model

Setra has consistently targeted its model range to different customer needs and the four coach innovations at the IAA bear witness to this beautifully

Travel in style 36 | A short trip to the sunny side

In the Austrian Burgenland, the new Setra ComfortClass 500 MD demonstrates its strengths in upscale excursions

10 Vehicle presentations from the customer’s perspective: Setra’s four IAA innovations

serve the most varied business models 26 Always enticing: treats from the on-board

kitchen36 The new S 515 MD middle-decker from the ComfortClass 500 series presents itself as a specialist for

short trips on a tour of the Austrian Burgenland 34 Heavy duty: coach frame production at the EvoBus

Mannheim plant’s body shop

In focus

Setra Content | 0504 | Setra Content

E COLINES, the market leader in international long-distance service lines in Estonia, now relies on Setra coaches. The largest

international transport company in the Baltic region has put nine Setra TopClass S 431 DT double-decker coaches into service. With these vehicles, the new Setra customer wants to strengthen the premium segment on its routes, which leave from the Baltic region for 21 countries and over 200 cities in Europe.In selecting its equipment, ECOLINES put exclusive travel comfort in the foreground. The coaches each have 76 Setra Voyage seats which offer passengers plenty of leg room. They are also equipped with an infotainment system, including a flat screen at every seat, 220-volt outlets, Wi-Fi, as well as a luxury galley. With an additional tank for 220 litres of fuel, the coaches can easily master very long distances of over 1,000 km without refuelling.

“The high quality of the Setra coaches, the good service and support through the local distributor and the far-reaching OMNIplus Service- Network are what convinced us,” says ECOLINES CEO Andris Podgornijs. The company, based in Riga, Latvia, has been active in international bus service for 20 years.

06 | Setra Get-togethers

The market leader prefers Setra Estonia – nine S 431 DT double-decker coaches for ECOLINES:

At the wheel of his new S 431 DT: Andris Podgornijs, CEO at ECOLINES

T his year, Setra has recorded a new sales record in Hungary. Three of the largest touring companies in the country have long been regular Setra customers and in 2014, they

purchased a total of nine vehicles.

Holiday travel in high-level comfort Grand Tours, the largest holiday coach tour operator in Hungary, bought two ComfortClass S 516 HD/2 coaches as well as two S 431 DT double-deckers. These new vehicles extend the fleet which previously included six S 431 DT coaches. “For us, it is mainly flexibility in terms of equipment, reliability and large passenger capacity that are decisive in our choosing Setra,” says Managing Director Sándor Nagy. The new vehicles not only feature the latest Mercedes-Benz safety systems, they also offer passengers special

touring equipment with air conditioning and an infotainment system. Additionally, Grand Tours equips all its vehicles with a satellite TV antenna and a defibrillator for emergencies. Grand Tours travels to 14 resort destinations in Greece, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Hungary.

Success in the Hungarian market

Setra Get-togethers | 07

The most modern fleet in Hungary Fehérvár Travel, Hungary‘s market leader in city tours and round trips, has strengthened its fleet of nine luxury coaches with a Comfort- Class S 515 HD as the new “flagship”. Two Setra S 415 GT-HD coaches had previously filled this role. With an average coach age of just over three years, this is the most modern fleet in Hungary. The new vehicle is equipped with a lavatory, an on-board galley and 48 Setra Voyage Plus seats. The coach also has an infotainment system with audio guides for passengers on cultural and city tours throughout Europe. “With the ComfortClass, we can ideally meet our customers’ demand for outstanding comfort on longer trips of up to 14 days,” says Péter Ribi, Travel Fehérvár’s Managing Director.

Used for long-distance linesThe Trans Tour coach operator from Nyíregyháza in the eastern part of Hungary has expanded his Setra fleet of eleven older ComfortClass and MultiClass models with four ComfortClass S 517 HD coaches. Trans Tour now has the largest Setra fleet in Hungary. The new coaches feature extended line equipment with Voyage Plus seats and three monitors each. The vehicles are deployed on the long-distance line between Nyíregyháza and Budapest, which Trans Tour offers twice daily. Especially on weekends, demand for the 250-km-long trip is so high that the operator often has to deploy several coaches. “With the S 515 HD and its 54 seats, we can now serve the route even more cost-effectively,” comments Tamás Járku, Managing Director of Trans Tour. Bálint Tóth, Setra representative at EvoBus Hungary, is convinced that Setra’s customer base is continuing to grow in this market. “More and

more coach companies are recognising the long-term benefits of the Setra brand, such as quality, reliability and service,” he says. In the pre-owned segment, Setra is already one of the most popular brands in Hungary.

After years of economic difficulties in Hungary, the

demand for premium-class coaches is now significantly

increasing. Setra can strengthen its market position with

models from its ComfortClass and TopClass ranges.

E very coach driver has been there: the coach is confidently heading up a slope and a truck ahead suddenly reduces speed. Or when a car reeves dangerously close when

entering the highway. Or in the case of the infamous “traffic pile-up behind a curve” that unfortunately doesn’t only exist in traffic broadcasts. No driver likes to be surprised by these types of events. And happy are those whose coach has an emergency braking system on board that can autonomously activate full braking in situations like these. Legislators agree: beginning on 1 November 2015, for newly registered coaches (Classes 2+3), emergency braking assistant and lane assistant features will be mandatory. Brake Assist is able to automatically initiate emergency braking in the case of both moving and stationary obstacles. The threat of a collision can therefore be prevented even more safely, or the impact velocity on the obstacle will be significantly reduced. The Lane Assist feature (SPA) also provides valuable support. With the

help of a camera system behind the windscreen, it identifies unintended lane changes. The SPA becomes active at a speed of 60 km/h.

The new AEBS emergency braking assistant The new emergency braking assistants in Setra coaches can do even more than will be required by law in the more stringent Phase 2, effective as of 2018. The AEBS emergency brake (Advanced Emergency Braking System) slows down the coach more than required by law, and can therefore better prevent accidents, or at the very least dramatically reduce the severity of accidents. Beginning in the third quarter of 2015, the AEBS feature will be delivered with the Multi-Class 400 and ComfortClass 500. Like the well-known Active Brake Assist, AEBS is based on a radar sensor. Its range is 200 metres, within which the distance to the vehicle ahead and the relative speed are continuously measured. At the same time, the radar sensor measures the distance to stationary

obstacles. If a situation is so critical that, all things remaining the same, an accident is highly probable and the driver shows no activity, an automatic emergency braking is initiated. Meanwhile, a graduated warning concept gives the driver the opportunity to actively prevent an accident. First, an acoustic warning sounds at intervals, while a red triangle lights up in the instrument display. If the situation remains critical and the driver does not react, AEBS activates a partial braking. With consideration for the passengers, it steadily increases braking power by 30 per cent, and the visual and acoustic warnings persist. If the driver still does not respond and the situation remains critical, a full braking automatically follows. The acoustic warning changes to a continuous tone. During the entire process, the driver remains in charge of the situation and can override the system. If he operates the indicators, goes full throttle or brakes faster than the emergency brake in the early phase, the partial braking and the audible warning are annulled. The visual display remains.

New: Active Brake Assist 3 The new AEBS emergency braking assistant, just like the third-generation, enhanced Active Brake Assist feature (ABA 3), is an exclusive Mercedes-Benz development. ABA 3 will be available for the ComfortClass 500 and the TopClass 500 beginning in the third quarter of 2015, and will be even more powerful than the predecessor version as well as AEBS. The new Active Brake Assist 3 can initiate full braking based on stationary obstacles. Its warning cascade and brake response to moving objects are identical to AEBS.

The decisive difference is that, in the case of stationary obstacles, the brake application kicks in earlier with ABA 3. Accordingly, full braking begins sooner. Therefore, ABA 3 not only reduces speed in the event of an impend- ing collision with stationary obstacles, for the first time ever, it can also prevent an accident through autonomous emergency braking through to a full stop – such as in an unexpected traffic jam.Whether AEBS or Active Brake Assist 3, both emergency braking assistant systems can save lives. A tip for coach buyers: don’t wait until the legally required introduction. Take advantage now of the availability of the new AEBS and Active Brake Assist 3 systems.

On the safe side Setra and safety – two notions that have been inextricably linked for many years. In 1955, at the IAA exhibition, Setra introduced the first independent suspension with air cushioning. In 1964, as the first manufacturer to do so, Setra built in a retarder as a wear-free brake – Otto Kässbohrer had discovered the technology in trains and transferred it to coaches. In 1984, Setra intro-duced the ABS anti-lock braking system on all coaches – also a first. In 1990, Setra presented a revolutionary mirror system with its 300 series. In 2001, the new TopClass 400 was launched with Xenon headlights as standard equipment. In 2003, Setra equipped the TopClass 400 and ComfortClass 400 coaches with the ESP Electronic Stability Program as standard equipment. In 2005, Setra presented the following new safety systems: Adaptive Cruise Control (ART), Lane Assist (SPA) and Continuous Braking Limiter (DBL) in the TopClass 400 and ComfortClass 400. In 2007, the Front Collision Guard made its debut in the TopClass 400. In 2008, Setra delivered its first touring coach with the Active Brake Assist (ABA) emergency braking system.

Emergency braking assistance systems will be mandatory beginning in the autumn of 2015.

The new AEBS and Active Brake Assist 3 assistance systems for Setra coaches and buses can

actually deliver more than the law requires.

Every metre countsIf the situation remains critical and the driver does not react, AEBS activates a partial braking.

The new generation of emergency braking systems:

Setra Fascination & technology | 09

ABA 3 can independently initiate full braking in the case of stationary obstacles

08 | Setra Fascination & technology

An XXL raised-floor coach, versatile middle-deckers, an attractive club coach and a cost-effective

Low Entry – Setra is focusing its model range on varied customer needs. In interviews with four

entrepreneurs, we hope to bring you closer to the ideas behind the four Setra world premieres.

What’s the thinking behind the concepts? What possibilities are available to your company?

A somewhat different approach to presenting a few of our exciting new vehicles.

As individual as your business model


reduces the weight of the coach and the associated front abutting surface, further improving fuel consumption, while maintaining the ComfortClass’ attractive interior standing height of about 2,100 millimetres. As a result, the Setra MD is an ideal model for excursions, shuttle transport and short trips. Basically, for all applications where maximum luggage compartment volume is not required.

