Time for a new generation
Conecto

Time for a new generation

There are buses. And then there are Mercedes-Benz buses. With a modern drive system concept, high safety standards and top-level quality they hold their own and have held it for over 120 years in a highly dynamic day-to-day struggle. Within the space of just 10 years the Conecto city bus has established itself as an assured player in Eastern Europe, in Turkey and Central Asia. The new generation impresses with its exceptional economy, combined with quality and comfort. Functionality, reliability and safety enable you to come to the fore and assure you the good feeling that you are doing the best for the future of your company.

Economy

Works efficiently. Moves with supreme confidence.

The diesel Conecto pays off. A reasonable cost of purchase, its frugal Euro-VI engines and long maintenance intervals contribute towards its excellent overall economy. Its capacity for 101 passengers not only reduces the burden on your entire fleet, it also has a positive effect on your balance sheets.

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Technology

Powerful driving performance.

The Conecto city buses have many qualities. Particularly compelling are their economic effectiveness and their powerful drive system: the engine flap covers trustworthy, frugal diesel engines.

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Safety

One thing is a safe bet: everything.

Buses are among the safest means of transportation in the world. Innovations from Mercedes-Benz have a played decisive role in ensuring this. We take responsibility for the safety of our buses like almost no other manufacturer. Many innovations now included as standard celebrated their debut in a vehicle bearing the three-pointed star. With Sideguard Assist 2, Frontguard Assist and Traffic Sign Assist as standard, and the optional Preventive Brake Assist 2 in the Conecto, Mercedes-Benz is once again setting standards.

More on safety
Comfort

True capacity when it comes to passenger comfort.

Whether as a 12-metre solo bus or an 18-metre-long articulated bus – the Conecto offers comfortable and flexible equipment as well as a light and spacious interior. The 12-metre version offers a total capacity for up to 101 persons, while the diesel-powered articulated bus has room for up to 150 passengers.

Thanks to its consistently implemented low-floor design the four-door articulated bus is especially passenger-friendly and of comfortable access and exit, also ensuring a rapid passenger flow. Entry is greatly assisted by the 'kneeling' feature which lowers the bus to kerb level at stops. A feature that is especially supportive for persons with restricted mobility. Available as an option, a powerful air conditioning system provides a pleasant climate for the driver's workplace and the passenger compartment.

Comfort for the driver

Ergonomic workplace for drivers.

There is hardly any more important protection for passengers than a well-focused driver. An ergonomic and well-ordered workplace reduces the burden on the driver and prevents weariness: all controls and instruments are clearly arranged and within easy reach. Plenty of stowage spaces as well as separate ventilation system and a pleasant optional air conditioning system* also help create a driver's workstation with all-round feel-good factor. Apart from this, a generously-dimensioned footwell provides greater legroom and a seating position raised by 60 millimetres greater relaxation.

Comfort for the passengers

So much expressiveness makes an impression.

With the Conecto and Conecto articulated bus, you provide your passengers with stepless access and a full-length continuous low floor from front to rear – modern city bus comfort of European standard throughout which ensures a rapid flow of passengers.

More on comfort for passengers
Conecto hybrid

Cost-savings at every stop!

Even better value for money – the new Mercedes-Benz Conecto hybrid.

With its new hybrid variant, the Mercedes-Benz Conecto is now even more fuel efficient when driven in urban traffic. Available as both a rigid and articulated bus, this low-floor vehicle has been designed to be money conscious in every aspect. With its additional electric motor, the Conecto rigid bus can now save your business even more money, especially when driven where it drives best: in stop-start urban traffic.

The new Conecto hybrid impressively demonstrates how you can get ahead more efficiently, even in heavy traffic. An additional electric motor works as a generator when the bus is braking and coasting, and converts the braking energy into valuable electrical energy. The electricity generated by recuperation is then supplied to the combustion engine again when the bus is moving off, accelerating and idling. This can result in up to 6.5 percent fuel savings in urban traffic. In this way, bit by bit, the Conecto hybrid pays for itself with every stop-start.

More information about the Conecto hybrid
Variants

Four models for every eventuality.

As versatile as your requirements.

The new generation Conecto offers you a choice between two models and two engine variants, depending on the individual operation required of it. The Conecto low-floor bus with its three double doors is available powered by a frugal, efficient diesel engine. The 18-meter-long Conecto G articulated bus features four double doors for rapid boarding and disembarking.

Consistently economic and safe.

But irrespective of which model you choose, with the Conecto you will be driving an economically-efficient, safe course: modern safety assistance systems are standard equipment. The Conecto has proven itself, in terms of its reliability and operational capability both on the test bench and in real-life road trials, so that it can become a reliable partner for your daily tasks.

