The pursuit of mobility continues to escalate in the early 21st century. People are spending more and more time in space, and thanks to GPS, it has never been easier to navigate through neighbouring countries – which now share a common currency in Europe. With its new generation of coaches, Setra makes a clear contribution to enhancing the world’s mobility.
SetraWorld Magazine
The 2000s – en route for a new millennium
Mobility without borders.
Mobility without borders.
The anniversary edition 1951 to 2021.
70 years of Setra, 45 years of the 200 series, 40 years of the double-decker bus, 30 years of the 300 series - the list could be continued. As part of our anniversary, we invite you to a very special trip. Get on board and ride with us. Through seven decades of Setra and the world events around it. What else would you do besides come on a trip with Setra?
With the 400 series into a new millennium.
The new century enters with a bang. Moderation and deceleration were yesterday. Today, the focus is on moving ahead – as quickly as possible. Whether in satellite technology, aeronautics or in social networks, our planet certainly appears to be turning at a faster pace than in the previous century. Mobility is most definitely here to stay. And Setra is going a long way towards supporting the trend towards enhanced mobility – with its beautifully conceived new series which exceeds all expectations in coach technology, comfort and design.
History:
- A new dimension in mobility is also experienced in Ulm: the TopClass 400 celebrates its world premiere. The new series takes over the high-end luxury segment, setting new standards in technology, comfort and design.
- Virtual mobility is experienced in social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Friends get together and new friends are made online. The other side of the world has never appeared to be this close or this accessible.
“Experience the uniqueness of Setra”.
In Setra’s 50th anniversary year, the new TopClass 400 series is introduced – with models S 415 HD, S 415 HDH and S 417 HDH. Following the maxim “Experience the uniqueness of Setra”, Setra treats an audience of 5,000 to a spectacular, futuristic show presenting the nine magnificent new models. With the TopClass 400, Setra once again passes a milestone in coach engineering and design. For the utmost in luxurious travel, it offers comfort-oriented features such as ergonomically designed seats, multimedia systems and versatile galley installations. The ergonomically designed “TopDrive” cockpit beautifully combines functionality and aesthetics, so that the driver can fully concentrate on the task at hand, ensuring enhanced passenger safety.
Symbiosis of form and function.
At the Kortrijk Busworld trade show, no more than eight months after its introduction, this new generation of coaches is honoured with the “Coach of the Year 2002” award. The jury refers to the coaches’ combination of convincing technology and striking design as “the flawless symbiosis of form and function”. The TopClass 400 also delivers state-of-the-art technology in terms of safety, with the following equipment as standard: disc brakes, the Electronic Braking System (EBS), Antilock System (ABS), Anti-Slip Control (ASR), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®).
All good things come in threes.
The extension of the 400 series, through the introduction of the ComfortClass 400, follows in the year 2003. These cost-effective coaches feature outstanding design, a newly developed cockpit and a full series of technological innovations both on the inside and the outside. And as all good things come in threes, September 2005 sees the birth of the new MultiClass 400 intercity buses. With the launch of the low-entry S 415 NF at the 2006 IAA, Setra’s complete model portfolio is upgraded to the new 400 series. Over a period of about five years, more than 20 types and models are developed. The MultiClass 400 targets a wide spectrum of regular service and excursion applications, with the buses delivering high-level versatility and cost-effectiveness. During the week, they can be used for regular services, and on weekends, they are ideal for special trips.
“With the TopClass 400, Setra once again passes a milestone in bus and coach construction for top-flight travel.”
The flagship.
The flagship of Setra’s premium range is the 13.89-metre-long, four-metre-high double-decker coach – the S 431 DT – which is introduced at the IAA for Commercial Vehicles in Hanover in 2002. The TopClass 400 showpiece is developed from scratch and represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, the 328 DT, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness. Its exterior width of 2.55 metres, seating capacity expanded by up to four seats, longer service intervals and larger luggage compartments all contribute to this.
History:
- On January 1 2002, the Euro is introduced as the new physical currency in 17 European countries. Strengthened trade among eurozone members is expected, as well as increased openness to spontaneous travel.
- Made available in May 2000, the Global Positioning System (GPS) offers highly accurate location data – often to within 10 m – for civil applications.
- In November 2000, under the name ISS Expedition 1, the first long-term ISS International Space Station residency project is initiated. The three-person team remains on board for four months.
Assistance systems – for outstanding safety.
In December 2008, the first Setra with Active Brake Assist (ABA) is delivered – another significant building block of enhanced coach safety. The ABA, also known as Emergency Brake Assist, reacts to vehicles ahead which are driving at a slower speed. Should there be danger of collision, following a series of warnings, this unique feature kicks in with a full emergency brake. In combination with the Adaptive Cruise Control (ART), the ABA uses sensors to recognise vehicles driving ahead. The system goes a long way towards actively avoiding collisions, while saving operators money through lowered insurance premiums.
The growing OMNIplus service range.
OMNIplus continues to extend its range of bus-specific services. Service Contracts ensure bus fleets remain in top condition and ready for deployment. In 2008, the SpareParts LogisticsCenter opens in Neu-Ulm – 100,000 replacement parts can now be ordered from OMNIplus at any time. More than 40 proprietary Service Centers and 600 Service Partners across Europe look after bus companies and their vehicles.