“Our company’s success rests to a great extent on the multiple applications potential of our coaches.”Didier Venet, Managing Director at Venet Voyages (France)

T he Voyages Venet coach company in Duerne near Lyon, Southern France, has a fleet of 32 vehicles,

including 20 touring coaches. These carry most of the economic responsibility: in fact, they are responsible for 70 per cent of the company’s turnover. Since Venet’s touring coaches are deployed variably – from one day through to two weeks – the vehicles need to deliver a lot of flexibility. For Didier Venet, Managing Director of the family business in the Rhône-Alpes region (www.venet-voyages.com), the combination of maximum cost-effectiveness and comfort is way up there on the priority list when it comes to purchasing new vehicles: “Our company’s success rests to a great extent on the multiple applications potential of our coaches.”And this is precisely where the new MD from the Comfort- Class 500 comes in. The abbreviation stands for ‘middle- decker’. Compared to the HD high-decker, the MD’s body and floor are lowered by about 21 centimetres. This

“We’re a family business through and through, where everyone loves their work, where the customer is always king, and where we all respect our drivers,” says Didier Venet. For the most part, Venet operates school buses and tours. His touring coaches all carry the Setra logo. The fleet includes long three-axle MultiClass 400 buses, several ComfortClass coaches, all the way through to the TopClass 400 – from the S 411 HD to the double- decker. The young touring coaches are on average only two years old.Didier Venet, who is very meticulous when calculating the

One for everyone: the ComfortClass S 515 and 516 MD

Setra Fascination & technology | 1312 | Setra Fascination & technology

The ComfortClass 500 MD middle-

decker is as flexible and versatile as it is

cost-effective. The two-axle model’s

focus in terms of applications is on

excursions, shuttles and transportation

between production plants. But in

reality, it can do so much more.

equipment and fittings on his vehicles, had his eye on the Setra MD for some time: “A middle-decker is ideal for us when it comes to transfer trips, language tours and charters.” Cost-effectiveness is very important to him: “For our purposes, we really don’t need unnecessary luxury.”The Setra MD is ideal in this respect. As a full-blooded member of the ComfortClass 500, it delivers all the essential features of the family. Beginning with an identical length concept, the MD is available as the

S 515 MD (with a length of 12.30 metres) and the S 516 MD (with a length of 13.12 metres), both two-axle vehicles. This represents an advantage for the Venet company, since tolls in France are much higher for three-axle vehicles. A key advantage of the MD touring coach is that the passage width in the entrance corresponds to the cross section of the passenger compartment, as it does in the high-decker. This means an interior standing height of 2.10 metres and an impression of spaciousness, large baggage racks and excellent visibility through the large side windows. With reading lights, air vents, a complete range of interior lighting with durable, energy-saving LED lamps and an inviting warm ambiance – the MD is a thoroughbred Setra touring coach down to the last detail. The functional aspect of the Setra MD becomes obvious in the more basic Setra Route seating, as well as in the service sets without illuminated frames. Bearing in mind the Setra MD’s typical application profile, this doesn’t in the least represent a disadvantage. Didier Venet has made it clear that he doesn’t require the highest level of comfort. In terms of equipment and amenities, the MD shows high-level flexibility as well. Those who wish to further refine their MD can opt

The MD was generated from the ComfortClass 500’s modular system and combines the ComfortClass high-decker’s passenger compartment with a lower underbody


The MD also features the well-known interior standing height of 2.10 m The “Coach Comfort” cockpit version The MD is available with different positions for door 2, with either a central door in front of the rear axle or a rear door

Setra S 515 MD Setra S 516 MD

Platform/series ComfortClass 500 ComfortClass 500

Length/width/height 12,295/2,550/3,560 mm 13,115/2,550/3,560 mm

Wheelbase/turning circle 6,090/21,256 mm 6,910/23,350 mm

Passenger seats 55-48/44 (***/****) 59-52/48 (***/****)

Luggage compartment volume 6.1-8.0 m³ 7.8-9.7 m³

Engine 260 kW, 1,400 Nm-290 kW/1,900 Nm 260 kW, 1,400 Nm-290 kW/1,900 Nm

Transmission 6-speed manual transmission/ 8-speed PowerShift

6-speed manual transmission/ 8-speed PowerShift

for illuminated frames for the service sets and ambient lighting on request. The coach can also be fitted with a WC and an on-board kitchen in different configurations. The Setra MD is also suitable for passengers with restricted mobility – with the optional lift and a parking space in the passenger compartment. Equipped with other features, such as a vending machine for snacks, it can even cost- effectively take on long-distance applications. In any case, the versatile MD really is a coach for everyone. For example, the customer has the choice between a central and a rear door – each resulting in very different layouts in the passenger compartment. With a central door, the WC is positioned to the right and the kitchen to the left near the entrance. With a rear door, the WC is at the passenger compartment level, and the kitchen is positioned right next to it.

An on-board kitchen and WC are, however, not a must. Setra also delivers the MD with full seating: up to 55 passenger seats in the S 515 MD and as many as 59 seats in the 13.12-metre-long Setra S 516 MD. This is ideal for Venet, since the French prefer to dine in restaurants anyway, rather than in the coach. Instead, Didier Venet orders a coffee maker. In spite of the lower height, the luggage compartment is more than sufficient. In the case of the Setra MD with a central entrance, and depending on length and equipment, its volume is between 6.1 to 8.0 cubic metres. With a rear entrance, the luggage compartment volume runs between 8.0 and 9.7 cubic metres. Another benefit of the rear door is that the luggage compart-ment is easily accessible and can be loaded along its full length on both sides – a real plus for the driver. Depending on the area of application, mounting brackets for a ski box are certainly worth the

investment. Venet, for example, offers skiing tours in the nearby Alps. Coach operators also have a choice when it comes to the driver’s work station. The standard-equipment cockpit offers several features typical to Setra coaches. The more upscale cockpit version, known as the “Coach Comfort” known from the ComfortClass HD model, is available as an option. It comes with a CMS entertainment system, among other special features. Cost-effectiveness is also a key area of focus in the coach’s drive train. The standard-equipment engine is the compact, lightweight Mercedes OM 936 with 7.7 litre displacement and 260 kW. Optionally, the Mercedes OM 470 with 265 kW or 290 kW 10.7 litre engine is available. For all engine versions, the automated PowerShift eight-speed transmission is an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission. No matter what combination, with sophisticated

aerodynamics, low weight and a lower height, the new Setra MD is a real consumption champion. The Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) feature, as an option, further enhances cost-effectiveness – indispen-sable for cool calculators like Venet. An extensive range of safety equipment is available for the Setra MD, and always a given for Voyages Venet. Upon request, these new coaches can be equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Attention Assist and the Active Brake Assist emergency braking feature – the ComfortClass 500 MD also delivers an unsurpassed level of safety. Especially bearing in mind that the Electronic Stability Program and the Front Collision Guard are standard equipment on board. Visually, the Setra MD differs only slightly from the famous HD. Both are graced with the ComfortClass 500 face – in the case of the MD,

only the windscreen is lower by 21 centimetres. Connoisseurs will notice that the MD’s rear window sill border runs horizontally. Didier Venet is looking forward to the new addition to his fleet: “We’re giving it a try with a Setra S 516 MD with a rear entrance, since it has a large luggage compartment volume and great seating configuration – even with its two axles.” The long MD version appeals to Venet: “Four additional seats for almost the same price.” The new MD isn’t only the “one for everyone”, it’s the economic miracle in the Comfort-Class 500. The S 515 and S 516 MD middle-deckers celebrated their world premiere at the IAA in Hanover. The first vehicles will be delivered beginning in October 2014.

The ComfortClass 500 MD also delivers an unsurpassed

level of safety.

2+1 VIP seating and many more special features. The choice of door variant is also attractive: Setra delivers the S 511 HD with either a central door or a rear door. The high-decker with the classical central door has room for up to 43 passengers – or with a WC, space for 41 passengers. The luggage compartment volume is 6.5 cubic metres – or with a WC, 5.3 cubic metres. The club coach with the rear door features a luggage compartment with an amazing 7.5 cubic metres and is easily loaded from both sides. In this case, the optional WC is accommodated at the passenger compartment

F or Peter Balmer, Managing Director of the Swiss Grindelwaldbus bus operation, club coaches are

indispensable. “On the one hand, we travel routes which, with their topography, wouldn’t even be possible for larger vehicles. And on the other hand, smaller groups often prefer smaller vehicles.” Grindelwaldbus (www.grindelwaldbus.ch) is active in many different types of passenger road transport. Of the company’s 40 vehicles, eight coaches are between 10.0 and 10.6 metres long. The Swiss company uses them for tourist line tours, transfers and excursions, and even for the wedding trips which are so popular in Switzerland. Regional particulari-ties come into play as well.Setra has always had a big soft spot for small coaches. In fact, club coaches have played a special role in every one of its generations so far, from the legendary Setra S 6 in the fifties through to the luxurious S 411 HD from the Top- Class 400. The new S 511 HD from the ComfortClass 500 builds on this experience. So with the club coach, Grindelwaldbus passengers can enjoy the same high level of comfort as in a full-size coach. The advantage of the S 511 HD is that it offers the distinctive charm of a club coach, while nonetheless being a fully-fledged coach engineered with Setra’s proven modular system. It offers the complete comfort of a ComfortClass 500 high-decker and incorporates its high-volume components. The new smallest Setra is only 10.47 metres long. Thanks to its five-metre wheelbase, it is exceptionally easy to handle and almost turns on a dime: its turning circle is only 17.5 metres, hardly more than that of a larger mini-bus. A perfect fit, and not only for the pass routes along which Grindelwaldbus often travels. On the outside, the S 511 HD is very compact, but inside it is surprisingly spacious. Whether the cockpit or the passenger compartment, everything reflects the standard expected in the ComfortClass 500: a wide entrance, generous headroom in the aisle and a pleasant feeling of space. It also means a full interior width and comfortable seating without any restrictions. And, if you’d like to transform your Setra club coach into a luxury coach, it is available on request with a level floor,

“One of the greatest advantages of the Setra club coach is that it offers the very same standard of comfort as the larger vehicles.”Peter Balmer, Managing Director at Grindelwaldbus (Switzerland)

A small high-decker with a lot of class:

the new Setra S 511 HD club coach has

inherited the legacy of its legendary

predecessors – and its appeal lies

mainly in its modular concept and

attractive variants.


level. Both variants can be very attractively equipped on request. The model with a central door can offer a club corner in the rear. And the version with a rear door has sufficient room at the rear for a spacious kitchen. The options for fittings are just as extensive. This all reflects

the flexibility which is so appreciated by Grindelwaldbus, such as the variants with a removable toilet. This small coach is also really big in terms of the drive and safety technology it delivers. Just like its larger

siblings, the club coach runs on a six-cylinder in-line Mercedes OM 470. Its performance of 290 kW and strong 1,900 Nm torque is more than sufficient to take on the most demanding mountain passes in Switzerland. For the first time in the club coach, there is a selection of transmissions. An alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox is the automated PowerShift transmission with eight gears. The ESP Electronic Stability Program is also standard on board, as is the Front Collision Guard impact protection system, along with many other safety features. Of course, Active Brake Assist is also available as an option. What is really important in a club coach? Peter Balmer from Grindel-

waldbus summarises his answer in three words: “Manoeuvrability, comfort, reliability.” And he adds: “One of the greatest advantages of the Setra club coach is that it offers the very same standard of comfort as the larger vehicles.” And this is precisely what the S 511 HD is all about.The S 511 HD celebrated its world premiere at the IAA in Hanover. The first vehicles will be delivered beginning in February 2015.