The Conecto.

Works efficiently. Drives with supreme confidence: the Conecto.

The basis for a good balance sheet.

The diesel Conecto pays off. A reasonable cost of purchase, its frugal Euro-VI engines and long maintenance intervals contribute towards its excellent overall economy. Its capacity for 101 passengers not only reduces the burden on your entire fleet, it also has a positive effect on your balance sheets.

Proven modular system.

The 12.13-metre-long, 2.55-metre wide Conecto is based on the tried and trusted components of the popular Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus family – for instance, the robust low-floor portal driven axle, the front axle with individual suspension and the efficient OM 936 diesel engine.

The Conecto G.

More space means more turnover: the Conecto G.

An expert for heavily-frequented routes.

Coping with a large passenger volume is the strong point of the 18.12-metre long, 2.55-metre wide Conecto articulated bus. It can accommodate up to 150 passengers, with 40 of those seated on a comfortable seat. Four wide double doors, stepless entrances and full-length continuous low floor from front to rear make it possible for passengers to board and disembark easily and ensure a rapid passenger flow.

OMNIplus Service

Discover our Premium Service for your Mercedes-Benz.

With bus-specific provision, individual solutions and an extensive range, OMNIplus ensures your vehicles are always ready for deployment and your company remains operational.

Find out more about OMNIplus
Technical data

Technical data and equipment at a glance.

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Contact

Do you have any questions?

Do you have any questions or need more information? We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us for further details.

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eCitaro fuel cell

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* The air conditioning system and the refrigerator of your vehicle are filled with the refrigerant R-134a, and contain a fluorinated greenhouse gas. Notices with detailed information on the type of refrigerant used can be found on the respective unit. In connection please note the instructions in the owner’s manual for your vehicle.

Assistance systems can only support drivers. The driver is always fully responsible for driving the vehicle safely.

Total cost of ownership

Every bus costs money. Ours saves it.

There are many factors in operating a bus that cost money. Even though you cannot control all the costs, you can still do something to operate your Mercedes-Benz Conecto more economically: more than one third of the costs incurred can be actively influenced. We show you what the overall economic advantages of our buses and services are in terms of investment, consumption, maintenance and residual value.

The economic regular-service bus for urban centres.

The Conecto is an authentic Mercedes-Benz and generates good overall economy thanks to reasonable investment costs, BlueEFFICIENCY Power engines with low fuel consumption and long maintenance intervals. To this can be added its high availability and spare-parts prices in line with market conditions. The precisely mutually-adapted drivetrain and the optionally-available recuperation module ensure efficient journeys – day after day.

Developed for high passenger numbers.

The Conecto comes in two length variants (solo and articulated). The 18-metre-long Conecto G is optimally suited for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. All this makes it an economically highly effective solution for lines with a high passenger volume thanks to its great passenger transport capacity, its huge reliability and good balance-sheet results.

Economic efficiency comes as standard.

As an independently developed vehicle, the 12.13-metre-long, 2.55-metre-wide Conecto is based on vehicle components which have been tried and tested in large-scale series production. Many assemblies come from the successful Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus family, including the rugged low-floor portal axle of the drive system, the front-axle with independent wheel suspension and the efficient diesel engines.

Low consumption.

The BlueEFFICIENCY power engine with BlueTEC® 6 impresses not only through its enormous economic efficiency, but also because of the reduction of harmful emissions. Despite the need to meet the higher demands made by the Euro VI standard, Mercedes-Benz has succeeded in reducing fuel, engine oil and AdBlue® consumption.

Technology

Powerful driving performance.

The Conecto city buses have many qualities. Particularly compelling are their economic effectiveness and their powerful drive system: the engine flap covers trustworthy, frugal diesel engines.

Drive system which delivers greater economy.

The new BlueEFFICIENCY engines transfer their power particularly efficiently to the road. They deliver impressive torque values from low engine speeds and offer powerful acceleration capacity. The Mercedes-Benz OM 936 six cylinder in-line engine in the Conecto delivers 220 kW (299 hp) from its displacement of 7.7 litres and develops a torque of 1200 Newton-metres. The Conecto articulated bus is powered by a 10.7-litre OM 470 engine delivering 265 kW (360 hp) and 1700 Newton-metres.

Clean power.

The Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC® diesel technology not only ensures a high power output at low consumption levels, but also reduced pollutant and particle emissions. Compliance with the stringent Euro VI requirements is achieved through a combination of Common-Rail injection, requirement-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection for exhaust gas purification. This makes possible an 80-percent reduction of nitrogen oxides and 66 percent lower particulate emissions than with Euro V engines.

