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New edition of a classic - The new NEOPLAN Cityliner is at the starting line

Design and fittings – elegant in every way

The new NEOPLAN Cityliner embodies the ultimate in bus design. Its lines radiate a sleek elegance with the overall impression characterised by the dynamic shape and cosmopolitan, understated glass and gloss surfaces. NEOPLAN designer Michael Streicher has quite deliberately avoided visual decoration and design flourishes. It is precisely this which gives the NEOPLAN Cityliner a modern, new look whilst at the same time retaining the character of the traditional tour bus classic by carefully developing the typical design elements. The fact that, despite retaining traditional features and all the constant standards of the brand, the look of the new vehicle is more modern and striking than its predecessor is due to a few design tricks and its formal relationship to the premium ultra high-decker NEOPLAN Starliner. Whilst design features such as the “diamond cut” on the roof edge over the side panes, or the driver windows extending well back which also emphasise the typical “look-out platform appearance” of the front, give the bus its unmistakable character, tried and tested components from the NEOPLAN Starliner such as the front apron, tailgate, side flap handles or side panes ensure a high quality to the range from the start. There is space for around 9.4 – 11.4m³ (Cityliner HD / HDL) of luggage behind the top-hung luggage flaps, which are also available as optional parallel swivel flaps. Additional, externally accessed storage space is now available over the wheel arch on the high-decker, as well as in the special utility area behind the driver.

Just as the bodywork of the new NEOPLAN Cityliner appears seductively beautiful, so the designers have achieved a timeless elegance in the interior. The high, free-hanging luggage racks alone lend an air of spaciousness and elegance. With a depth of 215 millimeters they are among the largest in this category. Such smart details as the side windows curving upwards to the ceiling – thereby allowing a larger field of vision – are typical of the new generation of Cityliners. This tour bus is not just a vehicle but more of a living space that reflects the joie de vivre of its passengers, thereby making travelling a pleasure. In the 12.24-metre-long twin-axle version of the Cityliner HD, there is room for a minimum of between 46 (4-star version) and 51 (3-star version) passengers. By contrast, the 12.99-metre-long triple-axle Cityliner HDC has more than 50 or 55 passenger seats and the long triple-axle Cityliner HDL has 54 or 59 seats (all figures include built-in toilet).

A successful interaction of attractive design and practicality is also reflected in the cockpit. This is impressive not just because of the enormous space for the driver but also mainly due to the extraordinarily practical design. The driver can control the key driving and onboard functions via the exclusively designed multifunction steering wheel (optionally in leather) without taking his hands off the wheel. The cockpit-like dashboard conforms to the latest state-of-the art ergonomics, thereby allowing a safe, relaxed drive. There is easily room in the generous, exemplary large storage compartments for all tools and travel documents for the driver and courier.

A rear-fitted roof air conditioning system with 30 kW cooling capacity provides a pleasant travel atmosphere in the new NEOPLAN Cityliner. A 36 kW heating system is also available for both triple-axle versions. Due to its cutting-edge technology, the standard system is not only considerably lighter (around 70kg) but also requires just half the amount of coolant as previous roof systems. The driver is provided with a separately controlled front box for the cockpit area as standard. Using the cylindrical ventilation jets familiar from the first generation Starliner, they extend in a narrow channel below the storage racks, allowing each passenger to adjust the airflow individually. Continuous sidewall convectors ensure even temperatures when the heating is on.

The structure – stable basis for bus life

The fact that, in the pleasing design, the bus designers have not excessively stressed safety features – such as the rigid roll bar front and back – is a sign of the NEOPLAN team’s approach to technical safety: the highest standards of bus safety are de rigeur in NEOPLAN buses. To reinforce the overall bodywork of the bus, the builders of the new NEOPLAN Cityliner are using the tried and tested circular frame technology from the Starliner, in which the horizontal struts extend around the entire structure like in shipbuilding. At the intersections taking particular strain between undercarriage, floor and roof, the circular struts are manufactured in a special inner pipe technology without welded joints and additionally strengthened using stable joint plates. In addition, a new steel with greater strength is used for the shell.

All these measures result in a high degree of rigidity, extremely low vehicle noise and therefore maximum drive comfort. Using modular components from the NEOMAN manufacturing partnership, for instance for the drive shaft, guarantees optimal availability of spare parts and high model quality from the start.

Drive and chassis – powerful and dynamic

The new NEOPLAN Cityliner HD is driven by the 10.5-litre large series 6-cylinder turbodiesel MAN D 2066 LOH 03/04 Common Rail as standard. The Cityliner therefore has the latest Euro 4 technology, which can also do without the costly and complicated use of urea. With the patented MAN PM-KAT®, the bus even has an particulate filter with  open structures on board as standard. In the standard version, the vertically installed rear engine provides the twin-axle Cityliner HD with 400 hp. A version with 440 hp is also available as an option. The longer triple-axle version of the Cityliner comes with the 440 hp variant as standard, as well as the 480 hp MAN D 2676 LOH 02 Common Rail with 12.4-litre cubic capacity, which is always available with a TipMatic transmission. Common to all engines is the modern common rail injection, which provides huge torque of 1,900 Nm (440 hp: 2,100 Nm/480 hp: 2,300 Nm) over a wide rev count range of 1,000-1,400 rpm. A 6-speed manual gearbox operated via a comfortable, cable gearshift transfers power to the drive axle. The chassis with tried and tested independent suspension and the front and multiple hypoid axle at the rear is based on advanced MAN technology and is always fitted with an electronic stabiliser programme (ESP), which helps to stabilise the vehicle in critical situations by operating the engine or brake. Also available as an option is the electronically controlled suspension system CDS (Comfort Drive Suspension), which constantly ensures optimum drive comfort, enhanced vehicle handling and greater vehicle safety in every drive situation.

Electronics and auxiliary systems – modern onboard aids

In addition, many electronic aids contribute to safety – such as, for instance, the brake assistant fitted as standard or the maximum speed control. The brake assistant basically recognises an emergency stop based on the brake pedal path and pedal acceleration, and immediately builds up the maximum possible braking pressure. The maximum speed control (MSC) is part of the integrated speed control system and prevents the maximum speed being exceeded, even when going downhill, by operating the engine brake or retarder. The latest driver aid systems and the distance control Tempomat ACC or the track monitoring system LGS are also available as options on the new NEOPLAN Cityliner. A further safety factor is the innovative light concept of the Cityliner, which is the first bus in its class to be fitted as standard with a bend light, which uses an enlarged beam of light to significantly improve vision on narrow bends and turns. The modular headlights can also be fitted with bi-xenon light as an option.

Maintenance and service – comprehensive coverage

State-of-the-art drive components and a large number of maintenance-free components are combined in the NEOPLAN Cityliner for the greatest possible benefit to the customer. Low-consumption EURO 4 engines also ensure the tour bus is highly economical, as do the long service intervals of 120,000 kilometres. The Cityliner is sold in all European countries via the NEOMAN Bus GmbH sales network. Each customer therefore has full access as required to the standard expertise in the area of after-sales services and the specialised bus-related services offered by MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. By using the integrated TEPS® onboard electronics, the electronics can be diagnosed at any garage using the MAN Cats II® tool.

Technical data for NEOPLAN Cityliner

 

Salzgitter, July 2006