All for a single goal: A good feeling.
OC 500 RF

All for a single goal: A good feeling.

One base. Many possibilities.

Mercedes-Benz has already subjected the new chassis to intensive tests. These include endurance tests and hydropulser testing of individual components such as the axles and tanks. And the new engines, too, have been tested under the most exacting conditions ranging from the icy polar circle to the heat and dust of South Africa, for their use on complete buses or on trucks with a permissible gross combination weight of up to 40 t. The tests also include loads so extreme that they never occur in real touring coach operation. All for a single goal: The good feeling to know you have a secure base for sophisticated, economically-efficient, environmentally-compatible touring coaches.

Modules

Five modules. More flexibility.

Driving culture is of great importance at Mercedes-Benz. The OC 500 RF provides you with an excellent basis for touring coach constructions which impress both driver and passengers alike.

More on modules
Economy

Secure your lead.

Mercedes-Benz has traditionally played a pioneering role in the development of environmentally friendly, innovative drive system technologies. With BlueEFFICIENCY Power technology, Mercedes-Benz has again set benchmarks. Now, the advanced technology from complete bus systems development is also available in the OC 500 RF and ensures lower emissions and even higher economic efficiency. That's because, thanks to the efficient and powerful BlueTEC® engines, the engineers have succeeded in further reducing the fuel consumption, despite introducing Euro VI technology. Plus, the usable service life and maintenance intervals were also able to be increased. This results in excellent total cost of ownership throughout the whole life of the bus.

More on economy
Technology

The new BlueEFFICIENCY Power Euro VI engines.

Now more than ever, economic efficiency is one of the main arguments for bus operators. With the new OC 500 RF with Euro VI you lay the foundations for consistently low lifecycle costs – and ensure for your bus a decisive advantage over the competition.

More on technology
Safety

Focus on safety.

The bus is one of the world's safest and most comfortable modes of transport. Innovations from Mercedes‑Benz have made a decisive contribution to this – and make the OC 500 RF a pioneer on the road.

More on safety
Comfort

Comfort for the driver

Design a customised driver's workstation. The OC 500 RF makes it easy for you to tailor the cockpit to your precise requirements.

More on comfort
Contact

Do you have any questions?

Do you have any questions or need more information? We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us for further details.

Contact us now

Legal notice on active safety assistance systems: Emergency braking systems and other safety assistance systems can support the driver and mitigate the severity of accidents or prevent accidents in critical driving situations under optimal conditions, within the system limits. However, irrespective of this, the driver has a duty to adapt his driving behaviour and in particular his speed to the traffic and weather conditions and to be attentive at all times. This applies in particular to special situations such as icy or wet roads, rain, crosswind, poor visibility, snowfall, fog, etc. Consequently, the driver, as the driver of the vehicle, has the responsibility for the entire driving situation at all times and must not rely exclusively on the safety assistance systems.

Assistance systems can only support drivers. The driver is always fully responsible for driving the vehicle safely.

Modules

Five modules. More flexibility.

The modular concept of the OC 500 RF Euro VI from Mercedes-Benz is based on a tried-and-tested vehicle concept, and allows the greatest possible flexibility whilst also ensuring great variety. With a gross weight of 19 t, the chassis completely fulfils various market requirements and, thanks to the various body solutions, widths and lengths available, it ensures utmost flexibility.

With the "unification", the chassis features efficient, high-performance and reliable Euro VI engines. A great number of proven bus transmissions and a new driven axle round off the drivetrain.

Additionally, the OC 500 RF has impressively low fuel consumption, as well as long maintenance intervals and a variety of possible fields of application. Safety resulting from the most modern of technologies (ABS, ESP®, AEBS, SPA) and added comfort in the form of a new display instrument for the driver and level control for passengers make the chassis a strong overall concept.

Flexible in any direction.

Design a customised driver's workstation. Thanks to its extraordinary flexibility, the OC 500 RF makes it easy for you to tailor the cockpit to your precise requirements.