Mercedes-Benz OM 936
Automatic efficiency.

The modern, robust, Voith DIWA 6 four-speed automatic transmission provides planning security and reduces fuel consumption. Optionally, a ZF EcoLife six-speed automatic transmission system is also available. In order to ensure efficient, smooth action, the drivetrain components, engine, transmission and axles were precisely adjusted to each other. The optional recuperation module ensures even more efficient operation: in overrun phases it generates electricity which it stores and makes available to ancillary consumers.

Mercedes-Benz OM 470
More power from the fuel.

The standout feature of the new vertically installed OM 470 engine is the flexible X-PULSE common-rail system from Mercedes-Benz with fully electronic control and hydraulic pressure booster. Whereas in the common injection line the pressure is built up to a maximum of 1160 bar, in the individual injectors it is boosted to an injection pressure as high as 2700 bar. The rate of injection can be freely modelled according to operating conditions. Turbocharging is via an fixed-geometry exhaust-gas turbocharger with asymmetrical turbine housing.

Rapid maintenance gets you quickly back on the road.

Moreover, the new electronics architecture, the "electronic brain" of your Conecto, also helps to keep your maintenance costs to a minimum. It is fully diagnosis-enabled, which speeds up maintenance and repairs. And if it is ever necessary to replace a part at short notice, the highly efficient Mercedes-Benz parts supply system reduces downtime.

Safety

Support while on the move.

Ensuring pre-emptive braking and manoeuvring in inner-city traffic are the Sideguard Assist 2*, which, thanks to a new sensor concept, warns even more accurately of a risk of collision with pedestrians and cyclists when cornering. It is now also used on the driver’s side, thus making left turns safer as well. The new Frontguard Assist monitors the area directly in front of the bus and warns the driver if a collision is imminent. The optional Preventive Brake Assist 2 detects obstacles, pedestrians and cyclists in front of the vehicle, warns the driver and initiates partial braking at the same time. For even more saftey, the Conecto can be equiped with a 360° camera system (270° for the articulated Conecto), ensuring optimal overview even in difficult situations. Instead of classic mirrors, Mercedes-Benz is now offering MirrorCams also for the Conecto.

MirrorCam

Depending on the vehicle, the images are displayed on 7" and 15" monitors. The two high-resolution displays show the different fields of vision. The photodiodes integrated in the monitors detect the incident light and adjust the brightness of the respective monitor individually. To make it easier for the driver to evaluate the images, the 15" variants have three different guide lines. Together with the permanently calibrated vehicle end line, the distance line assists the driver in assessing approaching objects. The Overtaking Assist overlay is activated from a speed of 10 km/h with flashing, in order to safely assist overtaking or turning. In addition, the display for Blind Spot Assist is installed in the monitor.

The modern MirrorCam system provides a clear and full view of the road traffic. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, the driving safety is improved and the risk of accidents is minimised. The extended field of vision enables the driver to see pedestrians, cyclists and other road users in the surrounding area. This eliminates the blind spot when turning right.

Frontguard Assist

Frontguard Assist is an advanced system that was specially developed to warn drivers of pedestrians located immediately in front of the vehicle and also to warn them of an impending accident. Whether you are pulling away or driving slowly (up to 9.3 mph), the intelligent assistance system can detect potential collisions with unprotected road users.

The interaction of radar sensors and the front camera continuously monitors the area of up to 4 m in front of the vehicle and 0.5 m to each side of the vehicle. This enables pedestrians and cyclists to be detected in the danger zone. The combination of the various warning signals ensures that the driver is made aware visually and acoustically of potential hazards and impending collisions.

Traffic Sign Assist (TSA)

The innovative Traffic Sign Assist offers maximum safety and comfort on the road. Thanks to GPS and camera support, the vehicle speed is constantly compared with the current traffic regulations.

The system is designed to provide dedicated and appropriate feedback if the permitted speed is exceeded. Thanks to the state-of-the-art instrument cluster, the driver receives both visual and audible signals that immediately draw attention to the speed.

Attention Assist (AtAs)

Attention Assist (AtAs) is a safety assistance system that can help prevent microsleep. It thus contributes to improved driving safety, especially on long journeys and when driving at night. The system warns the driver visually and acoustically when it detects typical signs of overtiredness or inattention and prompts him/her to take a break. The warning is independent of the electronic logging device (ELD).

