Mercedes-Benz Travego coaches unveiled with active brake assist

Mumbai: Mercedez- Benz has made a world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Travego. The new generation coach is equipped with the multiple-award-winning active brake assist for the first time. The brakes acts as an emergency-braking assistance system, when the risk of crashing into the rear of a slower vehicle ahead is acute. After giving graduated warnings this active safety system automatically brings about emergency braking if the driver shows no reaction.

Active brake assist is based on the proximity control system. It utilises proximity control's radar sensor, which with its three radar beams can recognise obstacles moving in front of the bus, within a defined range. The distance from and the speed relative to the vehicle in front are continuously registered and evaluated. If there is a risk of an accident and the traffic situation remains unchanged, first a graduated warning concept is applied and, after that, emergency braking.

Active Brake Assist now marks a highpoint on the way to realising the vision of accident-free driving. It has successfully demonstrated its efficiency in Mercedes-Benz trucks in more than 350 million kilometres of customer operation. Mercedes has already introduced various active assistance systems such as the electronic stability programme (ESP), lane assistant, continuous braking limiter, brake assist (BA) and proximity control.

The new-generation Travego also offers an innovation in the area of passive safety like the front collision guard (FCG), a unique passive-safety system to protect the driver and tour guide in a head-on crash, and also can prevent a car from riding under the bus. The front section the bus framework consists of crash elements, which dissipate energy in a specific manner in the event of an impact. In addition, the driver's position in the new Travego (including the steering. pedals and seat) is now arranged on a solid frame section which can be displaced in its entirety towards the rear in a severe frontal impact, enlarging the survival space by crucial centimetres.

Another highlight is the new Mercedes PowerShift transmission. This is the first automated manual transmission developed specifically for buses. This new eight-speed transmission significantly reduces fuel consumption and enhances safety and efficiency. The environment profits, too, because the CO2 emissions which are the subject of so much discussion are directly dependent on the level of fuel consumption.

Other new features included in the Travego are the new cornering light function, the new rain/light sensor, LED lights as marker lamps over the windscreen, and an entirely new cockpit designed even more with the driver in mind.

The new-generation Travego will be presented to the general public at the 2008 International Commercial Vehicle Show (IAA) from 25 September to 2 October.