The driver's workstation in the OC 500 RF is fully functional and can easily be adapted to your specific requirements. The steering column, for example, can be adjusted in height and inclination. There is no conventional gearshift lever in the cockpit, which offers your designers greater scope to implement their ideas. Instead the driver has a joystick with pneumatic shifting aid on the right of the seat. High precision and smooth travel ensure gearshifting comfort to rival that of a passenger car. Thanks to integrated emergency-running characteristics, the vehicle remains roadworthy even if the gearshift should fail. The variable location of the joystick also has ergonomic benefits. Easy to reach and operate, it eases the driver's workload and helps to ensure full concentration on the road ahead – a key contribution to driving safety.

Focused intelligence.

Focused intelligence. The OC 500 RF electronics system sets it apart from other chassis. It has a central "brain", the IES CAN (integrated electronics system controller area network), in which all electronic components are integrated. All control units can be monitored easily using the IES on-board diagnostics system. This facilitates rapid and targeted troubleshooting for maintenance or repair.

This helps to reduce costs for the bus operator by cutting downtime and maintenance time. Other advantages include standardised interfaces for your electronics, as well as a modular electronics compartment with standardised connectors by the driver's seat. All electronics systems are coded to avoid confusion. This means that you can connect your body electrics flexibly and without difficulty. At the same time you have a free hand in the location and installation of your electronic components.

First-class handling control.

The OC 500 RF ensures top-class driving comfort for your customers. The front axle with independent suspension stabilises your vehicle body, preventing roll movements and ensuring vehicle track stability. It also helps to maximise manoeuvrability for your bus. 12 metre two-axle vehicles, for example, can achieve a turning circle of 20.98 m depending on body type.

Depending on the body type, a three-axle 15 m touring coach or inter-city bus has a turning circle of 23.9 metres. The chassis can also be equipped with a raising/lowering mechanism to protect the vehicle underbody from damage when driving over obstacles or uneven surfaces.

Exact steering.

Drivers like buses with light, direct steering characteristics. The OC 500 RF is designed with this in mind. The variable steering gear is mounted in front of the moving axle components, outside the area vulnerable to crash damage, and is therefore protected against damage in the event of an accident. The steering system requires no lubrication and is practically maintenance-free.

A safe braking system.

Safety plays a key role with the OC 500 RF. That's why the electropneumatic braking system (EBS) with disc brakes all round is included as standard. EBS builds up brake pressure so precisely and rapidly that shorter braking and stopping distances are possible compared with conventional pneumatic braking systems. The EBS also features electronic "guardian angels" such as ABS or optionally ASR. The standard-specification Brake Assist (BA) system also provides valuable help. It builds up maximum brake pressure in fractions of a second during emergency braking and ensures a shorter braking and stopping distance.

EBS makes braking as cost-effective as it is safe. Its electronic control functions extend the service life of the brake pads and ensure longer service intervals. Since the electronics systems routinely perform fully automatic system checks, the entire braking system requires virtually no maintenance between regular vehicle services – at the same time providing optimum functional reliability.

Avoiding damage and high costs.

The buggy centre section connects the rear and front components for vehicle transportation. It protects the assemblies and ensures that vehicle transportation costs are kept as low as possible.

The buggy centre section is a robust frame that protects the cable harnesses and other components during transportation. It ensures that the OC 500 RF with its own drive system is manoeuvrable and steerable. The size of the frame is purposely kept small in order to minimise transportation costs.

Simple bolts, easy and quick to remove, hold the frame together. Quick-release couplings hold the wiring harnesses together and leave sufficient cable length for the body. They also help you to begin assembly without delay. The OC 500 RF saves you valuable time even before you start work on it.

Quality that stays firmly on the ground.

The OC 500 RF driven axle has already scored top marks in the Travego. Highly robust and reliable, this axle also delivers exceptionally smooth operation.

Customer satisfaction also depends on the ride comfort provided by your buses. That’s why the driven axle of the OC 500 RF is designed to meet the highest standards. Guide arms mounted directly on the axle beam, for example, ensure optimum force transfer. In order to adapt your vehicles according to application, you have a choice of different transmission ratios. Your customers will also be pleased to hear that the driven axle does not require lubrication. Its operation is virtually maintenance-free – low maintenance costs are part of the package.

