As a full-line supplier, the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit fulfils all the wishes formulated by customers of EvoBus GmbH, which is responsible for DaimlerChrysler’s European bus and coach business. One example of such service is the two-door, two-axle Mercedes-Benz Tourino midi touring coach, which is 9.35 metres long and can seat up to 36 passengers. The vehicle meets the increasing demand for an easy-to-operate touring coach for transporting small groups. In addition to its compact dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz Tourino stands out through state-of-the-art engineering and extensive convenience features available as standard equipment. The coach is based on a unique concept that provides the foundation for excellent driving and travel comfort. For example, no other midicoach can boast the combination of rear-mounted engine, independent front suspension, and a high-quality comprehensive safety package that includes the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). As if that weren’t enough, the Tourino has undergone a substantial and detailed upgrade for model year 2007.

Attractive design and all-round innovative engineering

The 9.35-metre-long Mercedes-Benz Tourino is not simply a shortened version of the 12-metre Tourismo or Travego touring coach; instead, it is an independent development that was added to the Mercedes-Benz-product portfolio. The Tourino’s compact dimensions (length: 9.35 metres; height: 3.30 metres; width: 2.40 metres) make it extremely agile and easy to manoeuvre even on tight inner-city streets and country roads: The vehicle’s wheelbase of 4.68 metres gives it a turning circle of only 17.12 metres.

The Mercedes-Benz Tourino’s attractive appearance sets it apart from all other midicoaches. However, despite the eye-catching exterior, it is clearly distinguishable as a member of the Mercedes-Benz coach family. For example, one of the Tourino’s defining elements is the typical “Mercedes-Benz face”. The brand’s trademark star is attractively integrated into the front panel, and the Tourino’s deeply recessed and arched windscreen, along with the low contour of the roof, give it an extremely dynamic look.

The balanced arrangement of the side windows and side panels is as much a distinguishing feature of the Tourino as its prominent and unmistakable profile, which has the B-pillar rising initially and then slanting up to flow directly into the roof contour. The roof-mounted air conditioning unit also blends in well with the vehicle’s exterior design lines, which come together in the rear in such a manner as to make the Tourino the image of perfection.

New: optional compact onboard kitchen now available inside the rear entrance as well

Although the Mercedes-Benz Tourino represents a response to the trend towards smaller tour groups, it makes absolutely no sacrifices when it comes to comfort. The vehicle, which can seat up to 36 passengers, meets the highest demands for a midi touring coach in terms of engineering, appearance and comfort, and its extensive range of standard interior equipment leaves practically no wish unfulfilled. With a seating distance interval of 900 mm (five-star standard), the Mercedes-Benz Tourino can seat up to 30 passengers. It can accommodate 32 passengers with a seating distance interval of 830 mm (four-star standard), and if the interval is lowered to 770 mm (three-star standard), the midi touring coach can seat 34 passengers.

A new seating variant for the four-star standard has seven rows of seating on the left and right of the coach, and also includes a large, tried and tested rear kitchen that comes in three equipment-package variants. Also now available, however, is a new compact kitchen located in the rear entrance in front of the second door and behind the last row of seats. This kitchen can be installed in the Tourino without sacrificing any seats.

Passengers enter the Mercedes-Benz Tourino midi touring coach via two convenient entrances, one in the front with three step treads, and one in the back with four step treads. The height of the front entryway is 388 mm, while that of the rear is 324 mm. The outward swinging doors open wide and have a width of 855 mm in front and 800 mm in the rear. Passengers who travel in the Tourino will experience interior dimensions that set standards in the vehicle’s market segment. In particular, headroom of 1.94 metres gives passengers a feeling of true roominess. The 380-mm-wide aisle is illuminated by lights in the seat bases as standard, and makes it easy for everyone to get to their seats quickly and safely. Full-length and amply-dimensioned luggage racks for hand luggage are located above the seats.

Comfortable seats, pleasant atmosphere on board

Light colours throughout the entire interior, and comfortable “Inter-Star Plus” seating, make for a very friendly atmosphere inside the Mercedes-Benz Tourino. All colours and materials from the Mercedes-Benz Design Studio in Mannheim are available for designing the Tourino’s interior, including walls and ceiling trim, as well as seats. The adjustable seats have fold-up armrests facing the aisle, are variably adjustable, and can be fitted with footrests, fold-out trays, ashtrays, and luggage nets if so desired. The service sets integrated into the luggage racks above each set of double seats were developed especially for the Tourino and contain two individually adjustable air nozzles and reading lights, a call button, and speakers.

To ensure comfortable interior temperatures even in summer heat, the Mercedes-Benz Tourino comes with a 22-kW air conditioning unit as standard equipment. Mounted on the roof, the air conditioner blends in harmoniously with the coach’s overall exterior design. Also standard in the Tourino is a high-performance convector heater, as well as a second heating unit located in the front cabinet. There are also two electrically operated skylights that also serve as emergency exits, and a sophisticated, drought-free ventilation system. A third heater can be ordered as an option. Air conditioner, convector heater, service sets with speakers and reading lights — the Tourino’s interior measures up to anything a large touring coach can offer.