The legendary Setra S 6 club coach

The new S 511 HD with a length of only 10.47 m is ideal for club tours, as a VIP shuttle or for smaller tour groups

Setra S 511 HD

Platform/series ComfortClass 500

Length/width/height 10,465/2,550/3,770 mm

Wheelbase/turning circle 5,005/17,468 mm

Passenger seats 41/43–34/36 (***/****)

Luggage compartment volume 5.3-7.5 m³

Engine 290 kW, 1,900 Nm

Transmission 6-speed manual transmission/ 8-speed PowerShift

Short and sweet: the ComfortClass S 511 HD

R oad performance of over 300,000 kilometres per year, the highest standards of efficiency, safety and

comfort – the requirements for vehicle deployment on long-distance lines set by ALSA, a Spanish operator (www.alsa.es), are extremely high. “Alsa is market leader in Spain in long-distance passenger traffic,” explains Victor López, General Manager of Purchasing and Maintenance, “Alsa has 141 national and regional concessions and its network virtually connects all regions of Spain.” Of the company’s 2,200 coaches and buses, 350 vehicles cover long-distance lines within Spain, and 136 of these are Setra 419 GT-HD coaches. By the end of 2014, over two dozen more S 517 HD coaches will go into operation. „The 15-metre-long vehicles yield higher profitability per seat, as long as they reach a reasonable seat occupancy rate,” concludes Victor López. And this is certainly the case on the more than 600-kilometre Madrid–Zaragoza– Barcelona connection, which is covered at hourly intervals during the day. “The S 419 GT-HD coaches are the only vehicles we’ve deployed here so far.” The new Setra S 519 HD comes in right on cue for a scenario such as this one. The longest Setra ever built capitalises on its maximum length of 15 metres down to the last centimetre. Compared to the S 517 HD, the developers extended both wheelbases and the rear overhang. The rear module is derived from the two-axle ComfortClass 500, and the front wheelbase is identical to the S 517 HDH TopClass. The new travel giant beautifully exemplifies Setra’s modular system and is ideal for long-distance applications. With three-star seat spacing, this extra-long coach provides a maximum 71 passenger seats – which is the most a single deck can accommodate. With a WC and on-board kitchen, 65 passengers can be seated. The wealth of product variants baffles the mind. There is a high-decker, on request, with an even floor and luxurious 2+1 VIP seating – perfect for lines offering top comfort. ALSA markets them as “Servicio Supra” and “Servicio Premium”.

Passenger baggage and cases all fit nicely in the luggage compartment of up to 12.4 cubic metres positioned between the axles. And all the more so considering the additional storage spaces located behind the service flaps above the rear axles. The Setra giant doesn’t have any weight problems either: the impressive three-axle coach actually weights around 200 kilograms less than its predecessor. With the coach’s stately dimensions in mind, Setra selected just the right engine. An alternative to the

It is the longest Setra of all and the

ComfortClass 500’s flagship:

the new S 519 HD never fails to

impress with 15 metres in length,

an exceptional number of passenger

seats and surprising versatility.

“In long-distance traffic, we greatly welcome improvements in the areas of safety and comfort, but also advances that increase our profitability.”Victor López, General Manager of Purchasing and Maintenance at ALSA (Spain)

The “seat giant” for long trips: the ComfortClass S 519 HD


Mercedes-Benz OM 470 with 315 kW which is available as standard equipment, is the larger OM 471 with 350 kW and 12.8 litres of cubic capacity – the TopClass 500 engine. The automated Mercedes-Benz PowerShift transmission with eight gears is standard. And, like all other new coaches, the XXL high-decker also benefits from the new coach generation’s extensive fuel-saving technology. Along with the drive train, it features outstanding aerodynamics and regulated working ancillary units. As an option, the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) feature further reduces consumption. Especially for marathon runners such as ALSA, fuel consumption plays a key role: since prices on Spain’s

long-distance lines are regulated publicly, every litre of fuel counts. At 300,000 kilometres a year, a litre of reduced consumption per 100 kilometres saves no less than 3,000 litres of fuel per year. This is not only better for the environment, it also improves the bottom line. The new S 519 HD’s handling, safety and operation are beyond reproach. The third axle, for example, features independent suspension with active steering, as usual. The high-decker is also available with all possible assistance systems, including the new-generation Active Brake Assist. And the driver, in his ergonomically advanced cockpit,

benefits from the new operating panel for heating, ventilation and air conditioning from the TopClass 500 series.“Alsa has an innovative approach with regard to energy-savings, active and passive safety, and the driver’s working conditions. In long-distance traffic, we greatly welcome improvements in the areas of safety and comfort, but also advances that increase our profitability,” says Victor López. It sounds like the new S 519 HD coach was conceived to fulfil exactly these discerning standards. The S 519 HD celebrated its world premiere at the IAA in Hanover. The first vehicles will be delivered beginning in October 2014.

Installed as standard: the Mercedes-Benz OM 470

Setra S 519 HD

Platform/series ComfortClass 500

Length/width/height 14,945/2,550/3,770 mm

Wheelbase/turning circle 7,140+1,600/23,656 mm

Passenger seats 71-56 (***/****)

Luggage compartment volume 9.6-12.4 m³

Engine 315/350 kW, 2,100/2,300 Nm

Transmission 8-speed PowerShift

With a length of 14.95 m, the new S 519 HD makes full use of the maximum length of 15 m, and it is the longest Setra touring coach of all

entrance two. The front end of the coach has a low floor all the way through to behind entrance two. Even with the classic 295 tyres, this means an entry height of only 345 mm at the front and 380 mm in the middle. With 275 urban bus tyres, the entry height is further reduced to 305 mm and with kneeling, down again by another 70 mm. Both VLP and Christian Rader plead for the higher version: “We work in rural areas where road conditions are often less than ideal. This is why we need good a ground clearance and approach angle.”

W ith the versatile MultiClass, Setra is well positioned in the overland bus segment. And

there’s even better news: the UL business is being joined by the LE business as a highly cost-effective Low Entry. An overland bus, for example, tailor-made for the Ludwigslust-Parchim Verkehrsgesellschaft VLP (www.vl-p.de). In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the area is large and the population is dispersed: in Germany’s second largest county, there are only 220,000 people living on 5,000 square kilometres. Nevertheless, students have to be in class on time, workers at their jobs, mothers shopping and seniors at their doctors’ appointments. 9,600 students travelling to 109 schools make up four- fifths of the transport business. And for the most part, this is all addressed by the Verkehrsgesellschaft Ludwigslust-Parchim mbH public transportation company, headquartered in the town of Hagenow. “VLP operates 133 lines with a total length of 4,066 kilometres and 2,311 stops,” explains Christian Rader, the organisation’s management spokesman. The fleet consists of 200 vehicles, and two-thirds of them are Setra coaches. For several years now, VLP has purchased mainly low-floor buses and low-entry vehicles. Christian Rader’s reasoning is quite straightforward: “We often have small children at the bus stops early in the morning. In a low-entry bus, the driver sits almost on par with the embarking passengers – which makes things much more relaxed. Even primary school pupils often carry a heavy school bag along with a sports bag. With all this in tow, the three steps in a high-floor bus shouldn’t be underesti-mated.” Students with heavy bags, parents with strollers, more and more older people with their walkers, passengers with bicycles – according to Christian Rader, there are many more passengers with restricted mobility than just the wheelchair users most often heard about. The new MultiClass LE business ideal for them and for all other passengers as well. The two-axle vehicle is available in two lengths, which differ only in wheelbase thanks to their modular construction. Setra also delivers the LE with either a single- or double-swing door at

Cost-effective and comfortable: the MultiClass LE business


As an extremely cost-effective Low

Entry, the new MultiClass LE business

combines a low floor with high-floor

technology. It pays off for operators

and is very comfortable for passengers.

Another benefit of the LE business is its excellent layout. The seats in the front section are mounted on platforms, which enhances the view. A standing height of over two and a half metres results in a feeling of spaciousness even when the bus is fully loaded. For overland certifica-tion, two shallow steps lead to the high-floor rear section. Aisle slope and platforms are as per the UL models. The equipment is extremely functional – the name MultiClass business says it all. The new Low Entry is a Setra through and through. Beginning with the typically friendly MultiClass face,

leading along the distinctive design element from the front axle to the rear lights. The powertrain is well known: similarly to the MultiClass UL, the bus runs on the compact six-cylinder in-line Mercedes-Benz OM 936 with 7.7 litre displacement. It is available in two performance levels. And it comes with a wide selection of transmissions: a manual transmission, an automated Mercedes PowerShift transmission, as well as two converter automatic transmissions. Christian Rader is pleased with the result: “We really appreciate the maintenance-friendly, high-floor technology. We know it well and it has proven itself again and again.” What makes for a good overland bus? “What ultimately matters is passenger satisfaction: easy access,

a clear interior layout and comfort. Then comes driver satisfaction, of course, the bus has to be easy to drive and have a clearly arranged cockpit. And finally, I refer to the third point as the workshop experience,” adds Rader. Sounds a lot like the Setra MultiClass LE business, doesn’t it! The MultiClass LE business celebrated its world premiere at the IAA in Hanover. The first vehicles will be delivered beginning in May 2015.