Easy to manoeuvre, even with three axles.

The steered trailing axle for the three-axle variant is the ideal complement, making slow manoeuvring and reversing significantly easier. Improved manoeuvrability also means less tyre wear. When travelling straight ahead at high speed, the third axle is hydraulically centred to improve driving stability. Conversely, the trailing axle can be briefly relieved of its load when moving off on a slippery road surface in order to increase traction: a practical starting aid.

Make economy your driving force.

Low operating and maintenance costs are a convincing argument for a bus operator. With the OC 500 RF you lay the foundation for uncompromising economy.

A milestone in engine development.

Development of the current chassis generation focused on the new Euro VI drivetrain, implemented with the new BlueEFFICIENCY Power engines from Mercedes Benz. The power plants meet Euro VI standards in all their output variants, display convincing environmental compatibility and compelling economic efficiency. Despite the implementation of Euro VI, savings were achieved.

A clean performance.

Whether equipped with the OM 936 or OM 470: the highest efficiency levels can be taken for granted with these engines. They all combine impressive driving performance with spirited response even at low engine speeds, and couple great running smoothness with low consumption and exemplary low environmental impact. Compliance with the stringent requirements is achieved through a combination of common-rail injection, requirements-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue injection for exhaust gas purification.

Comfortable gearshift.

The transmission is specially designed for use in a touring coach. The power-assisted, manual 6-speed transmission (standard equipment) provides a high level of shift comfort. And if you want to make life even easier for the driver, the two-axle variant of the OC 500 RF is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission and integrated retarder. The manual transmission can also be combined with a retarder. It is a compact unit integrated in the transmission housing to save space and weight. It can provide ample braking force to stop at low speeds. It reduces the load on the service brake and thus also wear and tear as well as maintenance costs.

Minimised maintenance costs.

On the subject of cost reductions: the engine and transmission system reduce maintenance costs in a number of ways. Extended oil-change intervals (up to 60,000 km) contribute to this, as does the easy-access engine, maintenance-free transmission system and vertically installed oil filters.

Innovative cooling.

The designers at Mercedes-Benz are always striving to find pioneering solutions. Take a look, for example, at the engine cooling system of the OC 500 RF. The sensor-controlled and extremely quiet-running fan drive with 3-speed electromagnetic coupling isn't just particularly reliable, it also saves fuel thanks to its high operational efficiency. Secure advancement for your customers: the OC 500 RF.

The intercooler can be swivelled out to facilitate cleaning of all cooling units.

Economy

Save in the right places.

Sometimes less really is more. Mercedes-Benz has spared no effort to save in all the right places so as to enhance the value of the OC 500 RF for you even further.

Time is money.

In order for you to be able to save valuable time and expensive transfer costs before the first stage of work, the buggy central sector has also been further improved. Thanks to the redesigned transport module, the OC 500 RF with its own drive system is manoeuvrable and steerable, protecting at the same time the valuable components against damage during transport and enabling simple, secure handling. Quick release connectors on the wiring harnesses make it possible for you to rapidly begin with the installation of the vehicle body.

Not a kilo too many.

Lower emission levels do not necessarily mean more weight: Mercedes-Benz has been able to implement Euro VI without increasing the vehicle weight. The new rear axle is just one of the numerous measures with which developers have been able to compensate for the unavoidable increased weight due to Euro VI. Additional weight savings came thanks to the lighter-weight water retarder, the new engine encapsulation, the lighter, more efficient alternators and not least through the use of high-strength steels for the optimised frame. The result: not a kilo too many - yet unchangingly robust.

Less is more.

Mercedes-Benz was able not only to keep fuel consumption at the accustomed low levels, but also to reduce AdBlue® consumption by as much as 40 % and oil consumption by up to 50 %. And the oil change intervals, extended to as much as 120,000 km, also contribute to greater overall economic efficiency. The diesel particulate filter only needs to be changed after 360,000 km. And that, with a 20 % increase in the useful life of the OM 470.