The Attention Assist is always activated after starting the engine. The system can be deactivated or reactivated via the operating menu in the central display. The warning is given as an amber message via an indication in the display as a “coffee cup”' symbol with the message “Attention Assist: Break” and additionally by a warning sound. The message can be acknowledged by pressing the OK button in the left button cluster panel on the steering wheel.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)**

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is an active system for increasing driving safety and driving stability. It makes a noticeable contribution to reducing the risk of skidding during cornering or evasive manoeuvres. This is achieved by specifically controlling the braking forces on each individual wheel in situations where the driving dynamics are critical, for example, if the bus is driven at the limit when cornering. At the same time the engine output is reduced. A possible "breaking-loose" of the bus is thereby prevented by the finely metered braking - within the limits of the physical possibilities. ESP® monitors, among other things, the lateral acceleration of the bus. If, on long bends – such as motorway exits – or during rapid lane changes, the bus reaches a critical driving situation, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced until driving stability is achieved again.

Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)

ASR prevents the drive wheels from spinning in two ways. On the one hand, ASR minimises wheel spinning through a measured braking intervention. On the other hand, the torque of the engine is regulated via the "electronic accelerator pedal".

Even at full throttle, the engine only provides as much power in critical situations as the drive wheels can transmit – a major advantage for controlled pulling away and driving stability. When starting off, the torques applied and the wheel speeds of the drive wheels are monitored. In this process, torque distribution is controlled in such a way that spinning is prevented. This ensures that optimum power flow is always guaranteed.

ASR helps the driver to minimise the risk of the drive wheels spinning and consequently of the rear of the vehicle (rear-wheel drive) drifting out sideways when accelerating. Especially for high-torque engines, ASR thus provides increased comfort and enhanced safety when pulling away – particularly on roads with varying grip.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) supports driving stability during critical braking operations and ensures that the vehicle remains steerable. The braking forces acting on the individual wheels are distributed by the ABS so that even in an emergency braking situation no wheel is blocked for any length of time, and the steerability of the bus is largely maintained.

The control unit of the brake electronics records the current wheel speed via the pole wheels and wheel sensors. When braking, the system controls the brake pressure at the individual wheel brake cylinders via the control valves. During emergency braking and braking with locking wheels, the system opens and closes the control valves of the wheel brake cylinders fully automatically at very short intervals, thus preventing locking and keeping the vehicle steerable.

During emergency braking and braking with locking wheels, the system opens and closes the control valves of the wheel brake cylinders fully automatically at very short intervals, thus preventing locking and keeping the vehicle steerable.

Preventive Brake Assist 2

With Preventive Brake Assist 2, Daimler Buses offers the second generation of Active Brake Assist. The system warns of collisions with moving pedestrians and cyclists as well as stationary and moving objects. In the event of a serious risk of collision, the driver is alerted by a visual and acoustic warning and partial braking is initiated automatically.

Warning cascade and braking intervention are specifically designed for use in urban traffic. In the event of an impending collision with pedestrians or cyclists as well as with moving or stationary objects, Preventive Brake Assist 2 issues a warning. The driver is warned both visually by a flashing red triangle in the central display and acoustically, and simultaneously initiates partial braking. This braking intervention is maintained either until the driver intervenes, the situation is no longer critical, or the bus comes to a stop.

Sideguard Assist 2

Sideguard Assist 2 is a safety assistance system that supports the driver in critical situations when turning right or turning left when visibility is possibly restricted. The system is designed to help detect moving obstacles within the system limits, and warns the driver so as to avoid critical situations or reduce the consequences of accidents when turning off or changing lanes.

The side areas of the vehicle are constantly monitored. As a result, vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists who may be in the blind spot are detected on both the front passenger side and the driver’s side. The radar system precisely detects the movements and warns the driver of possible collisions. The intuitive user interface and clear warnings allow the driver to drive safely and relaxed.

Safe on all seats.

In the Conecto, safety is integrated as standard. We have continuously worked on making the bodywork even more stable and safer. Thus the framework protects passengers in the event of a lateral collision. In the event of a rear-end collision, the reinforced front section minimises the consequences of an accident and protects the driver better.

Agile and stable.

The unique ATC (Articulated Turntable Controller) is a new, highly sophisticated articulation limiter system especially developed by Mercedes-Benz. This turntable and its control system form one of the core components of the Conecto G: the hydraulic damping of the articulation reacts and adapts swiftly and, above all, demand-driven. The result: whereas the conventional high basic articulation damping leads to a strong tendency to understeer in curves and to increased tyre wear on the front axle, this articulation is virtually free in a normal stable driving situation and is damped only by the friction of the component elements.

Anti-jackknifing system of Citaro G / CapaCity L.

After an accident.

The Rescue Guidelines.

