In
the spring of 2013, coach operator "Avanti Reisen" of Freiburg, a
major city in southwest Germany, set off in an S 515 HD on what is to date the
world's longest journey by bus. The tour was brought to a successful conclusion
at the end of the year in Ushuaia in Argentina, the world's southernmost city.
Following
the return of the Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach to Germany, Avanti
managing director and tour initiator Hans-Peter Christoph and his group of
globetrotters were hailed at the Neu-Ulm Setra Customer Centre, said a company
statement. For Heinz Friedrich, Setra brand spokesman in Germany, the
extraordinary journey was a premiere of a very special kind for the
manufacturer, for the coach operator and for all the travellers. He said, "This
tour and this coach wrote history. I am very proud that we were privileged to
be a part of this remarkable event with an S 515 HD and were able to provide
impressive proof of the superior characteristics of the Setra ComfortClass
500."
Hans-Peter
Christoph left no doubt about this, stating that he had really hit the mark
with his choice of the coach, saying , "My trust in this innovative coach
generation paid off. The coach, one of the first production units of the
ComfortClass 500, never failed us for an instant over the entire 34,000
kilometre journey. It fully convinced passengers and drivers with its
absolutely reliable cutting-edge technology as well as its extremely smooth
ride and very low noise level."
The
12.3-metre long five-star two-axle coach with 40 comfortable Voyage Supreme
leather touring seats and vis-à-vis seats with tables gave the passengers
generous legroom, so that they could enjoy the view of the scenic landscape in
great comfort even on longer stretches of the route.
The
spectacular journey of the sixth-generation Setra coach took it from Germany to
China first, and from there to South America, down the Pan-American Highway to
Tierra del Fuego. Problems occurred only on the second leg of the journey,
through the USA, when the vehicle, registered in Germany, had to clear customs.
Painted
bright red, the S 515 HD with the powerful and environment-friendly Euro VI
BlueEfficiency Power engine meets the highest safety standards, with features
which include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, continuous braking limiter,
Electronic Stability Program and Front Collision Guard (FCG). The Setra
ComfortClass 500 had its world premiere in 2012 and demonstrated highest energy
efficiency in a spectacular record run. At the end of 2013 it was chosen Coach
of the Year 2014, and also captured the Green Coach Award 2014 on the strength
of its low fuel consumption.
Source: Daimler / Picture courtesy Daimler