Daimler Buses is reinforcing its sales position in the Middle East and eastern European markets with a new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Conecto urban bus family. These markets are characterised by price-sensitive tendering business and a particularly strong focus on lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), without dispensing with the use of state-of-the-art vehicle technology right through to Euro VI diesel technology and optimum safety technology.
In just under ten years, the outgoing Mercedes-Benz Conecto has notched up outstanding sales figures with eastern European transport operators and in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. More than 3000 vehicles have been delivered overall. With its extended range and state-of-the-art technology, the new vehicle family meets the evolving requirements regarding driving safety, passenger comfort, handling, etc. The new generation will have its world premiere on 5/6 September 2016 in Warsaw, Poland.
Conecto: maximum economy and state-of-the art technology
The new Conecto unites an uncompromising focus on low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with minimal emissions in accordance with the Euro VI emission standard. It combines the very latest driveline and chassis technology with supreme safety and high comfort for passengers, as well as user-friendliness for the driver.
In this way, the new Mercedes-Benz Conecto is the perfect accompaniment to the globally best-selling Mercedes-Benz Citaro. It is, however, less customised and clearly differs from the Citaro thanks to its focus on largely ready-made configurations, providing for lower acquisition costs.
State-of-the-art diesel engines, and a natural-gas drive for the first time
Ultra-efficient, low-emission diesel engines in accordance with the Euro VI emission standard without exception operate in the rear of the Conecto. The Conecto G benefits from the latest, even more economical generation of the OM 470 heavy-duty engine. Alternatively, the Conecto is also available for the first time with the ultra-quiet, low-emission natural-gas drive. This makes it even more compelling than ever in typical natural-gas markets such as Turkey or in Eastern Europe. Mercedes-Benz continues to supply the previous model for markets still looking for the Euro III emission standard.
Examples of the high level of safety technology include the electronic stability programme ESP on the solo vehicle and the Mercedes-Benz ATC (Articulation Turntable Controller) on the articulated bus as well as independent front suspension for a high standard of driving safety and ride comfort.
Range including solo and articulated bus aimed at tendering business
Mercedes-Benz supplies the low-floor urban regular-service bus as a 12.13 m long three-door Conecto solo bus and as an 18.12 m long four-door Conecto G articulated bus. By concentrating on clearly focused configurations with regard to vehicle length, engines, equipment and appointments, the Conecto is more than ever the perfect solution for the typical tendering business in particularly price-sensitive regions.
The new urban-bus family is now being presented in Warsaw to some 60 transport operators in the eastern European target markets and is already in production.