Building safe vehicles is the top priority within the integral safety concept of Mercedes-Benz. This also includes all measures that help to mitigate the consequences of an accident. An important part of our work is therefore also targeted information for rescue workers. Because detailed knowledge of our vehicles and their safety systems helps the emergency services to reach injured persons more quickly. And thereby to save lives.

To the rescue guidelines

* Optional equipment

** Available as special equipment on the solo vehicle

Legal notice on active safety assistance systems: Emergency braking systems and other safety assistance systems can support the driver and mitigate the severity of accidents or prevent accidents in critical driving situations under optimal conditions, within the system limits. However, irrespective of this, the driver has a duty to adapt his driving behaviour and in particular his speed to the traffic and weather conditions and to be attentive at all times. This applies in particular to special situations such as icy or wet roads, rain, crosswind, poor visibility, snowfall, fog, etc. Consequently, the driver, as the driver of the vehicle, has the responsibility for the entire driving situation at all times and must not rely exclusively on the safety assistance systems.

Assistance systems can only support drivers. The driver is always fully responsible for driving the vehicle safely.

Comfort for the passengers

So much expressiveness makes an impression.

Invitingly economic.

The Conecto shows itself to be an exceptionally economic yet highly sophisticated public service bus. With its three doors (solo vehicle) and four doors (articulated bus), the Conecto is a distinctly welcoming sight at the bus stop: the 12-metre-long Conecto can accommodate up to 101 passengers while on the 18-metre-long Conecto G this figure is 150 passenger.

Pleasant atmosphere for passengers.

Your passengers will immediately feel at their ease in the interior, with its friendly, attractive design. Standing areas without any intrusive platforms, comfortable seats, a proven and flexible grab-rail system as well as advanced passenger information displays make every ride aboard the new generation Mercedes-Benz Conecto a pleasant experience. The suspended and wear-resistant seating can be optionally arranged in different layouts. It goes without saying that the bus is equipped with disability equipment, as per EU Directive.

Conecto hybrid

Cost-savings at every stop!

Straight-forward technology without the need for a high-voltage system.

The hybrid module is available for the Conecto rigid bus. Its technology is as simple as it is convincing. The electric drive works as a generator in the braking and coasting phases of the bus, and converts braking energy into electricity. The energy produced in this way is stored in high-performance capacitors, also known as supercaps. These are ideal for the continuous switch between charging and discharging when the vehicle is stop-starting. A second core component of the hybrid drive is the electric motor. This disc-shaped unit is fitted between the combustion engine and the automatic transmission. It generates an output of 14 kW and a torque of 220 Nm. The electric motor supports the combustion engine in the event of high power requirements or idling but it doesn't increase maximum output, which is why the output and torque figures for the bus remain unchanged. Instead, the electric motor eases the pressure on the combustion engine. In this way, it can noticeably reduce fuel consumption. Compared with conventional hybrid buses, the Conecto hybrid does not use an elaborate high-voltage network, but instead has a separate 48-volt network. It uses low-voltage technology, making it safe to drive and less time-consuming to maintain, yet another way in which the Conecto hybrid can help you save money!

The intelligent use of kinetic energy.

Who brakes wins

The vehicle with a 48 V hybrid system impresses with its increased economy and sustainability through lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions. To achieve this, the diesel engine is supported by the propulsive power of a highly efficient hybrid module. The module's 14 kW electric motor generates energy when coasting and braking, and supports the diesel engine when starting and idling. The energy management system is self-sufficient and therefore supports the unchanged driving behaviour and familiar operation for the driver.

The electric motor supports the combustion engine when high power is required and when it is just idling.

The low-floor bus from Mercedes-Benz combines top-range Citaro technology with an innovative drive.

Supercaps are excellent at handling continuous switches between charging and discharging when the bus starts and stops.

The system consists of an electric motor, an inverter, two storage modules (Mild Hybrid Storages) on the roof and an additional cooling circuit for the electric motor and inverter. The disc-shaped and very robustly designed electric motor is integrated between the combustion engine and the automatic transmission. Among other things, it works as a generator when the bus decelerates and converts thrust energy into electricity – during braking and when the gas is removed (recuperation). The generated electricity is stored as electrical energy in the storage modules.

As soon as the bus starts from a standstill, the electric motor supports the diesel unit with its torque – the so-called boost phase. In this way, the combustion engine temporarily has to apply less power when starting up, thus saving fuel. In addition, the electric motor supports idling. This improves the efficiency of the combustion engine and contributes to significantly reduced fuel consumption and thus reduced emissions. The safety concept of the hybrid system is based on the low voltage of 48 V-DC (direct current). This means that there is no need for extensive training of the driving personnel and workshop staff, nor for special tools or special spare parts.