Technology

A milestone in engine development.

Development of the new chassis generation focused on the new Euro VI compliant drivetrain, implemented with the new BlueEFFICIENCY Power engines from Mercedes-Benz. The new power plants meet Euro VI standards in all their output variants, display convincing environmental compatibility and compelling economic efficiency. No increase in consumption levels in spite of Euro VI – who else but Mercedes-Benz could achieve this?

A clean performance.

The highest efficiency levels can be taken for granted with the new engines. They all combine impressive performance with spirited response even at low engine speeds, and couple great running smoothness with low consumption and exemplary low environmental impact. Compliance with the stringent requirements was achieved through a combination of common-rail injection, requirements-oriented exhaust gas recirculation, downstream oxidation catalytic converter, particulate filter and SCR technology with AdBlue® injection for exhaust gas purification.

Transmission and suspension.

Gearshift comfort.

The transmission technology of the OC 500 RF chassis is designed specifically for use in touring coaches. The standard 6-speed manual transmission, and the 6-speed automatic transmission available for many variants, offer a high level of ride comfort. Top-level economic efficiency and an extremely comfortable ride coupled with convenient operation via the gearshift lever come courtesy of an innovative transmission technology which has already proven itself in the Travego Edition 1: The GO 250-8 automated 8-speed transmission. The driver can fully focus on traffic – the transmission control takes care of everything else. And quite incidentally the innovative transmission system also helps to save fuel.

Innovative cooling - the water retarder.

The designers at Mercedes-Benz are always striving to find pioneering solutions. One result: the integration of the new water retarder in the chassis’s innovative cooling concept. On the OC 500 RF the retarder is deployed in conjunction with all the manual transmission systems. It uses water from the engine's cooling system as a braking and cooling medium. The previously necessary oil/water heat exchanger is thus no longer required. And while the weight is reduced by some 30 kg, the continuous brake system's performance is improved. It only remains to be said that with the maintenance-free retarder lifecycle costs sink even further.

Flexibility on the road.

A driver sometimes has to overcome obstacles on the way to their destination. That's why you can equip the chassis with a pneumatic raising/lowering system to prevent damage to the vehicle's underside when driving over obstacles. This system makes it easier to drive over obstacles or abrupt differences in road surface level as well as making it easier for your passengers to board and to exit the vehicle.

First-class ride comfort.

The front axle with independent suspension stabilises your vehicle body, preventing roll movements and ensuring vehicle track stability. It also helps to maximise manoeuvrability for your bus. A turning circle of 20.98 m for the 12-metre two-axle variant and a turning circle of 23.9 metres for the three-axle 15-metre vehicle speak for themselves. The ideal complement: the new rear axle. Because, thanks to a further improved axle location, it transfers the driving force to the road with the greatest efficiency and ensures excellent ride comfort with its low-friction, quiet running. The ensemble is rounded off with the hydraulically-steered active trailing axle. This makes the bus much more manoeuvrable while ensuring maximum straight-line directional stability.

Steering and weights.

Steering with ease.

Drivers favour buses that make their work as easy as possible. The variable-ratio steering gear of the OC 500 RF responds to this need. The more the driver turns the steering wheel, the lighter the steering becomes. This makes it possible to steer the vehicle with ease, directly and safely. A plus for handling safety, to which the chassis' particular economic efficiency can be added. The steering system does not need to be lubricated which makes it virtually maintenance-free.

Freedom for bodywork design.

On three-axle chassis, the front axle can now bear up to 7.5 t. This axle load increase makes it possible to enjoy even more freedom in terms of bodies, e.g. height, weight, axle load distribution and size of the fuel tank. On all touring coach chassis, the latter is now located centrally above the front axle and has a capacity of either 290 or 450 litres of diesel fuel. Both fuel tank variants can be enlarged with a 125-litre additional tank. For a maximum tank volume of 575 litres of fuel and customer-specific touring coach solutions for every possible application.

Interfaces & electronics.

Focused intelligence.