Cockpit now even more ergonomic; more stowage compartments

The Tourino’s luxurious interior design also includes a well-equipped ergonomic driver workplace featuring a comfort suspension seat. The newly designed, cockpit-like instrument panel featuring “Soft Touch” surfaces is based on the latest ergonomic expertise, thus allowing for safe and relaxed driving. The instrument panel design now corresponds to that of the large buses that bear the Mercedes star and buttons and switches are arranged in a manner that makes them easier to reach. In addition, the driver’s microphone is now conveniently integrated into the driver’s seat, and all displays are non-reflecting and fitted with backlighting. Excellent all-round visibility is ensured by the large, one-piece windscreen made of lightly tinted laminated safety glass, as well as by electrically heated and adjustable exterior mirrors.

Depending on the way the Tourino is to be used, a navigation system and/or radio, DVD, and TV/video unit can also be installed. A flat LCD screen that folds out electrically and is located in the front of the coach is also available to serve as an information and entertainment system for passengers. The size of the screen has been increased from 12.1 inches to 15 inches to give passengers a better view.

Large and versatile luggage storage area

The Mercedes-Benz Tourino’s luggage storage area spans the width of the coach and has a volume of 4.1 m³. It can be opened quickly and easily from both sides of the vehicle via two hinged flaps on each side. To make things more convenient, the aperture angle of the hatches has been increased from 126 to 150 degrees. The hatches can also be fitted with an optional lifting mechanism. Large cargo volume and easy accommodation of big, bulky luggage, coupled with the rear-mounted engine, impressively and clearly distinguish the Mercedes-Benz Tourino from conventional midi touring coach concepts based on truck chassis with front-mounted engines.

New: accommodation of significantly more cargo with new rear axle

The Mercedes-Benz Tourino is equipped with a modern, state-of-the-art powertrain that features several innovations. Along with the rear-mounted engine, these include a new front axle with independent suspension developed especially for the midi touring coach. Another new development is the Mercedes-Benz HO4 rear axle with a gross axle weight rating of 9.44 tonnes, rather than the previous axle’s 8.5 tonnes. The new axle increases the Tourino’s gross vehicle weight rating to 13.14 tonnes. This significantly raises the payload reserve and enables practical additional equipment features such as ski boxes to be added without having to reduce seating capacity. It also makes it possible for the Tourino to transport a trailer weighing two tonnes (e.g. for carrying bicycles).

Extensive safety features

Safety was a top priority in the development of the Mercedes-Benz Tourino midi touring coach. Key active safety elements in the vehicle include the electronic braking system EBS with disk brakes all-round, integrated in which are also the standard ASR acceleration skid control and the ABS anti-lock braking system. The latest-generation pneumatic disk brakes with the integrated Brake Assist (BA) system are very sensitive and provide strong and balanced braking at all four wheels. Like all other touring coaches currently offered by Mercedes-Benz, the Tourino midi touring coach also comes with ESP as standard equipment. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Tourino is equipped with a type VR 123 retarder from Voith.

Euro 4 engines with Blue-Tec diesel technology are more powerful, more economical and cleaner

The Tourino midi touring coach is powered by a rear-mounted OM 926 LA turbo-diesel engine with a displacement of 7.2 litres. However, the drive system now uses Blue-Tec diesel technology with an SCR catalytic converter, thereby enabling the coach to meet the Euro 4 emission limits. This adjustment has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in engine power, with maximum output now at 210 kW/286 hp at 2,200 rpm. Maximum torque has increased to 1120 Nm at the unchanged engine speed of 1200–1600 rpm. The Euro 4 engine with Blue-Tec diesel technology stands out not only through its relatively clean emissions but also through optimised combustion and noticeably lower fuel consumption.

The fully synchronised G 85-6 six-speed manual transmission from Mercedes-Benz remains the means for transferring power to the Tourino’s axles. Customers can choose between two different axle drive ratios of i = 3.909 (standard) and i = 4.300 for the drive shaft to meet any conceivable demand profile for Europe. The top-mounted engine in the rear of the Tourino makes for interior noise levels much lower than is generally the case with the front mounted engine design common to most coaches in the Tourino’s segment.

The value retention and longevity typical of the Mercedes-Benz brand is also a feature of the Tourino, thanks to, among other things, comprehensive rust protection and a paint concept that employs partial cathodic dip bath priming. Like all Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches, the Tourino is sold throughout Western European via the EvoBus European sales network. As such, owners and operators of the mid touring coach can take advantage of the complete expertise and after-sales service offered by EvoBus, as well as the specialised services provided by Omniplus.