“We really appreciate the maintenance- friendly, high-floor technology. We know it well and it has proven itself again and again.” Christian Rader, Management Spokesman at VLP (Germany)

Both entrances in the Setra LE business feature low-floor design

Setra S 415/416 LE business

Platform/series MultiClass 400

Length/width/height 12,330-13,040/2,550/3,295 mm

Wheelbase/turning circle 6,330-7,040/21,996–23,860 mm

Passenger seats 45-49/49-53

Engine 220 kW-260 kW, 1,200-1,400 Nm

Transmission 6-speed manual transmission/8-speed PowerShift automated transmission/converter automatic and fully automatic 4- or 6-speed transmissions

The new LE business brings together full accessibility with an inexpensive, easy to maintain and convenient high floor in the rear

Past exhibitions

SetraShow, Neu-Ulm (Germany) 11/8-9/2014 After the record number of visitors last year, Setra is once again looking forward to welcoming great numbers of guests to Neu-Ulm in 2014. The highlights of the SetraShow will, of course, be the four world premieres, which were celebrated this year at the international exhibitions: the compact S 511 HD, the long three-axle S 519 HD, the S 515 MD middle-decker, as well as the low-floor MultiClass and the S 416 LE business. Of course, visitors will be able to experience the new models live and take advantage of opportunities for test drives during the extended event timeframe. Along with the presentation of products and services, visitors can look forward to a stand-alone event topic: “Coach culture – enhancing the food experience on board”. Several service providers will be guests at the SetraShow to address this topic, and customers will have an opportunity to interact with them in what promises to be a fascinating discussion forum. Additionally, special catering menus, guided tours, tours of the Setra Vintage Collection and a variety of children’s activities will round out the programme.

BusStore Show, Neu-Ulm (Germany) 2/6-7/2015 For the second time, BusStore, the joint Setra and Mercedes-Benz pre-owned vehicle brand, will be holding the BusStore Show at their location in Neu-Ulm. Along with a large selection of pre-owned Setra and Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches, many vehicles from other brands and manufacturers will be represented as well. They will have been evaluated and prepared by the BusStore experts and will be available in three levels of quality – Gold, Silver and Bronze (see article on page 25). The experienced coach and bus experts from BusStore will be available to assist visitors in choosing the best pre-owned coach or bus for their specific purpose and for test drives. Moreover, interested visitors can also search online for vehicles at all other BusStore network locations. At the BusStore show, BusStore will also be informing visitors on service contracts for young pre-owned coaches with Gold classification.

IAA Commercial Vehicles, Hanover (Germany) 9/25-10/2/2014 This year, the 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles Exhibition attracted visitors from all over the world to Hanover under the motto “Driving the future”. Setra was represented at the IAA with a large fleet of seven vehicles. The absolute highlights were four world premieres: ComfortClass models S 511 HD, S 515 MD and S 519 HD, as well as the low-entry S 416 LE business from the MultiClass. As well, three vehicles with very attractive fittings and amenities were presented for the first time in this form over the past year: the TopClass S 431 DT double-decker, a MultiClass S 415 UL business with the Kinemaxx 300 wheelchair lift and a TopClass S 516 HDH with the new “Voyage Ambassador” seating. Over and above their exceptionally luxurious upholstery, these offer passengers unusually wide seats – providing the ultimate in support and comfort. At several service desks, customers and prospective customers had an opportunity to inform themselves on the FleetBoard telematics system and the services and support offered by the OMNIplus service brand and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The Setra design experts were available to answer any questions regarding vehicle design. The BusStore pre-owned coach and bus brand presented itself for the first time at the IAA. Many interested visitors found their way to the new stand in the outdoor area. The OMNIplus CaféBar was a popular meeting point away from the hustle and bustle of the exhibition.

Autocar Expo, Lyon (France) 10/15-18/2014 The Autocar Expo in Lyon is the major national trade show for school buses, as well as overland and touring coaches in France. It experienced its fourth edition in 2014. Along with French visitors, also from the Antilles and Réunion Island, guests from Italy and Switzerland attended the exhibition this year, as well as many journalists. In Hall 6 of the Eurexpo fairgrounds, 90 exhibitors presented their goods on an area of 19,000 square metres at the four-day event. Setra was represented together with its sister brand Mercedes-Benz at a 1,280-square-metre stand and with three coach models: the 10.5-m-long S 511 HD club coach and the S 516 MD middle-decker from the ComfortClass, as well as the new low-floor S 416 LE business from the MultiClass. Moreover, customers could seek advice on both interior and exterior fittings for their future Setra coach. OMNIplus services and the pre-owned coach and bus offerings from BusStore also met with great interest. Visitors to the stand were treated to snacks and refreshments. And, on 17 October, they were invited to an evening event, which showcased the longest ever world coach tour undertaken by the Avanti travel company in Freiburg, Germany.

Persontrafik, Stockholm (Sweden) 10/28-30/2014 In 2014, Scandinavia’s most important trade fair for public transporta-tion was once again held in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. Setra exhibited its entire selection of equipment variants based on two TopClass S 431 DT double-deckers – from a comfortable line vehicle, through to a truly luxurious touring coach. Along with the standard line version of the S 431 DT with a raised roof (see article on page 32), the long-distance line version was presented with comfortable 2+1 seating and several extras. FleetBoard, OMNIplus, BusStore and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services were also represented. Cheesecake, a delightful Swedish specialty, was the star at the stand’s visitor café. An evening event at the stand invited guests to network in a relaxed environment.

FIAA, Madrid (Spain) 10/28-31/2014 Again this year, the FIAA International Bus & Coach Exhibition attracted thousands of visitors to Madrid and, of course, Setra was on site with its latest models. Over 1,500 square metres of exhibition space, guests had an opportunity to discover the new long-wheelbase version of the ComfortClass 500, the S 519 HD – along with an S 517 HD, an S 431 DT double-decker coach and the popular S 516 HDH. In the outside area, the new S 415 UL business and an S 516 MD middle- decker were available for viewing and test drives. The OMNIplus service brand presented its extensive range of services. At the BusStore information desk, and with the help of the sales team, visitors had an opportunity to search for pre-owned vehicles directly online. Some also took advantage of the opportunity to have a look at the pre-owned coaches at the BusStore location just ten kilometres from Madrid.

Upcoming exhibitions

Setra shows & exhibitionsThe host of world premieres goes on. At this year’s international shows and exhibitions, it was mostly

the vehicle innovations which were in the foreground. Here is an overview of upcoming Setra events

and recent show highlights.

Setra Get-togethers | 2322 | Setra Get-togethers

The venue for the FIAA Spanish Bus & Coach Exhibition is Madrid

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Setra Service & support | 25

A t BusStore, the international pre-owned vehicle brand, you’ll find the best pre-owned coaches and

buses from the Setra and Mercedes-Benz brands, as well as from other manufacturers – quickly and easily. A new vehicle classification now provides enhanced direction and guidance when selecting a vehicle. Before they are ready to be sold through BusStore, all pre-owned vehicles are inspected professionally during an uncompromising quality check, and they are then awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze classification. For ‘young’ pre-owned vehicles with Gold classification, there are now special OMNIplus service contracts in Germany. Along with maintenance appointments as per manufacturer specifications, attractive fixed monthly instalments ensure that the scope of maintenance and repair measures can be individually tailored to your vehicle. The new vehicle classification was introduced at all 17 BusStore locations in Europe. For BusStore customers, the search for a safe, pre-owned coach or bus that meets their specific quality requirements and budget is now easier than ever. They can fully count on purchasing a vehicle that is in good order and working condition. The offerings at all locations can be found at www.bus-store.com.

Bronze: Reliable quality The Bronze classification is available for pre-owned vehicles from all manufacturers and delivers the following performance characteristics: • Technical inspection is done as per BusStore standards. • Vehicles are roadworthy and thoroughly cleaned.

Silver: Good quality The Silver classification is awarded for pre-owned coaches and buses of all brands. It includes these features: • Vehicles are up to six years old. • Maximum mileage is 500,000 km. • Technical inspection is done as per BusStore standards. • Vehicles are roadworthy and visually detailed. • The TÜV approval is current. • Tires exhibit at least 50% of their new condition.

Gold: Excellent quality The Gold classification is only given to pre-owned vehicles from Setra and Mercedes-Benz. It is characterised by the following features: • Vehicles are up to three years old. • Maximum mileage is 300,000 km. • Technical inspection is done as per BusStore standards. • Vehicles are visually detailed both inside and outside to a

high quality standard. • All required repairs and services were performed as per

BusStore standards. • TÜV approval is current. • Tires exhibit at least 60% of their new condition. • A service contract can be concluded. • The BusStore warranty applies to the power train.

The new BusStore classification scheme

makes the search for a pre-owned

vehicle even more transparent and safe.

T he Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) topic was one of the key areas Daimler Buses focused on at this year’s IAA exhibition. The term refers to the ongoing costs incurred throughout a

coach’s entire service life. Optimising the overall efficiency of its coaches – taking into account all major cost dimensions – is also a key objective at Setra. Fuel-saving engines, long maintenance intervals and reliable workmanship make themselves felt very clearly on an operator’s bottom line. What exactly is behind a coach’s TCO, what are the key factors that make up the cost of your coach, and how can you as a coach operator make your costs more transparent while reducing them, all these questions are addressed in the new Setra Web Special (www.setra-bus.com).

Four categories of costs A great majority of a coach’s cost components cannot be influenced, or only minimally. This applies, for example, to taxes or tolls. Others, however, can be optimised in a very targeted way. Setra splits the TCO into four categories: Investment, Fuel Consumption, Repairs and Maintenance, as well as Residual Value. In the Web Special, these positions are incorporated into a landscape. In the individual categories of the Web Special, the viewer will discover numerous technologies and tools developed to reduce the TCO. In the Investment category, for example, there’s information on tailor-made, coach-specific financing models developed by the

Mercedes-Benz Bank specialists. Or, you can access information on FleetBoard with, for instance, telematics-based consumption and operational analyses to optimise fuel consumption. In the Fuel Consumption category, there are specifics on an optimal drive train and the outstanding aerodynamics of Setra coaches. It is also explained how the Predictive Powertrain Control feature can save fuel. The OMNIplus driver training is another component, since well-trained drivers know how to drive their Setra coaches more economically. So you can not only save fuel, but also protect vehicle components. OMNIplus also plays a key role in the next category, which addresses Repairs and Maintenance. The most extensive coach- and bus-specific service network in Europe, the right service contracts, professional spare parts service, ServiceCard – the list goes on. The next phase in a coach’s service life can also be explored: BusStore can take the used coach as a down-payment, while ensuring fair repurchase value and a high level of transparency during the vehicle trade-in process. Coach and bus buyers and sellers are in the best of hands with this brand. Setra minimises the Total Cost of Ownership with a combination of state-of-the-art vehicle technology and a comprehensive range of services. The new Web Special offers several tips and suggestions on how coach and bus operators can take advantage of this offering.

24 | Setra Service & support

The cost landscape A vehicle’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a key consideration for all coach operators. A new

Web Special at www.setra.de offers numerous suggestions on minimising fleet costs.

The TCO Web Special is currently available in English and German at

www.setra-bus.com. Further languages are

planned.