The OC 500 RF electronics system sets it apart from other chassis. It has a central "brain", the IES CAN (integrated electronics system controller area network), in which all electronic components are integrated. All control units can be monitored easily using the IES on-board diagnostics system. This facilitates rapid and targeted troubleshooting for maintenance or repair. This helps to reduce costs for the bus operator by cutting downtime and maintenance time.

Standardised interfaces.

Other advantages of the OC 500 RF high-floor chassis include standardised interfaces for your electronics, as well as a modular electronics compartment with standardised connectors by the driver's seat. All electrical systems are coded, and therefore particularly difficult to confuse. This means that you can connect your body electrics flexibly and without difficulty. At the same time you have a free hand in the location and installation of your electronic components.

Safety

Focus on safety.

Traditionally, safety has always taken pride of place at Mercedes-Benz. All bus chassis are equipped as a matter of course with a highly-responsive, electronically-controlled braking system with disc brakes all-round, as well as with the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and the standard-fit Brake Assist function (BA). It boosts braking force to a maximum in fractions of a second in an emergency braking situation, thus reducing braking distances. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) with acceleration skid control (ASR) helps the driver to master critical handling situations.

Most accidents start long before the actual collision: with a lapse in concentration, poor visibility or hazards which cannot be anticipated. That's why the Mercedes-Benz safety concept employs a range of measures to support safe driving in everyday operations and helps you master critical situations.

SPA and AEBS.

Proven in the OC 500 RF touring coach chassis are the Lane Assistant (SPA) and the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS). While the SPA warns the driver – by means of seat vibration – of an unintended crossing of the lane markings, the AEBS reduces the danger of driving into slow-moving vehicles or stationary obstacles ahead. If danger threatens, it initiates partial and full braking as part of an ascending scale of warnings, so as to avoid a rear-end collision or to reduce damage in the event of an accident. In this way, it reliably complies with the European regulations on automatic emergency braking.

The safety systems in detail.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is an active system for increasing driving safety and stability. It makes a noticeable contribution to reducing the risk of skidding during cornering or evasive manoeuvres. This is achieved by specifically controlling the braking forces on each individual wheel in critical, dynamic driving situations, for example if the bus approaches physical limits when cornering. At the same time, the engine output is reduced. A possible "breaking-out" of the bus is thus prevented by the finely metered braking within the limits of the physical possibilities.

Among other things, ESP® monitors the lateral acceleration of the bus. If, on long bends – such as motorway exits – or with rapid lane changes, the bus reaches a critical driving situation, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced so the bus returns to a situation of driving stability. ESP® is comparable with the system installed in cars but provides additional functions adapted for use in buses.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

How ABS works: there are sensors fitted on all four wheels which detect the rotational speed of each wheel and pass this information on to a central control unit. If the critical point of blocking the wheels is reached, the wheel is stopped at precisely that threshold by pressure variation. The brake pressure can be increased and decreased numerous times in the space of a second.

When braking, all the forces acting on the wheels and the rolling behaviour are continually monitored. The braking forces acting on the wheels are distributed in such a way that no wheel can lock, and the steerability of the vehicle is preserved as far as possible.

In December 1970, Mercedes-Benz presented the world's first electronically controlled ABS – a revolution in driving and road safety. Thanks to targeted electronic braking intervention, the wheels don't lock for long periods of time. The risk of losing steering stability is minimised and, in the case of a full application of the brakes, the vehicle can be steered in the desired direction. ABS technology forms the basis for further developed electronic safety systems such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) or the Brake Assist system (BAS).

Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS)

The AEBS emergency braking system uses a radar system to detect both vehicles travelling ahead and stationary ones. It continuously determines the difference in speed relative to your own vehicle. If the currently driving activity and speed make a collision unavoidable if unchanged, the driver is warned first and the vehicle automatically initiates a partial application of the brakes. If the driver does not react and a collision becomes imminent, the vehicle automatically initiates a full application of the brakes. This can drastically mitigate the consequences of an impact.

