Setra launches the new TopClass coach: look at the presentation (video)

The German company Setra is part of the EvoBus group, which is owned by Daimler AG along with Mercedes-Benz. Here is the latest TopClass trainer.

The history of the German company begins thanks to the brilliant intuition of Karl Kaspührer. In 1907, the builder developed a compact truck with a canvas body and hood. The idea was to use the bus to haul heavy kegs of beer during the week, while on the weekend it became a sightseeing bus in a few simple steps. From under the trunk, seats with folding backs were pulled out on which tourists can sit.

Given the success, In 1911, Carl launched the first public bus, on a Saurer chassis, to carry 18 passengers. The creation of an imposing vehicle capable of carrying so many men had a certain importance even in the years of global conflicts. After the crisis of 1929, the company was reorganized, with Carl Jr. producing truck and trailer bodies, while his brother Otto took care of the bodies of passenger cars and buses. When his father, Karl Kaspührer, died, he had already planned a bright future for the company. In the 1930s the first heavy vehicles arrived with a 20-quart body, large side windows with crank-operated sliding glass, and a sliding roof with circular glazing on either side.

Basically, the buses, thanks to Carl’s children’s intuition, have been converted into luxury cars, equipped with toilets, reclining seats, and even a kitchen and heating. The success was impressive and Carl Jr. and Otto invested in building the biggest bus everAnd in 1939, with the Mercedes Lz 8000 engine. 120 seats plus another 50 for a heavy vehicle 18.7 meters long. As soon as World War II ended, Kässbohrer resumed bus production, launching the Setra S 8 at the 1951 Motor Show. A real beast capable of not stopping on slopes of 30%, consuming 19 liters of diesel every 100 km.

Citra, Evolution in the Name of Tradition

The company immediately represented a reference point, offering interesting innovations for those years. The word citra originated from the German word “Selbsttragend” which means “self-supporting”. In 1959, the first self-supporting articulated bus in Europe was produced with the Setra SG 165. Over the next decades, the TopClass, ComfortClass and MultiClass series appeared. The new Setra ComfortClass and TopClass attracted attention at the Ibe Intermobility & Bus Expo in Rimini. The new generation of Ulm coaches (formerly Kässbohrer) have a Modern look and redesigned frontputting comfort and safety first.

The TopClass trainer, as you might have guessed from the name, represents the ultimate in style and durability. Three ultra-high, high-profile, three-axle HDH models: from the versatile S 515 HDH to the versatile S 516 HDH and the extremely powerful S 517 HDH, from 12.5 to 14.2 meters in length. Huge cargo capacity for passengers and plenty of space on board. The design highlights the utmost quality of the project. The new model, with its denim blue metallic bodywork and detachable parts, is very eye-catching. Also take a look at the Fiat Landtrek. Will it arrive in 2023? Here are its possible forms (video). Is Ferrari launching a pickup too? Here’s how it could be.

The interiors of the German bus are the best of the bunch with wood-like floors, dividing walls, Setra Voyage travel seats with a combination of multi-composition fabrics, headboard and borders in perfect blend with the flooring color. Coach MediaRouter allows access to the Internet while on the go The new Coach Infotainment Series multimedia system, with 21.5-inch foldable screens, provides unique in-flight entertainment. Each element is designed to provide maximum comfort, and precisely to make the movements of several passengers pleasant. USB sockets are inevitable between the seats to allow the opportunity to recharge mobile devices.

The backlit step with the German brand’s lettering is a gem that passengers notice every time they board. The kitchenette is complete with every utensil, including a fridge. There is a very functional bathroom. Safety, the brand’s motto, comes first. Introduce Active Drive Assist 2, crucial to automated driving for tour coaches, including Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist 5, adaptive cruise control, the latest generation predictive powertrain control, Sideguard Assist and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The TopClass bus is equipped with LED headlights and 360-degree camera systems to make life easier for the driver. Check out the video below from the official Alpha SQUAD YouTube channel. Numerous driving assistance systems work for more comfortable journeys than ever, but the driver must remain vigilant, always responsible. TopClass is the flagship of an amazing rangeBut we are sure that the brand will continue to amaze us in the future as well.