For more guidance when buying pre-owned vehicles

26 | Setra Horizons

H ow can you serve your passengers exceptional snacks along the way? We asked star chef Hubert

Obendorfer what options the Setra “Bistro-bus” galley can offer with its on-board equipment – from the boiler, to the microwave and the convection oven. The result is that you can conjure up great culinary delights that go far beyond sausages, burgers or sandwiches – even in the smallest space. The star chef has a wealth of creative ideas for original on-board cuisine with which travel providers can offer their guests an unmatched food experience, while increasing customer loyalty and differentiating them-selves from the competition. The key word here is ‘finger food’: elegant little soups served in a glass or cup, rolled crepes with dipping sauce, delicious quiche variations from the convection oven – almost anything is possible. Delicious snacks can be prepared with just a few basic ingredients. The star chef recom-mends: “If you put together a small ‘pantry’ of basic ingredients, you can combine them in different ways and you’ll have several options to play with. Take, for example, your basic quark and cream cheese with which

For Hubert Obendorfer, hotel chef and star chef from the Bavarian region of Neunburg, gastronomy is both a calling and a passion. His love of high-quality, fresh

produce is reflected in his lovingly prepared finger food creations

You offer your guests premium-level comfort, but what about the dining experience? Can your on-board kitchen keep pace? Star chef Hubert Obendorfer presents gourmet cuisine ideas for a truly pampered traveller experience.

Setra Horizons | 27

Culinary delights on board

you can prepare fine creams and dips. Add-ons like pesto, salsa, mustards, tomato paste, herbs and spices give these milk products new flavours, to which you can add sliced vegetable or fruit, such as bell pepper, arugula, mango or pear – for an original and individual note. Combining low-fat quark cheese, arugula or ‘rocket’, pine nuts, pecorino and a few spices, for example, the star chef creates a spicy cream for tasty little Tramezzini sandwiches. As an alternative to the rocket pesto, he combines the quark with crème fraiche, mayonnaise, lime juice, Pernod and trout caviar – another mouth- watering filling for the mini Tramezzini. This cream is also wonderful as a dip for small, stuffed rolled crepes with smoked salmon. Another delicious option is an avocado-cucumber cream.

Adapting your offering to the travel destination A selection of culinary options inspired by the destination itself makes for a nice change – with either Italian antipasti or mini calzones, or perhaps with exclusive French canapés that promise to delight even the most discerning guests. Hubert Obendorfer believes that combining

international influences with finger food greatly adds to the appeal, while expanding the possibilities for different creations. Many foods can also be easily prepared in advance. Ragouts or little stews are ideal for instance. “If you pack the ragout in vacuum bags, they can be easily heated in the microwave. Then you can simply portion the sauce, season it or maybe add some fresh herbs,” comments the professional chef. “Dishes such as these are perfect for travelling. If you add to this a little consommé with a few vegetable strips, it makes for a really wonderful snack.” A cauliflower and saffron soup with strips of ham, or a cold gazpacho soup with crispy strips of bell pepper, are sure to charm guests. It is generally a good idea to serve smaller items a little more often. It tends to shorten the “perceived” travel time and gives guests a feeling of being pampered. Fruit are ideal as a small amuse-gueule: for example, diced melon with parmesan chips, and just a splash of balsamic vinegar.

A feast for the eyesToday, you can find a wonderful selection of finger food accessories to serve small snacks. Hubert Obendorfer adds: “What makes finger food ideal is that it is enjoyed in two or three bites, so all you really need is a fork or spoon. I find wooden cutlery very suitable for travelling. I’m even fine with certain plastic dishes. Although I don’t like plastic skewers. A lovely wooden fork is very acceptable and works well with 90 per cent of the snacks you’ll be serving.” With a little creativity, you can meet the highest standards of travel comfort in the Setra “Bistrobus” on-board kitchen. With quality ingredients, you can even prepare sophisticated dishes using a sausage boiler – beginning with organic meat and vegetables in a whole grain bun or roll, and transforming a simple sausage into a lifestyle product. The professional coffee maker on board will create a delightful afternoon cappuccino, accompanied by muffins or cupcakes. For the guest, this can all transform the journey into the ultimate feel-good experience. Packed lunches and hot dogs were yesterday – the new trend is called “Road Cuisine”.

28 | Setra Horizons Setra Horizons | 29

Mackerel and cucumber skewers, a hearty, fresh appetizer served on ‘Pumpernickel sand’

The “double-waved” pizza is topped with bacon and diced onions

Quiche variations with tomato-olive, salmon-leek and tuna-onion

Hubert Obendorfer’s gourmet restaurant – Eisvogel – has already been rewarded with a Michelin star, and Gault Millau last rated it with 15 points and 2 red toques

Hubert ObendorferAs an ambitious hotelier and award-winning chef, Hubert Obendorfer is, to say the least, passionate about food. His career has taken him to many top restaurants and star kitchens. Most recently, he was deputy head chef at the famous Rafael München luxury hotel, now the Hotel Mandarin Oriental – before he went into business himself twelve years ago. His “Birkenhof in Neunburg vorm Wald” country hotel is located amidst the idyllic Upper Palatinate lake landscape in Bavaria. He offers true “star” cuisine in his four-star hotel: in late 2008, Hubert Obendorfer was awarded a Michelin star for his Eisvogel gourmet restaurant, which he has defended successfully until today. Moreover, he has inspired audiences of the Radio Charivari Munich station in over 150 cooking programs with gourmet kitchen tips. As an author, the star chef has also written several cookbooks – including “Small & Fine – Fingerfood”, published by Matthaes in 2012, which offers many more suggestions for mouth-watering “Busbistro” cuisine.

30 | Setra Get-togethers

“SAD Prievidza’s focus on new, high-quality coaches is absolutely essential. Especially if we hope to achieve a larger share of foreign travel to Western

Europe,” explained Michal Danko. Last year, SAD Prievidza acquired its first two S 515 HD coaches. The positive experiences with the ComfortClass 500 strongly encouraged Danko to purchase more Setra coaches.

T he Slovakian SAD Prievidza transport company ordered no less than five new S 515 HD coaches from Setra. At an event in

Bratislava, Michal Danko, Managing Director of SAD Prievidza, was handed the symbolic key to the vehicles by Andrej Glatz, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Slovakia. It is the largest order to date for Setra in Slovakia.SAD Prievidza has been mainly active in regional transport for 65 years. And now the company would like to increase its share of foreign travel to Western Europe. To this end, the ComfortClass 500 fulfils all expectations, needs and requirements, and especially with regard to consumption, safety and reliability. The coaches are fully air-conditioned and equipped with very comfortable seats, LCD screens, tinted side windows and refrigerators.

T he Swiss Zerzuben Touristik AG bus operator in Visp in the Swiss Valais

region took over 15 new Setra coaches from Neu-Ulm. With the four S 431 DT double- deckers and eleven vehicles from the ComfortClass 500 range, the tour operator has undertaken a complete renewal of its

fleet. Zerzuben now boasts the most modern and environmentally friendly fleet of coaches in Switzerland.The four-star coaches can accommodate 44 (S 515 HD), 48 (S 516 HD) and 78 (S 431 DT) passengers with a seat pitch of no less than 83 cm. But most of all, it was the combination of environmentally friendly Euro VI engine technology and the

extensive security package, with the Electronic Stability Programme, Active Brake Assist and Lane Assist, that convinced Zerzuben that Setra was the way to go.The first vehicles have already been in use on all of Zerzuben’s coach tours across Europe since May. These include spa trips, music tours, pilgrimages as well as customised group tours. “For me, these vehicles are the absolute premium products out there. They will help us further improve our already high standard of tours,” says Kurt Zerzuben, Senior Director of the family-owned company founded in 1966. Zerzuben is planning total fleet replacements every four years.

On course for growth with Setra

The most modern coach fleet in Switzerland

S indbad, a Polish coach operator, has expanded its fleet with five ComfortClass 500 coaches: two

S 515 HDs, an S 516 HD and two S 517 HDs. The vehicles

are part of an order for a total of 19 Setra coaches which Sindbad will be receiving this year. In June 2013, the company had already put into service six new Comfort-Class 500 coaches.Ryszard Wójcik, Sindbad’s sole owner, has been placing his confidence in the outstanding reliability of Setra coaches and buses for 16 years. “The technological standard of Setra vehicles and the high level of comfort for passengers and drivers, on the sometimes very long trips to Oslo or Italy, simply can’t be topped. And it also ensures solid backing for our line business,” says Wójcik.With a fleet of over 200 Setra coaches, Sindbad is one of the largest international long-distance service providers in Europe. Sindbad’s long-distance network covers 320 cities in 20 European countries and close to 200 cities in Poland. The company, which was founded in 1983, is Poland’s most long-standing travel operator. In addition to its long-distance lines, Sindbad organises tourism and business events, school excursions and trips to major sporting events.

Sindbad’s Setra fleet continues to grow

N obody really likes letting go of the key to their Setra, do they? The cockpit isn’t easy for non-specialists to operate without

instructions anyway. So whoever is responsible for cleaning carpets and upholstery in the operator’s maintenance hall, or whoever takes care of waste disposal or simply wants to make a quick inspection, doesn’t necessarily need the ignition key. For cases such as these, on request, the interior lighting can be switched on in Setra coaches without using the ignition key. The optional switch for vehicle cleaning lighting is what makes it all possible: connected to terminal 30 on continuous current, it enables the interior lighting of the coach to be switched on – while everything else remains off. So the ignition key won’t be needed to vacuum the interior. The switch also has another advantage: it saves energy. Except for the interior lighting, no other components are switched on. There aren’t any fans running un-necessarily and using up the battery. So, when ordering your next Setra, if you decide on this very practical switch for vehicle cleaning

T he ComfortClass 500 provides up to six service panels to access the battery compartment, the main switchboard and additional storage spaces. These

storage spaces come standard with a locking system whereby each panel has a mechanical lock. Along with the electronic key to start the vehicle, there is a conventional key for the front door and the service panels – a practical and efficient system. If the service panels are accessed frequently, it may be even more convenient and faster, if they are equipped with an optional handle. It is the same handle that is used for the luggage compartment panels. On request, the handles can either be provided with conventional locks, connected to the central locking system, or equipped with a combination of central locking and a lock. However, the service panel to access the vehicle batteries is equipped in any case with a mechanical lock for emergency unlocking if the vehicle is without power.

lighting, you can even select which lights are to be activated by pressing the switch. From the reading lights, through ambient lighting, to the entrance lighting, absolutely anything is possible.

A brilliant

idea

Convenient, fast and secure

Setra Customised | 31

Imagine: your coach’s interior is well lit, while

everything else remains off – the optional

switch for “vehicle cleaning lighting” in Setra

coaches is not only convenient, it also saves

energy.

