Citaro, one of the most demanded models of Mercedes-Benz and shaping the city bus industry, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The model, which has an internal combustion engine in its first generation, which was put on sale in 1997, and accelerates the transition to e-mobility in cities with its eCitaro version today, has achieved great success by selling more than 60.000 units to date. Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, where various alternative propulsion systems have been extensively tested in the field, heralded the transition to electromobility in 2018. Mercedes-Benz Türk R&D Center, which carries out the R&D studies of Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, continues to carry out current updates and development activities.
Daimler Buses celebrates the 25th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which leads the city bus industry. The vehicle, which has an internal combustion engine in its first generation, which was put on sale in 1997 and accelerates the transition to e-mobility in cities with its eCitaro model, was sold more than 25 units in its 60.000th year as one of the most demanded models of the brand.
The traditionally driven Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which has been continuously developed and has a low-floor cabin, and today's fully electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro; It has always been and continues to be a role model in its class in terms of environmental awareness, safety, comfort and ease of use.
In the 1997 world premiere of Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which has been ahead of its time since the first day it was produced with an environmentally friendly and economical drive system, a diesel engine complying with the Euro II emission standard was placed at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle, which met the Euro IV emission standard with the new SCR technology in 2004, became a milestone for the transition to low-emission internal combustion engines. Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which complied with the Euro V standard with the addition of diesel engines with particulate filters in 2006, once again proved that it was ahead of its time with its diesel engines complying with the Euro VI emission standard. In the following years, Mercedes-Benz further reduced fuel consumption and, as a result, vehicle emissions with the Citaro Hybrid.
High security has always been standard in Mercedes-Benz Citaro
Even in the first years of its use, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro was a groundbreaking vehicle with disc brakes, ABS and the Electropneumatic Brake System (EBS), which emerged as a revolutionary innovation in 1997.
In 2011, Mercedes-Benz launched the first solo city bus with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for sale, and then in 2014, Anti-Knock Protection (ATC) was introduced for articulated buses. Mercedes-Benz Citaro continues to set the standards in all models with Side View Assist, which is the turn assist, and Preventive Brake Assist, the first automatic braking system for city buses.
Mercedes-Benz Citaro leads the industry with its passive safety features. For example; Demands for the Covid-2020 pandemic, which has led to completely different demands for the safety of drivers and passengers since 19, were responded to quickly. risk of infection; professional driver security doors were reduced with antivirus filter systems and optional disinfectant dispensers for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses.
Mercedes-Benz eCitaro heralds the transition to electromobility in 2018
The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro heralded the transition to electromobility in 2018, after various alternative propulsion systems were extensively tested in the field. The vehicle, which sets the standards thanks to its innovative and continuously developed battery technology and heat management, is also at the top of electric city bus sales in Germany. The new version of the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, where NMC3 battery technology will be used, and the fuel cell eCitaro version, which acts as a range extender, will also be available in the near future. In this way, the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro will replace vehicles with internal combustion engines in the city bus sector.
Mercedes-Benz Türk's signature in eCitaro's R&D studies
Mercedes-Benz Türk R&D Center, which carries out the R&D studies of Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, continues to carry out current updates and development activities.
Mercedes-Benz eCitaro's interior equipment, bodywork, exterior coatings, electrical infrastructure, diagnostic systems, road tests and hardware durability tests are carried out under the responsibility of Mercedes-Benz Türk Istanbul R&D Center. The Hidropuls endurance test, which is considered the most advanced test in terms of bus production R&D in Turkey, allows a vehicle to be tested by simulating the road conditions it is exposed to for 1.000.000 km. Within the scope of road tests; As part of the long-distance test, long-term tests of all systems and equipment of the vehicle in terms of function and durability are carried out under different climatic and usage conditions.
The first prototype vehicle within the scope of road tests of Mercedes-Benz eCitaro; It has been tested in all conditions that can be encountered in extreme climatic conditions and different driving scenarios in 2 different regions in Turkey (Istanbul, Erzurum, Izmir) for 10.000 hours (approximately 140.000 km) for 3 years.