OREANDA-NEWS. In the IBC international comparative test, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro  scores 85 percent of total points to beat the competition. It confirms its outstanding efficiency in the test and sets new benchmarks set for safety.

"Whoever comes out on top in this test certainly deserves the coveted IBC trophy", explains Lutz Gerritzen, editor-in-chief of trade journal Busfahrt at the 2014 International Motor Show (IAA) Commercial Vehicles. This year's winner was the Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which beat no fewer than four competitors to emerge triumphant in the year's toughest comparative test for buses. With a newly developed design, the market leader's low-floor bus met the high expectations of industry insiders and chalked up 85 percent of total points.

In spite of its consistently high performance, it recorded the lowest fuel consumption levels of all as well as raising the bar in its segment with exemplary active and passive safety features. Passengers enjoy high ride comfort in an exceptionally attractive environment, while driving personnel can work under ideal ergonomic conditions. And if the Citaro needs to visit the workshop, the manufacturer is at hand with an outstanding all-round service.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro confirms its outstanding efficiency in the test

As the test winner, the new Citaro is therefore the ideal choice when it comes to acquiring an urban bus. The high investments made by Daimler Buses in vehicle development are now paying off. "We are proud to receive this prestigious award - particularly given that the test was carried out under real-life conditions, taking into account the economic situation currently faced by transport services", explained Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, in reference to the IBC Award 2014."The successful figures for our Citaro speak for themselves. No other manufacturer has ever sold more than 40,000 regular-service buses from an urban bus family and the success story is still going strong."

The annual IBC (International Bus & Coach Competition) test marathon, which is organised by trade journal BusFahrt and its media partners, is held in high esteem in the bus sector. The test crew, which consists of journalists and fleet operators, focuses on regular-service buses and coaches in alternate years. This year, five of the very latest urban buses with Euro VI engines - together accounting for over 75 percent of the European urban bus market - were put through their paces at test partner MVG's. To ensure maximum comparability, the IBC organisers had specified low-floor buses in the standard 12-metre format with plus/minus 300 hp of engine power.

All test candidates carried 4,500 kg in ballast and used the same tyres and lubricants. The aim was to gauge, under real-life test conditions, the level of comfort and safety provided for passengers and driving personnel. Needless to say, there was a particular focus on cost-effectiveness and on the level of efficiency that can be expected by bus service operators. After 3,500 test kilometres and numerous individual inspections, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro was singled out by the panel of judges as the best urban bus on the market at present.