The pinnacle of the Citaro bus range is its design and
construction. The salient exterior design consisting of sleek headlamps and the
tri-star logo, with its noticeable A0-pillars, large frontal windscreen and
side window areas, and an attractive design-detailing is impressive. The
interiors are equally good-looking and innovative, for instance, the cantilever
seating in the frontal part of the cabin. The 'continuous annular frame'
construction is light weight and extremely strong providing enhanced cabin stability
and safety.
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| Mercedes-Benz Citaro solo |
Further, the Citaro's standardised modular assembly gives an
edge over its rivals in terms of construction cost and flexibility in varied
applications. The Citaro range consists of solo, articulated, and
short-wheelbase (LowEntry) bus variants. This includes standard 12m twin-axle,
15m or 18m tri-axle, and a 20m four-axle (articulated) configurations. The
commonality of parts between these models and shared assembly keeps the
production costs low, in addition to a wide range of products that practically
cover all the needs of urban operations. Furthermore, a free choice of
equipments and powertrain options as per customer requirements makes the Citaro
range more appealing.
Let's take the example of the Citaro GÜ Euro 6. This 18m
articulated version is part of a 90 bus order for Switzerland, a key maker for
Mercedes-Benz buses in Europe. As per the buyer's customized order, these buses
boast bi-xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, double-glazed side
windows, and a reversing camera. A video surveillance system with 6 cameras
across the vast cabin the interior, LED interior lighting, an integrated IBIS
on-board info system, and a passenger counting system is also included in the
package.
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| The 5000th Citaro Euro 6 unit was a Citaro GU model destined for Switzerland |
In addition, to batter the snowy roads, a compartment for
snow chains behind the rear axle is provided. There are three electrically
operated doors, of which doors 2 and 3 are pivoting sliding doors to augment
easy flow of passengers into the cabin. The buses can accommodate 73 standing
and 56 seated passengers each, and all seats are seat-belt secured.
Also Read: Daimler Tests Highway Pilot System in a Series-Production Mercedes Actros Truck
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The Citaro GÜ Euro 6 is powered by six-cylinder 10.7-litre
OM 470 BlueEfficiency diesel engine that can make up to 360 hp of max power and
a peak torque of 1700 Nm at 1100 rpm. This common-rail engine features X-Pulse
pressure boosters for fuel efficiency, and an exhaust gas re-circulation and
particulate filter in order to meet the stringent Euro 6 emissions standards.
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| MB Citaro NGT that runs on CNG |
The Citaro NGT, on the other hand, is presented as an
attractive alternative to the diesel-powered Citaros by gaining on improved NVH
and CO2 emissions levels. Already on sale in Germany, the latest natural gas
(CNG) run Citaros are powered by a 7.7-litre M 936 G natural gas engine with an
output of 302 hp and 1200 Nm of max power and torque. This engine essentially a
OM 936 turbodiesel unit, used in Citaro and Citaro G Euro 6 models, modified
for CNG compatibility. Mercedes Benz is constantly downsizing its engines that
run on natural gas, making the Citaro NGT 25 percent lighter than its
predecessor with a 12.0-litre natural gas engine. The standard final drive
ratios of the CNG engines are made a step shorter than their diesel
counterparts, owing to different engine speed in natural gas.
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| Mercedes Benz Citaro NGT: Gains more on reduced noise-vibration and CO2 emission levels |
The 227-litre gas tanks for the Citaro NGT are made of
composite, light-weight materials including a carbon-fibre made casting. The
company claims that the new NGT is 15 to 20 percent efficient over the previous
models. The all-round disc brakes are standard across the whole Citaro range,
assisted with ABS and EBD. Moreover, the variants get latest electronic system
FPS (flexibly programmed control) based on a CAN databus system with
decentralised electronic modules, and a holistic diagnostic system.
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| Citaro NGT is 15-20 % fuel efficient that its predecessor |
Conventional mobility apart, Mercedes-Benz has even unveiled
Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid, a series-hybrid articulated bus that draws power from
four 80 kW wheel hub motors located on the centre and rear axles. A four
cylinder 4.8-litre diesel engine charges a roof-mounted 19.4 kWh lithium-ion
battery pack to propel the electric motors. The company is also working on a
hydrogen fuel cell-powered version Citaro BZ that is currently under
feasibility trail runs.