"Busplaner" Innovation Prize 2012 goes to Travego Edition 1
Stuttgart/ Mannheim – In the 2012 reader survey of the German specialist bus magazine "Busplaner", the Mercedes-Benz Travego Edition 1 was voted "Innovation of the Year" in the category Technology. The first touring coach to feature a Euro VI engine won through against two other candidates to take the award. "Busplaner" polls its readers each year according to the categories Technology, Tourism and Local Public Transport. Editor-in-Chief Thomas Burgert presented the highly sought-after award for the Travego Edition 1 to Roman Biondi, brand spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Omnibusse EvoBus GmbH, in Mannheim.
Travego Edition 1 the first touring coach with Euro VI engine
The Travego Edition 1 is the first touring coach to meet the Euro VI emissions standard that comes into effect in 2014. The vehicle features the new range of BlueEfficiency Power engines, a new transmission with new gearshift, a further upgraded and ergonomically optimised cockpit, as well as new safety features. Customers with an eye to the future who opt for the Mercedes-Benz flagship model can thus become trailblazers in terms of environmental friendliness.
High-torque Mercedes-Benz engine from the new BlueEfficiency Power engine generation
The engine of the Travego Edition 1 is a vertically installed in-line six-cylinder unit from the new OM 471 series. From a displacement of 12.8 litres it develops 350 kW (476 hp) at 1 800 rpm. Maximum torque is an impressive 2 300 Nm at 1 100 rpm. The engine features the unique common-rail injection system with pressure booster (X-PULSE). This delivers extremely precise fuel injection with cylinder-selective control, high injection pressures of up to 2 100 bar and freely modulated injection – the prerequisites for low fuel consumption, low exhaust emissions and a smooth-running engine.
Resolution of the conflict between emissions and fuel consumption
The particularly stringent requirements of the future Euro VI emissions standard as it relates to nitrogen oxides (NOX) generally stand in contradiction to the demands for further reduced particulate emissions and low fuel consumption. Mercedes-Benz resolves these conflicting objectives with its unique X-PULSE injection system, in conjunction with a complex emission control system. This involves the BlueTec technology with SCR and AdBlue injection, already proven in more than 100 000 vehicles, being combined here with an exhaust gas recirculation system and a particulate filter.
All in all, Euro VI in the Travego Edition 1 leads to a further dramatic reduction in pollutant emissions – without the increase in fuel consumption that was initially feared. At the same time AdBlue consumption is reduced by around 40 percent.
Ergonomically optimised driver's cockpit redesigned down to the last detail
The steering-column lever used to operate the gearshift is one of the most conspicuous modifications to have been made to the cockpit. This lever replaces the dashboard-mounted joystick used until now. It is used to control all functions and yet, thanks to the intuitive nature of its operation, remains extremely user-friendly.
New safety system Attention Assist warns of drowsiness
The Travego Edition 1 is the first bus for which Attention Assist is available as a special equipment item. This is a system that registers parameters such as steering angle, speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, driving time, control signals and driver changes. By correlating the data, Attention Assist draws inferences about the driver's condition. If the data indicate a lack of concentration, or drowsiness, a coffee cup symbol appears on the display as a hint that it's time to take a break.