Active Brake Assist 6

The emergency braking system ABA 6 assists the driver by automatically initiating emergency braking if there is a risk of rear-impact collision with vehicles in front or stationary obstacles. It also detects moving or stationary persons and cyclists in front of the vehicle. The system reacts to this with an acoustic and visual warning to the driver as well as an automatically initiated partial braking or emergency braking.

With Active Brake Assist 6, accidents can be avoided even more reliably. The system covers the entire vehicle speed range and is active in the background. Up to a speed of 60 km/h, pedestrians and cyclists can react. The ABA 6 safety system reacts to crossing and oncoming pedestrians and moving cyclists in the vehicle’s own lane with automatic emergency braking. This automation also provides increased safety for cyclists, whether in intercity or urban traffic.

Sideguard Assist 2

Sideguard Assist 2 is a safety assistance system that supports the driver in critical situations when turning right or turning left when visibility is possibly restricted. The system is designed to help detect moving obstacles within the system limits, and warns the driver so as to avoid critical situations or reduce the consequences of accidents when turning off or changing lanes.

The side areas of the vehicle are constantly monitored. As a result, vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists who may be in the blind spot are detected on both the front passenger side and the driver’s side. The radar system precisely detects the movements and warns the driver of possible collisions. The intuitive user interface and clear warnings allow the driver to drive safely and relaxed.

Rain-light sensor

The rain sensor and automatic driving light are assist systems that activate automated functions by means of a sensor system and relieve the driver of routine tasks.

The light sensor increases road safety by automatically switching on the driving lights depending on the current lighting conditions and thus improving the visibility of the roadway.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM)

Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) displays the current pressure in the individual tyres and warns of deviations from the optimum pressure. This reduces tyre wear, has a positive effect on fuel consumption and prevents dangerous tyre damage.

The right tyre pressure contributes to driving safety and significantly reduced fuel consumption. Even a tyre pressure set 0.5 bar too low can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%. The wheel electronics are positioned on the valve on the inside of the rim. The sensors record the data relevant to the tyre pressure and transmit it to the display instrument.

Legal notice on active safety assistance systems: Emergency braking systems and other safety assistance systems can support the driver and mitigate the severity of accidents or prevent accidents in critical driving situations under optimal conditions, within the system limits. However, irrespective of this, the driver has a duty to adapt his driving behaviour and in particular his speed to the traffic and weather conditions and to be attentive at all times. This applies in particular to special situations such as icy or wet roads, rain, crosswind, poor visibility, snowfall, fog, etc. Consequently, the driver, as the driver of the vehicle, has the responsibility for the entire driving situation at all times and must not rely exclusively on the safety assistance systems.

Assistance systems can only support drivers. The driver is always fully responsible for driving the vehicle safely.

Comfort

Comfort for the driver

A true comfort zone.

A touring coach impresses not only with its exterior, but in particular with its interior values. And in this respect the OC 500 RF has a lot to offer. To begin with, its new electronic level regulation ensures passengers feel comfortable the moment they board the bus. Because with it the bus always maintains the same entry level regardless of its load status. And with the new low-noise driven axle the journey itself is also a good deal more relaxed. It guarantees pleasant peace and quiet in the vehicle interior. Not for nothing did this axle already reap top marks when used in the Travego Edition 1.

Plenty of room.

The OC 500 RF makes it easy for you to tailor the cockpit to your precise requirements. The steering column, for example, can be adjusted in height and inclination. Instead of a conventional gearshift lever in the cockpit, there is a joystick with pneumatic shifting aid on the right of the driver's seat. Easy to reach and to operate, the joystick guarantees gearshifting comfort to rival that of a passenger car. This eases the driver's workload and helps to ensure full concentration on the road ahead – a key contribution to driving safety.

A safe workplace.

The driver's work area in the new OC 500 RF chassis generation is now even more attractive. It features the same high-grip, elegant four-spoke steering wheel as the Mercedes-Benz touring coaches. The steering wheel is available in a 450-mm and a 500-mm diameter version, according to your wishes. The advanced, easy-to-read instrument panel is also new. Adapted to the electronics structure and information requirements of Euro VI, it supports the driver with expanded information such as trip data and fuel consumption figures. This way the driver has everything under control at a glance.