The service panels positioned over the wheel arches of the ComfortClass 500 feature mechanical

locks as standard equipment. If they are used often, it is well worth incorporating central locking.

T he high art of travel – there are times when it’s even higher than usual. The specifications may have sounded simple, but implementing them

was anything but. Bergkvarabuss, a Swedish company, wanted to deploy a double-decker coach on an overland line, and the contracting authority insisted on a high passenger capacity and a minimum standing height of 1.85 metres. Both don’t usually come together in a double-decker, since the maximum height of four metres sets strict limitations.

The solution: a central focus The only way to satisfy both requirements was to significantly increase the height of the roof. To lift the entire roof would have been disproportionately costly. So the Setra development team came up with the idea to raise the roof above the central aisle – perfect, especially

in conjunction with the optional glass roof in the panorama deck. This way, we were able to increase the height of the double-decker to 4.20 metres, which doesn’t require special authorisation in Sweden. From the outside, the roof increase of 20 centimetres is hardly noticeable: on the sides, design elements dress up the additional structure. Both at the front and the rear, the increase is subtle, since it only begins one metre behind or ahead of the front or rear edge of the roof. But under the glass roof, the increase is anything but inconspicuous. The standing height of the double-decker coach now adds up to 1.86 metres on the upper deck – even more than required. In combination with the glass roof and streamlined luggage racks, there is an unusually generous feeling of space in the upper deck – and the investment for changes in the coach frame and interior finishing appears quite manageable.

Optimising and adapting for new applications Backstage, however, the project presented its challenges: new calculations of the strength of the structure were necessary. The mounts in the frame construction had to be adapted for the “giant”, and attention had to be given to all the so-called details, such as the height of the hall doors. The double-decker isn’t only a high flyer because of its adapted roof. On the outside, passengers can find out where the coach is headed via a destination display on the front panel between the decks, and also via displays on the right side and at the rear. An external loudspeaker complements the system as another source of information. The double-decker was also ideally configured for line applications. On the inside, to facilitate passenger flow, Setra moved the front stairs to the upper deck to the right side just behind the first door. The attendant seat was easily eliminated, since it only serves as a folding seat on overland routes anyway. The kitchen in the lower deck was also eliminated as well as its doors. So the area originally reserved for the kitchen was transformed into a shelf system, allowing space for passengers to place their luggage. A widened version of the rear entrance door features a passage width of 1.15 metres. And, thanks to a folding ramp, a roll-in possibility for wheelchairs was created. The wheelchair parking space is located just to the right of the door, and equipped with airline rails in the floor and holding fixtures.

Superior comfort and an ideal overview The Setra Voyage touring seating model, with its high-level comfort, goes well beyond the standard seats available on overland coaches. Each double-seat features a 230-volt outlet for passengers to connect their electronic devices. And, thanks to interior displays in the upper and lower deck, they don’t have to worry about missing their stop. The driver, in turn, is kept aware of everything going on around him on board his double-decker coach: seven cameras monitor both upper and lower decks. Here, as well as in several other positions, you can easily feel the results of Setra’s more than 30 years of experience building double-decker coaches. Just as you can also sense the vast experience of the Bergkvara-buss company, Sweden’s largest private bus operation from Kalmar in the southern part of the country. Founded in 1975 with two coaches, the rapidly growing company now deploys over 900 vehicles, including several Setra coaches. This very unusual double-decker coach specimen won’t be alone for long, others with raised roofs will be following in its footsteps.

Sweden – a double-decker with an elevated roof:

Nothing is impossible – even when a customer wishes to exceed the magical height of four metres

for their coach. And that’s when Setra gets ready to top it up!

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Flying high with Setra

The standing height of the double- decker coach now adds up to 1.86 metres on the upper deck.

Here you can easily feel the results of Setra’s more than 30 years of experience building double- decker coaches.

The elevated double-decker doesn’t require special authorisation for line operation in Sweden, which was however necessary for test driving the coach, and especially for its transfer to Sweden

cross-sections – all with a clear focus on protecting the occupants. And thanks to this optimised body frame structure, today we can meet the “EU Rollover Directive” which will only be in force in 2017.

Are there as many robots used here in coach production as in car production? No, coaches are still for the most part produced with the craftsman- ship of our specialists. Only the “puncturing” of the coach roof in the square section profile of the frame is done by large machines. And where once staff sawed, milled or planed, CNC-controlled laser cutting machines now play the starring role. What they can’t offer, however, is quality-control expertise. And this is why there is always an employee, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of all production lines, who supervises the work of the robots.

Could it be that you haven’t yet told us about the real highlight in the production of the body frame? Yes, but only because it comes at the very end: the immersion of the finished frame in the cathodic dip coating (KTL) facility, the largest in Western Europe. A bath in the close to 400,000-litre tank guarantees perfect priming for a high-quality paintjob, and therefore ensures the superior corrosion resistance Setra coaches are known for – since the profiles of the frame can also be coated from the inside. Another significant advantage of the electrostatic painting process is its environmental friendliness. The waste water is cleaned in a separate water treatment plant and then fed back into the production process – under the watchful eye of our environmental management.

What happens now with the finished frame? It is loaded onto a transport unit on a freight train, which carries it – along the plant’s own track connection – to the EvoBus plant in Neu-Ulm, where the vehicle is assembled and painted.

So the employees here in Mannheim never actually see the completed coach in all its glory, do they? Unfortunately, they don’t. But everyone here is aware of how essential their work is for the exceptional longevity and high safety standards of all Setra coaches.

Factory tour – building the frames:

With factory tour guide Hans-Jürgen Janz through the EvoBus plant in Mannheim: this is where the

body frames for Setra coaches are produced – from the compact MultiClass S 415 UL all the way

through to the TopClass S 431 DT double-decker.

“Where the coach comes to life!”

Hans-Jürgen Janz, 66, was employed by Daimler/EvoBus as a mechanical engineering technician for over 48 years in production planning, in sales and later as head of factory tour services.

Here in the “dome”, by the way, the area is a guaranteed safety cell to the highest standards.


Mr Janz, here we are in the enormous frame-building hall. At the end of the line, what has been created is a finished coach frame, but where does the coach actually begin its life? The life of every Setra coach actually starts in the “supermarket”. This is what the workers at the Mannheim EvoBus plant call their parts warehouse. In over 500 square metres of space, there are square sections, castings, stampings and profiles in the most diverse batch sizes. Depending on the version description of the vehicle, the “supermarket” logistics experts place the parts together on a set-cart and bring these to the skilled welders at the stations on the production line, where they are then assembled into a coach frame – so the work is always in a state of flux.

So we’re talking about a classic division of labour ... ... exactly, as is the case throughout the entire production network at EvoBus. By the way, our tour will follow the path the coach takes through production.

So what happens with the individual parts from the “supermarket”? They are brought to the production line where the six-part coach frame is created. First of all, the base or substructure, which deter-mines, among other things, the length of the vehicle, the wheelbase and the position of the engine. In this line, the axle segments for the front and drive axle and, for some vehicles, for the trailing axle, are brought into position by large cranes and then assembled. At times, there are as many as 200 kilograms of goods swinging above us.

What happens to the finished chassis? Well, the left and right side panels arrive at the “dome”, a very large hydraulic device, and the front and rear segments are flange-mounted. The workers then mount the roof clamping devices. By hammering, the profiles are aligned to each other, and the workers weld the sections firmly together. It’s like a real puzzle. And the end result is the complete coach frame. Here in the “dome”, by the way, the area is a guaranteed safety cell to the highest standards. So, from the individual assembly unit through to the complete frame, including the axle segments, it all takes about an hour – at which point the coach has been given its shape and is ready to come to life!

In 1951, Otto Kässbohrer developed the revolutionary idea of the self-supporting structure with these production steps. What are the most current innovations in frame engineering? In the 500 series, for example, the frame is produced using high-strength steels, with new node elements and optimised pillar

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A short trip towards the sunshine with the MD

It doesn’t have to be far away to be wonderful. And short trips are increasingly in demand. A round

trip to Burgenland, in Austria, shows just how much there is to discover. And we’re on the road with

the new Setra ComfortClass 500 MD.

T he walls of the Forchtenstein castle rising up the rock above the village of the same name still appear impregnable. Since the 15th century, the fortress has withstood wind, weather

and battlers. Today, Forchtenstein houses the portrait gallery of the Esterházy princes and a baroque treasure that is so remarkable, it is considered a star highlight among the 60 fortresses, palaces and castles in Burgenland. But the region has much more to offer than its historic architectural wonders: with its numerous cultural, scenic, culinary and sporting experiences, the southeast region of Austria is in fact one of the multi-faceted areas of Central Europe. For instance, with its picturesque, almost Tuscan-style terraced landscape in the south and Lake Neusiedl, the surfing and water sports mecca, in the north. Or the rare fauna and flora species that are otherwise found only in the Asian steppe. And last but not least, with its 300 days of sunshine a year, which make for an almost Mediterranean climate in the warmest region of the country – and for wines that are world- renowned.

The Setra ComfortClass 500 MD: a perfect solution for short trips All of this makes Burgenland a showcase destination, especially for exciting short and day trips: for instance, to the Semmering Railway UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cities of Eisenstadt and Rust, castles such as Forchtenstein, to spas or to the countless award-winning vineyards and inns. All destinations can be reached within about an hour of travel time from Eisenstadt, the state capital. The new coaches from Setra are a perfect fit for this close-to-home kind of travel: the S 515 MD and MD S 516 are the middle-decker versions of the ComfortClass 500, the world’s most modern coach concept. And, let’s face it, even if the passenger only spends a few hours a day in the coach, cost-effectiveness, flexibility and comfort should meet the high standard of the best long-distance coaches. In upscale excursion travel, the practical strengths of the new Setra ComfortClass 500 MD, whose basic equipment already meets very

high standards, quickly become clear. With a slightly reduced luggage compartment volume, it is ideally sized. And the aerodynamics and technology of the Comfort-Class 500 “consumption champions” combine high-level efficiency with a lower weight. Also, the standard-equip-ment air conditioning with dual-zone control, and optional features such as a level floor, infotainment equipment, Setra touring seats available in several design and upholstery options, and the 2+1 VIP seating, all together meet very discerning requirements in comfort and ergonomics. Especially the optional staggered seats with their controls for seat adjustment set the standard in its class. Furthermore, the ComfortClass 500 MD coaches offer maximum passive safety with the Front Collision Guard (FCG) and structural strength which is compliant to the latest standards. This is further supported by the optional active safety systems, such as Lane Assist (SPA), Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA 3)*, Attention Assist (AtAs) and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The Comfort-Class 500 MD also delivers excellent variability: with its different central or rear doors and a wide selection of drive trains, it enables a large range of applications. Equally convincing is the Euro VI motorisation: the 260 kW OM 936 takes on the hills of Burgenland just as smoothly as it does the mountain passes of the nearby Alps – and all the while with exemplary fuel economy. * ABA 2 until March 2015

Short trips are a popular trend The trend towards short trips has been shaping the travel industry for years. In fact, every fifth German was away several times in 2013. Many vacationers save on their main summer holiday to be able to go away again for a

few days or a weekend in the autumn and spring. It would appear that these days, taking more frequent short trips is better than lying on a beach for weeks. The selection of short trips and weekend packages is therefore greater than ever before. In Burgenland as well, where coach travellers can experience the exceptionally varied landscapes on the region’s many country roads: with lush green meadows, plains and rolling hills. The Alpine foothills in the north protect visitors from inclement west weather, as they lead to the Pannonian Plain, which stretches to the east towards Romania and to the south to Serbia. A typical soft breeze pleasantly cools Burgen-land even in the summer months. The traveller’s view wanders beyond forests, hills, fortresses and lakes. And, with a deep sense of calm, real relaxation is always felt quickly. But nonetheless, right around the corner, many different activities are available: hiking, horseback riding, biking, golfing, surfing, sailing and bird watching over 340 bird species.

