Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro

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Citaro G natural gas bus built for üstra, Hanover in a special design body by James Irvine.

A Citaro bus in Bucharest, Romania on RATB Route 131

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro (or: O530) is the current Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus mainstream bus intended for public transport. It features a low floor, making it more accessible for people with disabilities and people with young children or carrying heavy items.

There are several versions available:

Standard 12m twin-axle
10.5m twin-axle (Citaro K)
18m articulated (Citaro G)
15m tri-axle (Citaro L)
12m "low entry" (Citaro LE)
A series of suburban/interurban versions (Citaro Ü series).

Aside from the usual diesel engines, the Citaro is also available with a powerful Euro 4 natural gas engine (model M 447 hLAG) rated at 185 kW (252 PS) or 240 kW (326 PS) - the latter rating used mainly for interurban and articulated buses or standard-length city buses operating in areas with a hilly topography. These engines are also optionally available with EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicles) certification, meaning that their emission levels are lower than even the most stringent European Union emissions standards.

The Citaro is highly customizable; transporters can determine their own seating plan, making the bus ideal for both city and interlocal transport.

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus launched the New Citaro - basically an original Citaro with a facelift and featuring a Euro 4 engine. For new purchases, the original Citaro has now been completely replaced by the New Citaro.

However, when Transport for London ordered them in 2003-2004, four Citaros caught fire, luckily with no casualties besides the buses. In fact, one was burned on delivery, for reasons unexplained. Mercedes-Benz did, however, address the problem, though the buses were withdrawn for some time. Unfortunately, these buses were said to have marred the reputation of articulated buses in the United Kingdom, and some Londoners nicknamed them "Chariots of Fire"[1].

1 Hybrid and electric version
2 Hydrogen version
3 Specifications
4 See also
5 External links
- 5.1 Hydrogen

[edit] Hybrid and electric version

See: hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle.

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

[edit] Hydrogen version

Even though the usual Citaro offerings are powered by diesel or natural gas, there is also a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version. Several of these buses have been in service in a variety of different world cities in order to test the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells in different operating circumstances and different conditions, especially weather conditions.

[edit] Specifications

By length

[edit] O530 - normal version

Length: 11.95 m.
Height: 3 m (base diesel)
Mass: 10938 kg (base diesel)
Seating capacity can vary between 28 and 40.
Power: 6374 cc Euro 2/3 engines (OM 906 hLA): 231/245/279 hp (170/180/205 kW); 11967 cc Euro 2/3/4/5* engines (OM 457 hLA): 252/299/354 hp (185/220/260 kW); 11967 cc CNG engines (M 447 hLAG): 252/326 hp (185/240 kW); 6374 cc Euro 4/5 engines (OM 906 hLA): 286 hp (211 kW).

The new Citaro: Mercedes/EvoBus information sheets

[edit] O530L - 15 metre bus

Length: 14,995 m
Height: 3 m
Mass: unknown
Seating capacity can vary between 42 and 46.
Power: 11967 cc Euro 2/3/4/5 engines (OM 457 hLA): 299/354 hp (220/260 kW).

[edit] O530G - Articulated bus

A Mercedes-Benz Citaro G articulated bus

Length: 17,94 m
Height: 3 m (base diesel)
Mass: 28 tonnes (base diesel)
Seating capacity: approx. 48 seats
Power: 6374 cc Euro 2/3 engines (OM 906 hLA): 279 hp (205 kW); 11967 cc Euro 2/3/4/5 engines (OM 457 hLA): 299/354 hp (220/260 kW); 11967 cc CNG engines (M 447 hLAG): 326 hp (240 kW); 6374 cc Euro 4/5 engines (OM 906 hLA): 286 hp (211 kW).

The new Citaro G: Mercedes/EvoBus information sheets