Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE bus chassis on an open test area, with a city skyline in the background

OC 500 LE

A base. Many possibilities.

Free hand for body assembly.

Passenger-friendly low-floor comfort from the front to the second entrance in combination with innovative Mercedes-Benz drive technology in the rising rear: the OC 500 LE enables you to safely implement the low-entry concept according to your individual plans. The secret to virtually unlimited possibilities is the modularity of the chassis. It is the basis for the realisation of your regular-service buses with a width of 2.50 to 2.60 m and a length of up to 13.20 m. The drive axle is available in three ratios to realise your individual ideas. The driver cockpit, instrument panel and second door can also be arranged variably. The OC 500 LE turns your project ideas into reality.

Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF bus chassis with technical components on the road, shown in the transparent outline of a bus

Highlights

Consistently economical and safe.

Your benefits at a glance:

Modern drive concept.

A combination of efficient Euro VI drive technology with optional fuel-saving hybrid technology.

Proven safety from the complete bus.

Modern safety and assistance systems as standard, such as Preventive Brake Assist 2 and Sideguard Assist 2 on both sides.

Modular system.

High adaptability of the vehicle body and thus flexible deployment options in urban and intercity traffic.

Overall cost-effectiveness.

Optimised overall economy thanks to efficient fuel consumption, long maintenance intervals and reliable availability.

Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE bus chassis with engine and cooling unit at the front, driver cockpit and rear axle on white background

Economy

Save in the right place.

A good feeling. Mercedes-Benz has already subjected the new chassis to intensive tests. This includes endurance tests or tests on the hydropulse system of components, for example axles or tanks. And the new engines were also tested from the icy Arctic Circle to the heat and dust of South Africa under the toughest conditions for use in complete buses or for operation in trucks with a gross train weight of up to 40 t. The tests also included maximum loads that never occur in real scheduled-service bus operation. All for one objective: your good feeling of having a secure fundamental for demanding, economical and environmentally friendly city and inter-city buses.

Less is more.

Mercedes-Benz has not only managed to keep fuel consumption as low as usual, but also to reduce AdBlue consumption by up to 40% and oil consumption by up to 50%. With 280 litres of diesel and 45 litres of AdBlue, your customers will be able to cover even longer distances in the future. And the diesel particulate filter has change intervals of up to 240,000 km or after 2 years.

Illustration of a 48-volt hybrid drive as electrical support. The two modules show housing, copper wires and visible rotor

The intelligent use of kinetic energy.

The vehicle with 48 V hybrid system impresses with greater profitability and sustainability through lower fuel consumption and reduction of exhaust gas emissions. The diesel engine is supported by the driving force of a highly efficient hybrid module. The module’s 14 kW electric motor generates energy when coasting and braking, thus supporting the diesel engine when moving off and idling. The system has autonomous energy management and thus unchanged driving characteristics and familiar operation for the driver.

Technology

A clean performance.

The new Mercedes-Benz OM 936 engine brings its 220 kW (299 hp) to the road in a highly efficient manner. The particularly compact and lightweight six-cylinder in-line engine combines impressive performance with a temperamental start even at low engine speeds and smooth running with low fuel consumption and exemplary environmental protection. The strict specifications were achieved by combining common rail injection, demand-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection for cleaning the exhaust gases.

Another plus of the low-floor chassis is the standardised interfaces for your electronics and a modular electrical compartment in the driver cockpit with standardised slots. All systems are subdivided into code numbers and are therefore particularly unmistakable. This allows you to connect the electrics of your body flexibly and without difficulty - and at the same time have free hands for the placement and installation of your electronic components.

Side view of Mercedes-Benz bus drive module with diesel engine, belt drive, turbocharger and cooling unit in the frame
Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE bus chassis with exposed drivetrain, high-voltage cables and components on studio background

Safety

Be on the safe side.

The bus is considered one of the safest and most comfortable means of transport in the world. Innovations from Mercedes-Benz play a decisive role in this - and also make the OC 500 LE a pioneer on the roads.

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 an acute risk of collision, the driver is alerted by a visual and audible warning and partial braking is automatically initiated.

Graphic of a bus turning assistant: sensor fields detect cyclists and pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing in front of the bus

Frontguard Assist is an advanced system that has been specially developed to inform the driver about people in the immediate vicinity of the front of the vehicle and to warn of an imminent accident. Whether moving off or driving slowly (up to 15 km/h), the intelligent assistant can detect potential collisions with unprotected road users.

Graphic: Bus with sensor fields detects car and cyclist in the intersection area, danger zones marked in red

Sideguard Assist 2 is a safety assistance system that supports the driver on both sides in critical turning situations with possibly restricted visibility. The system is intended to help the driver to detect moving obstacles within the system limits and warn the driver in order to avoid critical situations or reduce the consequences of accidents when turning off or when changing lanes.

The side areas of the vehicle are monitored. This means that vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists that could 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.

Blue location pin with white coffee cup as symbol in the pin

Attention Assist 2.

Attention Assist uses a discreetly installed driver camera to detect signs of fatigue or distraction. If the system detects any irregularities in eye or lid closing behaviour, it includes you via a warning tone and display - for maximum safety on long journeys.

