Setra, the premium coach brand of Daimler Trucks, is marking its 75th anniversary with a major facelift for its ComfortClass and TopClass models. The German company, which pioneered the self-supporting coach body in 1951, is now offering a new level of long-distance travel comfort, safety, and efficiency with its next-generation vehicles.
Setra's history of innovation and excellence
Setra was founded in 1948 by Otto Kässbohrer, who had a vision of creating a coach that was more than just a bus. He wanted to combine the comfort of the car with the capacity of a bus and to do so, he invented the self-supporting body structure that eliminated the need for a separate chassis. This innovation reduced the weight and height of the coach, increased the luggage space, and improved the stability and aerodynamics.
The first Setra coach, the S 8, was launched in 1951 and was an instant success. It was followed by many other models that introduced new features such as air suspension, panoramic windows, air conditioning, and automatic transmission. Setra also expanded its product range to include city, intercity, and double-decker buses.
Today, Setra is one of the leading coach brands in Europe and beyond, with a reputation for quality, reliability, and elegance. Setra coaches are used by tour operators, charter companies, public transport authorities, and private customers for various purposes such as sightseeing, business travel, sports events, and VIP transport.
Setra's next-generation coaches: ComfortClass and TopClass
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Setra has given its ComfortClass and TopClass models a comprehensive facelift that reflects its heritage and future. The new generation of coaches features a striking design that combines the classic Setra logo with a glossy black background and chrome elements. The front and rear lights have been redesigned to create a distinctive look that enhances the visibility and safety of the coaches.
The interior of the new coaches has also been upgraded to offer more space, comfort, and convenience for passengers and drivers. The seats have been ergonomically optimized and equipped with USB ports and reading lights. The lighting concept has been improved to create a pleasant atmosphere with different colors and modes. The climate control system has been enhanced to ensure optimal temperature and air quality.
The new Setra buses also boast the latest technology and assistance systems that make them more efficient, safe, and easy to operate. Some of the key features include:
- Active Drive Assist 2 (ADA 2), which enables semi-automated driving in all speed ranges by controlling the steering, braking, and acceleration of the coach.
- Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC), which adapts the shift strategy to the topography and road conditions to save fuel and reduce emissions.
- Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) is the first emergency brake assistant for coaches that can react to pedestrians with an emergency braking maneuver.
- Keyless start and electronic parking brake, which simplify the start-up and parking process for the driver.
- Coach Infotainment Series (CIS) provides entertainment and information for passengers and drivers through various media sources such as radio, TV, DVD, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI, or Wi-Fi.
Setra's anniversary customers: Hirsch Reisen GmbH
One of the first customers to receive the new generation of Setra coaches is Hirsch Reisen GmbH, a family-owned tour operator based in Karlsruhe, Germany. The company has ordered four ComfortClass S 516 HD/2 vehicles to celebrate its own 75th anniversary.
Hirsch Reisen GmbH was founded in 1948 by Karl Hirsch, who started with a single bus that he used to transport workers from Karlsruhe to nearby factories. Over the years, the company grew to become one of the leading tour operators in Germany, offering domestic and international trips to various destinations such as Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic.
The company has been a loyal customer of Setra since 1959 when it bought its first S 10 coach. Since then, it has purchased more than 100 Setra vehicles, including city buses, intercity buses, double-decker buses, and touring coaches. The company values Setra's quality, comfort, safety, service, and innovation.
The four new ComfortClass S 516 HD/2 vehicles will join Hirsch Reisen's fleet of 25 coaches, which have an average age of three years. The new vehicles have 48 seats each, with leather upholstery, adjustable headrests, footrests, and seat belts. They also have a kitchenette, a toilet, a refrigerator, and a coffee machine. The vehicles are equipped with the latest technology and assistance systems, such as ADA 2, PPC, ABA 5, CIS, and a reversing camera.
The new vehicles will be used for various tours, such as city, cultural, wellness, and hiking trips. The company expects the new vehicles to attract more customers and increase their satisfaction. The company also hopes that the new vehicles will reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