Burgenland: natural, cultural and always enjoyable One of the most popular day-trips in Burgenland is the Lutzmannsburg thermal spa, located about 50 kilometres south of the Forchtenstein castle. Inside, it offers bathing fun for the whole family, and just outside its front door is a 45-km-long network of trails for inline skating or tours with Segway electric scooters. For those who would like to explore the heights, planning a hike across the Alpan- nonia trail with all the great views it offers is a great idea. And a little exercise will be a welcome relief, since the Burgenland meadows, lakes, vineyards and orchards provide a rich culinary offering: when ham from naturally raised pork, fillets from the Zickentaler oxen, fish from Lake Neusiedl, sun-ripened apricot and, of course,

Setra Travel in style | 3938 | Setra Travel in style

In upscale excursion travel, the practical strengths of the new Setra Comfort- Class 500 MD quickly become clear.

What’s new at the

Setra Shop

the many first-class locally produced wines, such as the “Blaufränkischer” or “Blauer Zweigelt”, are on the table, even the most discerning connoisseur is delighted.The trend towards close-to-home holidays is far from being an isolated phenomenon. In other industries, we’re also seeing that customers are making smaller circles around their centre of their lives. This social transformation of values is reflected in a trend referred to as “localisation”, which describes the increased consumption of locally produced food, building materials and furniture – with clear benefits for the environment, climate protection, resources and local economic structures. Consumers who opt for local producers and suppliers experience strengthened trust, identification with products and enhanced quality of life. Nowhere is this personal dimension as pronounced as in close-to-home holidays. Whereas for decades, very-long-distance travel was in fashion, we now recognise that there is so much waiting to be discovered just outside our front door.

You need impressive travel comfort: even on short trips For those who travel from the west towards Lake Neusiedl in the evening, over the Parndorfer plate and then to the Seewinkel lowlands with its vineyards, Burgenland transforms itself in a region that feels like it should be several degrees of latitude south. Thanks to

almost non-stop sunshine, visitors to the lake region usually enjoy a mild autumn. The smooth water surface reflects the last clouds of the day, as the breathtaking game of the setting sun begins. Sailboats swing gently in the soft wind in front of the reed belt. Then, there it is again, this enchanting tranquillity. And everything seems possible for the coming day. Perhaps something com- pletely different than experienced today? Burgenland, with its many facets, offers something relaxing and something exciting for everyone. The new Setra S 515 MD and S 516 MD fit perfectly into the zeitgeist with its focus on local and regional attrac-tions. Especially when Burgenland opens up such a richly colourful panorama in unspoiled nature. And also because the travel alternatives have never been as numerous as they are today, coach travel needs to offer passengers compelling value. Especially for travellers with little vacation time, every moment has to deliver pure relaxation. And, of course, this includes the journey on the coach between two attractions. As a functional touring coach for close-to-home destinations, the new middle-deckers combine all the requirements for short- and mid-distance travel, with many strengths of the higher ComfortClass HD segment. From shuttle service through long-distance applications to comfortable short trips, entering the world of Setra coaches has never been more cost-effective or more flexible.

40 | Setra Travel in style

Entering the world of Setra coaches has never been more cost-effective or more flexible.

J ust in time for the world premiere of the MultiClass S 416 LE business at the 2014 IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in

Hanover, the new low-entry overland bus from Setra is available as a true-to-original 1:87 scale model. Setra friends and collectors can look forward to a highly realistic replica of the service vehicle. The first edition of the model is being introduced with elegant Night Gold Metallic paint, with which the vehicle celebrated its world premiere at the IAA. The bus model, which is manufactured by AWM, is packaged in a Setra folding box with a window. It is now available online at the Setra Shop.Article number 1579 for 14.85 € plus shipping

In addition to coach and bus models and high-quality Setra-branded clothing, the Setra Shop also features a large selection of useful accessories. The exclusive Setra “Heritage” keychain is a new item which, with the famous Kässbohrer “K”, identifies its carrier as a real fan of the brand. Double-sided embossing gives the “K” logo an elegant three-dimensional look. Just like on our touring coach’s steering wheel, the “K” is highlighted with Setra red paint. The keychain pendant, in nickel-plated brass, is hand-polished and has a

diameter of about 38 mm. Several keys can be comfortably secured on the 30 mm key ring. Article number 687 for 14.90 € plus shipping Both items, along with many more great Setra products, can be ordered online from https://shop.setra.de

New: the S 416 LE business, also available as a true-to-original model at the Setra Shop

The Setra “Heritage” keychain with its elegant relief embossed logo


Welcome to the Setra Family

T he Setra Vintage Coach Collection is as old as some of its exhibits. In the early 1970s, those responsible in Ulm, Germany, were on the lookout for well-preserved specimens.

By exhibiting the most important historic models, the plan was to bring the brand’s heritage to life for future generations. And coin-cidence occasionally helped in the search for fine specimens in perfect condition. And Otto Kässbohrer made a find himself when on vacation at his favourite resort in Lindau on Lake Constance. As usual, the legendary coach builder took advantage of his holiday time to visit Setra customers. One of them was Fritz Moser, a coach operator who had impressed Kässbohrer since the late 1960s with the loving care he bestowed on his Setra S 10, built in 1955, and which he had named “Der liebe Augustin” (Dear Augustin). Moser used the coach exclusively for summer trips, and stored it carefully in a warm building during the winter. In 1975, Moser was close to retiring and liquidating his company, and Kässbohrer suggested he take over the Setra S 10. Thanks to Moser’s regular maintenance, Otto Kässbohrer was buying back a coach that was very close to being in its original condition. “From the trim to the seats, the floor to the cockpit, all the way through to the vehicle’s overall technical condition: after having travelled no less than 600,000 kilometres, the coach was impeccable,” remembers Peter Halder, today a Setra distributor, and at the time, the Setra employee who was in charge of the transfer.

For 20 years, only the boss drove the S 10 Fritz Moser, coach operator in the summer and heating oil supplier in the winter, had decided to transfer his 20-year-old S 10 with the unusual name back to Setra. But the trip from Lindau to Ulm began with difficulties that bore witness to Fritz Moser’s passion for coaches. “He didn’t really trust me when I arrived to pick up his beloved Augustin,” says Halder. Until then, Moser had never let another driver behind the wheel. So, on that April day in 1975, he first wanted to assess Peter Halder’s driving skills. He sat down in the attendant’s seat, and had his wife follow the coach on its way from Lindau to Ulm. After a few kilometres, the young Setra driver had passed the senior’s test and Moser joined his wife in their “Pretzel” beetle. “I could understand exactly how he felt. After all, he had

lovingly cared for and meticulously taken care of his coach for years,” Peter Halder recalls.

Delivering superior quality since its launch in 1953 Moser’s exceptional coach was a perfect fit to the superior quality of the S 10. When it was introduced in 1953, both experts and customers were immediately impressed: with its ten rows of seats and aisle seats which were still allowed at the time, it offered space for up to 52 passengers. The 9.85-metre-long coach was driven by a 125-hp, six-cylinder Henschel diesel engine. As well, the newly patented, pneumatically operated Kässbohrer outward-swinging door celebrated its premiere in the S 10 for use on line vehicles. As the brand’s second self-supporting coach model built, it became a 50s’ best-seller. Also, the legacy of the 10 series, for which the cost-effective modular principle had been integrated to production beginning in 1959, is not to be underestimated. Production could be increased to four vehicles a day. 80 per cent of the components for models S 9, S 10, S 11, S 12, S 14 and S 15 were identical. Both state-run and private coach operators were therefore able to significantly reduce their spare parts inventory. And this pioneering accomplishment on the part of Otto Kässbohrer continues to shape the entire European coach and bus industry.

Along the German Alpine Road with “Der liebe Augustin” Fritz Moser, the coach operator, had insisted on individualising his S 10: for the windscreen, he ordered a “Dächle” (official Setra description: “a parasol on the front roof dome”). On the side of the coach, he mounted a “Der liebe Augustin” inscription which he had found on a used Mercedes bus. The unusual name, by the way, goes back to a secret lover of the Abbess Friederike von Bretzenheim from the city of Constance, Germany. With his S 10, Fritz Moser covered mostly day trips in the Lindau region and excursions along the German Alpine Road. As a veteran of the Setra Vintage Coach Collection, “Der liebe Augustin” is still on the road today. It usually travels to festivals, fairs and shows, where it impressively bears witness to the exceptional durability of Setra coaches – while bringing back memories of the “Wirtschaftswunderzeit” or, the times of German economic growth after World War II.

Setra Heritage – Vintage Coach Collection – the Setra S 10:

The S 10 was a bestseller that revolutionised coach construction. And the model from the Setra

Collection, built in 1955, tells a very unique story: Otto Kässbohrer himself suggested buying it back

in 1975 to keep the brand’s heritage alive.


Otto Kässbohrer and “Der liebe Augustin”

“From the trim to the seats, the floor to the cockpit, all the way through to the vehicle’s overall technical condition: after having travelled no less than 600,000 kilometres, the coach was impeccable.”