Automatic activation and clear instructions

Attention Assist is automatically active after the vehicle is started. Fatigue is detected from approx. 30 km/h, distraction is already detected from approx. 20 km/h. Restrictions in the function can occur due to short driving times, unfavourable lighting conditions, a covered camera or areas of the face - for example in strong sunlight, glasses, headgear or dirty lenses. In such cases, an automated message appears on the display with a cleaning instruction.

Mercedes-Benz chassis with exposed components and wiring in a light studio, side view

Comfort

Driver cockpit.

Plenty of room for manoeuvre.

The driver cockpit in the OC 500 LE can be conveniently adapted to a wide range of requirements. The steering column is adjustable in elevation and inclination. Instead of a conventional gearshift lever, a variably positionable joystick with pneumatic gearshift assist (PSH) is located next to the driver cockpit. It is easy to reach and operate and ensures gearshifting comfort as in a car. This relieves the driver and helps him to concentrate fully on the road - an important contribution to greater driving safety.

Vehicle dynamics - build on refinement.

Progress on two axes.

With the OC 500 LE, you can ensure your customers an advanced driving experience. The front axle ensures demanding low-floor comfort in the front section. It stabilises your body against rolling movements, keeps the bus safely in lane and allows particularly wide wheel angles. A turning circle of approx. 21 m on the 12-metre-long two-axle vehicle speaks for itself. The new rear axle is the ideal complement to this. Thanks to further improved axle guidance, it transfers the drive power to the road extremely efficiently and ensures exceptional ride comfort with low-friction and quiet running.

Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE bus chassis in profile on numbered platforms, blue marked section under the front axle

Module

Five modules. Greater flexibility.

The modular concept of the OC 500 LE from Mercedes-Benz, based on a sophisticated and tried-and-tested vehicle concept, enables maximum flexibility and thus ensures an absolute variety of variants. With a gross vehicle weight of 19 t, the chassis meets very different market requirements and ensures maximum flexibility with various body solutions, widths and lengths.

The driver cockpit in the OC 500 LE is fully functional and can be conveniently adapted to your specific requirements. You can set it up variably in three levels. The steering column and instrument panel are also adjustable in elevation and inclination.

Give your customers an advanced driving experience. The front axle of the OC 500 LE guarantees demanding low-floor comfort in the front section. At the same time, it stabilises your body against rolling movements and keeps the vehicle extremely safely in lane. The optional stabilizer bars further improve roadholding. The high quality of the front axle also makes your bus particularly manoeuvrable. The turning circle of a 12 m vehicle is 20.70 m. In addition, you can equip the chassis with a pneumatic raising/lowering device to prevent damage to the underside of the vehicle when driving over obstacles or steep road crossings.

The stroller is a sturdy frame that protects harnesses and other components from damage during transportation. This makes the OC 500 LE manoeuvrable and steerable with its own drive. The frame is deliberately small in terms of transport costs. Simple screws that are quick and easy to loosen hold it together. Quick-release couplings on the cable harnesses, which provide you with sufficient cable length for the body, also help you to get started quickly. With the OC 500 LE, you save valuable time before the first work step.

Customer satisfaction also depends on the ride comfort of your buses, which is why the drive axle of the OC 500 LE is designed to meet the highest demands. For example, guide arms mounted directly on the axle housing ensure optimised load application. You can choose between different gear ratios so that you can tailor your vehicles to suit different applications. Your customers will also appreciate the fact that the drive axle does not need lubrication. It runs virtually maintenance-free - low maintenance costs included.

The OM 936 brings its 220 kW (299 hp) to the road extremely efficiently. The particularly compact and lightweight six-cylinder in-line engine combines impressive performance with a temperamental start even at low engine speeds and smooth running with low fuel consumption and exemplary environmental friendliness. The strict specifications were achieved by combining common rail injection, demand-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection for cleaning the exhaust gases.

Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric bus driving on a road, with symbols for networked functions displayed

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.

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Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE bus chassis on an open test area, with a city skyline in the background

Technical data

All technical data and equipment at a glance.

There are chassis. And Mercedes-Benz chassis. In today’s tough competition, the star makes the difference.

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Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF bus chassis with exposed technology, driver’s seat and stacked tires in a large industrial hall

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FAQs

The Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis combines low-floor comfort, a modular vehicle concept and efficient Mercedes-Benz drive technology. Thanks to its high degree of flexibility, it is ideally suited for individually designed city and inter-city buses and impresses with its profitability, safety and versatile application options.

The modular concept of the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis creates a high degree of flexibility in the vehicle body. The driver cockpit, instrument panel, second door and drive axle can be arranged or coordinated variably.

The Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis offers modern safety and assistance systems such as Active Break Assist 6 Plus, Sideguard Assist 2, Traffic Sign Assist and Frontguard Assist. These systems support drivers in critical situations and contribute to safety in scheduled-service bus operations.

The Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis is equipped with the compact and lightweight Mercedes-Benz OM 936 in-line six-cylinder engine. The engine delivers 220 kW or 299 hp and combines efficient performance with smooth running, low consumption and modern exhaust gas cleaning.

Yes. The Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis can be equipped with a 48-volt hybrid system. The hybrid module uses kinetic energy when coasting and braking and supports the diesel engine when moving off and idling.

Assistance systems can only support drivers. Drivers are always fully responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle.