Correctly filled tires contribute to driving safety and have a longer service life. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) helps to detect reduced pressure on one or more tires during driving. This can prevent tire damage and therefore increase safety as well as cost-effectiveness.

For this purpose, a sensor measures air pressure and air temperature in the tire interior on a continuous basis. The determined data are transmitted at regular intervals by radio to a receiving antenna on the underfloor and forwarded to the control unit. The tire pressures can be displayed on request in the multifunction display or in the optional Multi Function Key in the TopClass. The TPMS prompts the driver to correct the tire pressures in a timely manner. If the tire pressure is less than 90% of the set pressure, a yellow warning message will appear. If it is less than 80% of the setpoint pressure or if the pressure falls rapidly during the journey, a red warning message is issued.

The interior of the ComfortClass and the TopClass is divided into two large air-conditioning zones: front and rear, or double-deck bus top and bottom. This allows all passengers to enjoy the same relaxing climate comfort regardless of their seating position.*

* Your vehicle’s air-conditioning system and refrigerator are filled with the R-134a refrigerant and contain fluorinated greenhouse gas. The notice decals with detailed information on the type of refrigerant used can be found on the respective devices. Please refer to your vehicle’s operating instructions. For more detailed information, please refer to the respective technical information brochure.

The Sideguard Assist turning assistant feature considerably increases the safety of unprotected road users, especially in cities, since it helps the driver recognise critical situations in a timely manner when turning. The system operates in different stages: in a first stage, it informs the driver, and in a second stage, it provides an additional warning.

If a moving object is located in the lateral or side monitoring zone, the driver is informed optically. In the exterior mirror on the passenger's side, an LED light in a triangular shape illuminates yellow at the driver's height of vision. It intuitively directs the attention to the situation next to the vehicle. Additionally, a warning message appears in the central display.

If the driver initiates or continues an action that could lead to a collision, an additional visual warning is given: the LED light flashes several times red with higher luminosity and then permanently. In addition to this, a tactile vibration acts as a warning in the driver’s seat. Moreover, Sideguard Assist warns the driver of stationary obstacles in the coach’s turning curve and can also take on the task of a lane changing assistant, in which case it operates with the same warning cascade.

Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4) and Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) warn the driver prior to a collision with an obstacle and brake the coach independently if necessary.

The Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4) and the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) warn the driver against the obstacle and independently brakes the bus if necessary, regardless of the function of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ART). For this purpose, the radar-controlled system constantly scans an area of up to 250 metres of the lane in front of the coach.

As the world's first system of its kind ABA 4 also reacts to pedestrians. In addition to vehicles and standing obstacles ahead (e.g. a traffic jam), the system detects pedestrians at a maximum distance of 80 metres. If the distance to pedestrians reduces dangerously, the system first alerts the driver by means of visual and acoustic warning signals and, at the same time, initiates partial braking to a standstill, if the driver does not respond. The initiated partial braking provides the driver with the possibility of avoiding the collision by means of a full braking or a steering manoeuver. Additionally, he can warn endangered pedestrians by using his horn in a timely manner.

Today's legal requirements for emergency braking assistance systems are widely exceeded by AEBS; the system already complies with the test provisions which will be valid from 2018 onwards. ABA 4 is even a step further here because it significantly reduces the vehicle’s kinetic energy (see graphic).

The Adaptive Cruise Control feature relieves the driver by automatically maintaining a constant distance – defined by the driver – from the vehicle ahead, based on continuous measurements. This not only increases safety on country roads and highways, but also convenience. A radar system, which guarantees outstanding functionality even under poor weather conditions and in the dark, monitors a distance of up to 250 metres in front of the vehicle and to the full width of the road. Should a variably defined security distance to the vehicle driving ahead be undercut, ART slows down the coach so that the safety zone is maintained. Many rear-impact collisions can therefore be avoided.

Unlike the emergency assistant Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4), ART initiates a smooth braking with maximum 20 percent of its possible power.

Attention Assist (AtAs) can detect an early stage of driver fatigue and encourage him to take a break in time. At its heart is a sensor that accurately registers the driver’s steering movements and steering speed. In the first few minutes of driving, the system creates an individual behaviour pattern that is continuously compared with the current steering behaviour and the respective driving situation. On this basis, the system can detect typical indicators of fatigue and warn the driver using audible and visual cues. Attention Assist increases the safety of drivers and passengers, as well as the vehicle’s resale value.

With its innovative profile, the AquaBlade flat wiper blade ensures that the washer water is evenly distributed on the windscreen. The special feature is that the washing water comes directly from the wiper blade and immediately gets to where it is needed for cleaning without any detours. This increases comfort, saves washing water and, due to the considerably better cleaning action, also ensures optimum visibility – ultimately a plus for safety. In addition, the AquaBlade flat wiper blade possesses excellent aerodynamics, which also reduces distracting noises.

Arriving relaxed: The new dual-zone climate control ensures an even temperature distribution in the interior.

