The basis of modern buses.
Omnibus Magazine

The basis of modern buses.

New top-range technology for the OC 500 bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz.

With the new OC 500 RF and LE chassis, bodywork manufacturers have the perfect basis for city buses and coaches – at the highest technological level.

Latin America, Asia, Southern Europe... everywhere in the world, buses and coaches are put together by specialist bodywork manufacturers on the basis of Mercedes-Benz chassis. With the update to the OC 500 bus and coach chassis, new electronics systems have been integrated that are otherwise only available in the market-leading complete buses by Mercedes-Benz.

At the centre of the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 chassis family is the B2E+ electronics structure, as first used in two complete Mercedes-Benz models, the Intouro and Tourrider (USA). This forms the basis for new, intelligent assistance systems. With them, chassis with the Mercedes star are setting benchmarks across the sector and introducing previously unheard-of safety standards to many markets. And not only this: combined with fittings and features that are strictly tailored for efficiency, the assistance systems also set new benchmarks for the realisation of highly profitable bus and coach bodywork.

The basis of modern buses. – New top-range technology for the OC 500 bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz.

The B2E+ electronics structure from Mercedes-Benz forms the basis for new, intelligent assistance systems.

The basis of modern buses. – New top-range technology for the OC 500 bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz.

All engines correspond to the current highly efficient Euro VI-E emissions standard.

With the new OC 500 chassis, bodywork manufacturers have access to revolutionary safety systems. Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) is the world’s first emergency braking assistant for buses and coaches that can execute automatic full braking when a moving person is detected ahead. The outstanding new underlying safety fittings of the OC 500 chassis also include the optional radar-supported turning assistant Sideguard Assist with person recognition.

“With the new OC 500 chassis, bodywork manufacturers have access to revolutionary safety systems.”

The outstandingly economical performance of the new OC 500 chassis is also based on its assistance systems. The intelligent, forward-looking cruise control Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) integrates a driving style that is automatically tailored to the terrain into the automatic gear shift system and, in conjunction with the precisely tuned shifting strategy, achieves tangible fuel savings of up to five percent. The new optional Driver Score assistant monitors and evaluates the driver’s individual style, giving practical tips if needed on how to optimise fuel consumption and reduce wear. Meanwhile, the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) shows the current pressure in the individual tyres and notifies of any critical deviations – with positive effects on fuel consumption and safety.

The basis of modern buses. – New top-range technology for the OC 500 bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz.

The two-axle OC 500 LE chassis for low-entry buses.

All Mercedes-Benz chassis in this new generation are also fitted as standard with the telematics box “Bus Data Center”. In this way, vehicle data can be read in real time and transmitted to the operational control room. To help with evaluation of the data, OMNIplus ON then offers a plethora of digital services – for fleet managers, workshop managers and drivers. In this way, operators can always keep oversight of their fleet and benefit from optimised vehicle availability and efficient processes.

“All Mercedes-Benz chassis in this new generation are fitted as standard with the telematics box “Bus Data Center”.”

The basis of modern buses. – New top-range technology for the OC 500 bus chassis from Mercedes-Benz.

The new OC 500 RF (Raised Floor) chassis generation in its two-axle variant.

The new chassis generation is offered in the variants OC 500 RF (Raised Floor) and OC 500 LE (Low Entry). Whether it’s a two-axle chassis for low-entry buses or a two- or three-axis chassis for high-floor buses – the new chassis generation has practically all modes of use covered, from robust city buses to refined long-distance coaches. All designs of the OC 500 are available for left-hand or right-hand drive and all engines correspond to the current Euro VI-E emissions standard.