Full range for the UK!

Stuart Jones was in Brussels for the launch and brings readers a preview of the new incarnation of one of the UK’s best-selling coaches

New Tourismos will be available in right-hand drive right from the outset

I can’t ever remember it happening before, indeed I don’t think it has, but this week’s unveiling of the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coach included a right-hand drive coach among the launch vehicles. Furthermore, the UK and Irish product offering will not be limited to a couple of models from within a larger range available to left-hand drive customers; it will include every length and model option from the new high-floor Tourismo range. This doubles the range overnight because in addition to the 12m two-axle and 13m three-axle M/3 variants currently marketed there will now be a 14m tri-axle L model and a two-axle M/2 13m coach which I believe has the potential to be the brand’s best seller in this market. There will be a full range of seat and interior options but more of that next week.

You’ll be able to see this right hand drive 12.3m Tourismo for yourself at the NEC later this year

The other exciting innovation for the UK is that in addition to the existing OM470 10.7-litre engine range, the Tourismo will be offered with the smaller 7.7-litre OM936 unit, already offered in the Citaro. With a 250kg reduction in the weight of the engine and after-treatment system added to the 200kg saved across the range on the weight of the structure, it gives a 450kg lighter coach to propel, with potential benefits on fuel economy.

All UK models have this dash arrangement

With an impressive aerodynamic figure of only 0.33CD, the new Tourismo has a variety of features that lead Mercedes-Benz to promise fuel savings of between 4% and 7%. On top of this there are additional safety features including R66.02 rollover compliance, a new range of seats, new connectivity options and the promise of even more improvements in the future. Prices will go up but, perhaps not as much as you might expect. Don’t miss next week’s full report.

A new option for Tourismo is the six-cylinder in-line 7.7-litre OM936 unit which develops 260kW:354bhp