The perfectly manicured interior of the Setra S 10 is in unrestored original condition

Otto Kässbohrer (l.) and bus operator Fritz Moser (r.) in 1975 in front of “Der liebe Augustin”, a Setra S 10

W hen the going gets really tough, having the right partner is decisive. For example, when an original spare part needs to be

found as soon as possible to repair a coach. In situations such as these, no one is as close to the customer as the coach and bus specialists from OMNIplus with their pan-European 24-hour shipping. As you would expect, time pressure is a constant companion to these service and logistics experts. This is why the Hoerdt OMNIplus BusPort in Strasbourg has also sped up its supply chain since February. Important freight deliveries were converted to an express service, with extended ordering times. Orders can now be made, by phone, fax or e-mail, until at least 17:00 rather than only until 13:00 in the past. And parts can now be delivered to the customer’s workshop as early as the next morning. Their partner company, Night Star Express, transports the goods through the night with its fleet of Sprinter vans – quickly and safely – from the Spare Parts Logistics Centre in Neu-Ulm. In Hoerdt, Alsace, the parts are then received between four and six in the morning. Because they can now be quickly booked for re-dispatching, delivery to the customer can take place immediately – with a delivery window between eight and ten o’clock in the morning. The spare part can be installed directly, and ideally the repair can be completed the same day, so the coach can get back on the road as quickly as possible. Express service reduces downtime “So far we have had only very positive experiences with this optimised, advanced supply chain – with our carriers, our internal logistics and, of course, with our customers,” says Didier Vogt, head of the Hoerdt OMNIplus BusPort in Strasbourg, the first location in France to offer this service. His customers also confirm this: “With the

morning delivery, we can begin the repair immediately, so that the coach or bus can get back on the road as quickly as possible,” says Damien Muller, workshop manager at the “Compagnie des Transports du Bas-Rhin”. The subsidiary of the Strasbourg transport company deploys 123 Setra coaches in the French border region. And, according to Damien Muller, the reduced downtimes result in a clear economic benefit. His colleague Taoufik Mazouzi from the LK Kunegel touring company in Colmar is also impressed with the new service: “Often enough, during a repair, you find out that you need another replacement part. The fact that we can now order up to 17:00 represents an enormous time and cost saving. The part is ready and waiting the next morning and can be installed the very same day.”

Flexibility begins at the OMNIplus Spare Parts Logistics Centre The backbone of this highly flexible supply chain is the OMNIplus Spare Parts Logistics Centre in Neu-Ulm. Whether an exhaust pipe, brake pads or cylinder, more than 130,000 genuine parts are warehoused here and this guarantees an availability of close to 100 per cent. For commonly used parts that go as far back as 15 years. And in a quality that is always on the cutting edge of technology. Since all parts are basically standard parts, they deliver tight tolerances, high fitting accuracy and material safety. With its highly intelligent stock control system tailored to the specific requirements of the coach business, and the over 200 specially trained staff, the Spare Parts Logistics Centre represents a perfectly organised back-up for each and every Setra customer – offline and online. The OMNIplus OnlineShops offer all the benefits of a professional online shopping cart system. At www.omniplus.com/uk/shops users can run a quick search on part numbers and descriptions, an online availability check at the service centre, a display of special prices, exchange parts, recycled parts, individual discounts and much more. And of course, over and above the express deliveries with their reduced window of only 15 hours, the tried and tested services are still available. The transport of normal restocking and bulky parts by freight carrier is, of course, still possible – as an economical alternative, if there is no hurry.

For even more flexibility in the supply of spare parts:

OMNIplus has extended its ordering hours at its

Hoerdt BusPort in Alsace, France, and streamlined

parts management. This saves customers both time

and money.


Service für Ihren Mercedes-Benz Omnibus

44 | Setra Service & support

“The part is ready and

waiting the next morning

and can be installed the

very same day.”

A new service at the Hoerdt OMNIplus BusPort:

Express delivery of spare parts

T he Kässbohrer Haus, also called the “Haus zur Weinreibe”, is located right at the centre of Ulm’s historic area, in the fishermen’s district. It

was built around 1480 as a residential home, even before the completion of the Ulm cathedral. It is Karl Kässbohrer’s ancestral home, the founder of the later “Kässbohrer Vehicle Works” (“Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke”). For close to 20 years, the Kässbohrer Haus has served as a meeting place for customers, guests and employees of the EvoBus company. The Setra exhibition, which showcases the development and heritage surrounding the Kässbohrer family and the history of Setra brand, is also at home there. The historic exhibition is on the

ground floor of the building. The lives of the company founder Karl Kässbohrer, at that time still written with an “ß”, and his son Otto Kässbohrer, are both in the foreground of the exhibition. The Karl Kässbohrer room is dedicated to the far-reaching family history and the origins of the “Kässbohrer Vehicle Works”. Karl Kässbohrer, born in 1864 as the third son of an Ulm shipbuilder family, learned the wagon-building trade, and founded his own company in 1893. A Kässbohrer hand-cart from this period is the focus of the exhibition room. Early on, Kässbohrer was known for his high-quality coaches. Beginning in 1907, he also built superstructures for trucks. A milestone in the company‘s history was the first coach, the “Wiblinger Auto“, which Kässbohrer built for the Ulm–Wiblingen line in 1911. From then on, the company focused on the construction

of bodies and superstructures for motorised commercial vehicles. The sudden death of the founder in 1922 marked a decisive turning point in the history of the Käss-bohrer company. From that point on, sons Karl and Otto steered the development of the family business. While Karl was responsible for commercial vehicles and trailers, Otto took over the car and coach business, which the second part of the exhibition is dedicated to in the Otto Käss- bohrer room. Here, visitors can follow development of coaches since the 1920s via displays and photographs. In the first decades, Kässbohrer used the chassis from various truck manufacturers as the platform for his coaches. But the lack of truck chassis during the reconstruction years after the Second World War forced Kässbohrer to come up with a new concept. In 1951, a coach was created with a self-supporting body – and this was the birth of Setra. With its lightweight and sturdy design, the Setra S 8 revolutionised coach manufacturing.

The S 8 can be seen as a model in the exhibition, along with other legendary Setra coaches, such as the Golden Eagle, an overland coach engineered for the USA, the first articulated coach from 1953, or 12-metre long Setra S 14 from 1961. These are the models of the original “metre coaches” (“Meterbusse”) with which Otto Kässbohrer used to present the vehicles to his customers. In the Kässbohrer Haus, visitors can sense the spirit of the Setra brand everywhere. Along with the exhibition, the renovated half-timbered house offers a modern conference area for lectures, workshops and meetings upstairs. This is where events with customers as well as internal EvoBus meetings and workshops take place.The Kässbohrer Haus is generally not open to the public. Rather, it serves as a meeting place for customers and employees. A Setra representative will be pleased to provide information on visitation opportunities.

Setra Heritage – a historic exhibition at the Kässbohrer Haus:

In a redesigned exhibition, the Kässbohrer

Haus in Ulm, Germany, takes a look back at the

history of the Kässbohrer family business and

the birth of the Setra brand.

The cradle of the Setra brand

In the Kässbohrer Haus, visitors can sense the spirit of the Setra brand everywhere.

The Kässbohrer Haus, historically also known as the “Haus zur Weinrebe”, is located in the “Saumarkt” in the middle of the old town of Ulm, the fishing district

The Kässbohrer Haus is also used for events such as meetings, conferences and press briefings


I t’s just a handful of words. And yet, along with the logo, they make up one of the most important components in building a brand. A good brand slogan clearly communicates the benefits and image of a brand – in a way that is

concise and unmistakable. After all, distinguishing yourself from the competition takes much more than just a great product. The customer needs to immediately understand how your offering differs from that of the competition. An effective slogan is therefore a key component in brand communication.

A slogan? So what’s it all about? The new “The Sign of Excellence.” brand slogan describes the factual and emotional added value of the Setra brand in the shortest possible way. With expertise and passion, coaches are created to delight and inspire customers with their design and comfort. And you immediately understand what Setra is all about: the coach brand that satisfies the most discerning standards.

What speaks in favour of the new “The Sign of Excellence.” slogan Setra is a specialist in coaches and buses. It understands the market and customer needs like no other. This is reflected in tailor-made, high-quality vehicle offerings with which a coach operator can make a clear statement, set a bench-mark and cost-effectively bring their individual business model to life. The new “The Sign of Excellence.” slogan very deliberately focuses more closely on the fascination of the brand, placing values such as perfection, aesthetics and comfort in the foreground. It reflects the “extra class” of Setra coaches in a way that beautifully corresponds to the high standards of our customers. A promise to deliver to customers With its new brand slogan, Setra also makes a promise to deliver to its customers. The buyer can expect to receive products that are not one-dimensional, but rather products that are truly distinctive and excellent in every way and in every conceiv- able detail. The Setra trademark symbolises this “Excellence” and therefore sets a clear benchmark in the market. When launching a new slogan, it’s not only about its external impact. Living the “Excellence” guiding principle within the company is equally important – in terms of attitude and as a guiding principle on an everyday basis. Read on about how employees experience and interpret this “Excellence” in their daily dealings with the brand.

What is a typical sign of “Excellence” for Setra employees?

From now on, the Setra coach

brand will be advertising

with its new

“The Sign of Excellence.”

slogan – which replaces the

previous “Best in Class”

slogan. Here, we explain

what’s behind the new slogan

and we asked Setra

employees what they

associate with the concept

of “Excellence”.

48 | Setra Fascination & technology Setra Fascination & technology | 49

“It’s when a brand-new ComfortClass 500 travels 52,000 kilometres around the world without any problems at all.”

Dr. Jens Holger Heinemann, Head of Marketing Communications Setra

“When we’re given the Red Dot Design Award for a Setra 500 series model for the second year in a row.”

Mathias Lenz, Head of Design, Setra and Mercedes-Benz Coaches and Buses

Kerstin Hess, Designer for Special Customer Requests

“For me a sign of ‘Excellence’ is that, every single year, Setra fulfils close to 24,000 special customer requests.”

Roland Junginger, Master Chassis and Power Train Specialist

“For example, when we can reduce displacement by about 3 to 12.8 litres, while increasing performance to 375 kW.”

Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales and Aftersales EvoBus GmbH

“‘Excellence’, how else can you describe a TopClass 500 with a single word?”

“It comes down to giving our customers the peace of mind that drivers and the passengers are in the best of hands in a Setra coach.”

Manfred Bachus, Tester, Neu-Ulm plant

“It’s the in-house factory production of our seats, which enables us to create the right seat for every coach or bus in all the variants wanted by our customers.”

Gabi Stefan, Vehicle Design Fittings

Setra sends out an unmistakable

signal

Jürgen Föhr, Regional Head of Sales, West/South-West, Setra Germany

“‘The Sign of Excellence.’ really sums it up – I can’t help but think of my customers’ smiles when they come to pick up their new coach at the Customer- Center in Neu-Ulm and see it for the first time.”

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