The Continuous Braking Limiter safety feature prevents the vehicle from accelerating beyond a predetermined speed on inclines, stabilising the speed. It makes use of the Retarder as a wear-free continuous brake, which prevents overheating of the standard brake. Additionally, the retarder is in this case combined with a speed control. For the Continuous Braking Limiter, the driver can define a fixed speed, which should not be exceeded on inclines. Moreover the system prevents the allowed maximum speed of 100 km/h to be exceeded, through warnings in the central display and through braking interventions. Driving on inclines is therefore not only mad safer but considerably more comfortable.

During the hours of darkness, a cornering light ensures much greater safety when turning at poorly lit intersections. It switches on automatically up to a speed of 40 km/h if the main headlamps are switched on, and the turn indicator is set or the steering wheel turned.

The function of the cornering light is assumed by the fog lights. This involves an electronic system activating the fog lamp on the inside of the bend which then illuminates the critical area significantly better.
Based on actual information about speed, steering angle and turn indicator position, the control unit reliably ensures that the cornering light functions correctly in the most diverse driving situations: except for example at roundabouts, or when reversing.

To allow the eye to adjust to adjust to changing light situations, the intelligent electronic system does not abruptly switch the cornering light on or off, but dims it up and down.

The new ComfortClass 500 employs the latest generation of the Electropneumatic Braking System (EBS 3). The system distributes the brake pressure optimally to all wheels, thereby ensuring the best possible braking effect. In the unlikely even of an electronic system failure, a conventional air brake comes into action. This will still bring the bus safely to a halt. By integrating the EBS components it has been possible to reduce both the installation space and the weight of the system.

Significantly reduces the risk of skidding, by counteracting the vehicle’s swerving through targeted braking of individual wheels. High-performance electronics monitor the signals of ESP sensors and continuously check whether the driver’s steering intention and the actual motion of the vehicle correspond. If the values differ, the system instantly reduces the engine power to re-establish the vehicle’s balance and stability. If this is not sufficient, the system additionally brakes individual wheels. Two further active safety systems are included in the ESP system: the Anti-Block system (ABS) and the Integrated Traction Control (ASR).

In the case of a frontal collision, the Front Collision Guard (FCG) offers increased safety in the front part of the vehicle and reliable underride protection through a cross profile. Crash elements, with an absorber structure which transforms impact energy into distortion energy, are positioned behind the FCG’s cross profile. This considerably reduces the outcome of the impact. Since the driver’s work space, incl. steering, pedals and seat, is mounted on a massive frame component, it can be pushed backwards to maintain a protective space for the driver in the case of severe frontal impact. So, the interplay of Active Brake Assist 4 and FCG can achieve unparalleled levels of safety for the driver and attendant, and ultimately for passengers as well. The FCG fulfils the requirements of the underride guard according to ECE-R 93, as well as legal norms for pendulum impact in coaches.

The TopClass 500’s heating and air conditioning concept was completely redesigned. On the one hand, all passengers enjoy the same relaxing comfort, thanks to the distribution into two major temperature control zones – front and rear. On the other, every seat offers three separate thermal or air sources: an outlet in the service set above the seat, a pleasantly tempered window sill, and a heat outlet below the seat – absolutely unique in a touring coach. This all-new patented under-seat heating system (optional) ensures pleasing warmth, as well as fast and remarkably costeffective heating of the passenger compartment.

* Your vehicle’s air-conditioning system and refrigerator are filled with the R-134a refrigerant and contain fluorinated greenhouse gas. The notice decals with detailed information on the type of refrigerant used can be found on the respective devices. Please refer to your vehicle’s operating instructions. For more detailed information, please refer to the respective technical information brochure.

Driver fatigue ranks among the most frequent causes of accidents. The Lane Assist feature, at the heart of which is a camera positioned behind the front windscreen, continuously measures the lateral distance to side road markings. If the driver moves out of the lane, the system warns him through a vibration in the seat. For example, if he leaves the lane to the right, the seat cushion vibrates on the right side. To avoid false alarms, the Lane Assist is only activated at speeds of 60 km/h and above. This prevents problems along construction sites, where coaches hardly drive at speeds greater than 60 km/h. If the driver consciously changes lanes and puts the blinker on, the Lane Assist recognises this and does not give a warning.

The TopClass 500 is equipped with an electronic level control system which offers clear benefits to operators as well as passengers. On the one hand, at high speeds, the level of the coach is automatically lowered, which in interaction with the very aerodynamic design of the TopClass 500, contributes to optimised fuel consumption. And on the other hand, the system offers the “kneeling” possibility, which allows the level of the non-moving coach to be lowered on one side, to facilitate passenger entry into the coach.

The strength of the coach body is a key factor in terms of passive safety. The consequences of an accident can be significantly reduced thanks to the vehicle body’s resistance. With the TopClass and ComfortClass 500, high structural rigidity is ensured through strength-optimised ring frames, new node elements, optimised column cross-sections and the use of high-strength steels. The strength of coach bodies is defined by regulation ECE-R 66, which specifies the exact "survival space" to be guaranteed in the case of an accident. Here, the TopClass and the ComfortClass 500 already meet future requirements today.