OC 500 LE chassis

Low Entry based on the greatest flexibility

What can you expect from a Mercedes-Benz? More

There are chassis. And then there are Mercedes-Benz chassis. In todays fiercely competitive market, its the star that makes all the difference, giving you that decisive lead and the comforting feeling of having made the very best choice for your company.
At the cutting edge. Mercedes-Benz has assumed responsibility for the bus and its technological advancement like no other manufacturer. And not simply because Carl Benz built the worlds first motorised bus in 1895. But also because Mercedes-Benz has honed it ever since into a high-performance, safe and environmentally friendly mode of transport. And thats why today youll find Mercedes-Benz buses come with advanced, practical solutions for tomorrows challenges ensuring you remain that vital step ahead of your competitors. After all, we take our responsibility very seriously.

OC 500 LE highlights
Let your designers give free rein to their imagination. The Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE chassis for urban and rural-service buses offers you a flexible base on which to implement your ideas.
The Low-entry base that adapts to your ideas. Passengerfriendly low-floor comfort from the front to the second entry in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz powertrain engineering in the rising rear: the OC 500 LE enables implementation of the low-entry concept according to your individual requirements. Its modular construction concept permits a ready adaptation to your ideas. You can build vehicles with a width of 2.50 to 2.55 m and a length of up to 13.50 m without the slightest inconvenience. And in order to put into effect your individual requirements there are various engine variants and different finaldrive ratios. You can even vary the position of the second entrance. Whether a right-hand-drive or left-hand drive vehicle the OC 500 LE allows your planning to become reality. Quality that pays you dividends. Thanks to the highquality components used and which have already proven their worth in the urban buses and touring coaches with the three-pointed star, you will ensure for yourself and your customers real competitive advantages with the OC 500 LE. The bus / coach operators benefit in many senses. Because the innovative Mercedes-Benz engineering used is not only particularly durable and reliable, but is also designed with consistent economic efficiency in mind. The Euro V or EEV OM 457 hLA engine, delivering 220 KW, based on the MercedesBenz BlueTec diesel technology, as well as alternatively for right-hand-drive vehicles the natural-gas powered M 447 HLAG engine, producing 185 kW, are both characterised by their frugal consumption and reasonable operating costs. Add to this the maintenance-friendliness of Mercedes-Benz engineering and the result of the sum for the operator is: particularly low life-cycle costs and that a whole bus life long. A partnership that makes your job easier. The OC 500 LE is the result of close cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and the body manufacturers. The requirements and suggestions expressed by these specialists were incorporated into the development of the chassis from the very start and emerge in a host of technical details. Take the interfaces with standardised definitions, for example, which allow the body electronics to be easily connected up according to your requirements. In addition, all the technical requisites and installation instructions are clearly explained either in a manual, on a CD or a DVD. And should you have any questions, you can always rely on the valuable and versatile support offered by the Mercedes-Benz body advisory service, whose experts are there to help you in word and deed..

Module 1 | Drivers pedestal | Gearshift lever | Instrument panel | Steering column

Why compromise ?
Design a driver workplace according to your wishes. With its extraordinary flexibility, the OC 500 LE makes it easy for you to tailor the cockpit to your individual requirements precisely.
Flexible in every direction. The driver workplace in the OC 500 LE is fully functional and can easily be adapted to your individual requirements. You can vary its structure in three planes. And both the steering column and the instrument cluster can be adjusted in height and inclination. Concentrated intelligence. The electronics systems of the OC 500 LE are also a good example of its superiority. It has a central brain, the IES CAN (Integrated Electronics System Controller Area Network), which integrates all the electronic components of the chassis. With the help of the IES onboard diagnostics system you can check all the control units swiftly. This makes possible a rapid, targeted error search for maintenance or repairs, cutting downtime and maintenance times for the bus operator, thus reducing his costs. Another plus: the interfaces for your electronics are all of the same type, and a modular electronics compartment at the driver workplace with standardised slots. All the electronics systems are grouped according to key numbers, to make especially certain that they cannot be mixed up. This makes it a straightforward matter for you to connect the electronics of your add-on body in a safe, versatile manner. At the same time it allows you a free hand for the location and installation of your electronics components.

Module 2 | Front axle | Suspension | Steering gear | Braking system

Build on the basis of economy, comfort and safety

Design and build buses according to the current state-of-the-art. The front axle module of the OC 500 LE offers you innovative Mercedes-Benz components which have already proven themselves in the Citaro.
First-class roadholding. Ensure the most advanced driving refinement for your customers. The front axle of the OC 500 LE guarantees low-floor comfort and convenience in the front section of the coach. At the same time it stabilises your superstructure against rolling movements and keeps the vehicle securely on track. The additional stabilisers allow you to achieve even better roadholding. This high quality front axle increases the vehicles manoeuvrability, so that a 12-m vehicle can have a turning circle of 20.70 metres. In addition the chassis can be equipped with a raising and lowering mechanism to protect the vehicle underbody from damage when driving over obstacles or, e.g. railway lines. Precise steering. Drivers favour buses and coaches that can be steered with ease and directness. The OC 500 LE does just that. Its variable steering gear is located in front of the axle bushings, outside the crash area and thus protected from damage in the event of an accident. The steering system does not need to be lubricated and is virtually maintenance-free. A reliable brake system. Utmost importance is attached to safety on the OC 500 LE. Thats why the electric/pneumatic braking system (EBS) is standard on all wheels. EBS builds up brake pressure so precisely and rapidly, that much shorter braking and stopping distances are possible than with a conventional pneumatic braking system. In addition, electronic guardian angels such as ABS or, optionally ASR, are also integrated into the EBS. EBS makes braking as cost-effective as it is safe, because the electronic control ensures a longer service life for the brake pads and extends maintenance intervals as well. Since the electronics routinely perform fully-automatic system checks, the entire braking system operates virtually maintenance-free between regular vehicle services while still providing the greatest possible functional reliability.

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

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Protected against damage and high costs. The buggy is a stable frame that protects the cable harnesses and other components against damage during transportation. Thanks to it, the OC 500 LE with its own drive system is manoeuvrable and steerable. In consideration of transportation costs, the frame is intentionally made as small as possible. Straightforward bolts, easy and simple to remove, hold the structure together. Quick-release couplings, which hold the wiring harnesses together, leaving sufficient cable length for the superstructure, also contribute towards enabling you to begin building the vehicle body without delay. This means that even before the very first step, the OC 500 LE allows you to save valuable time.

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Module 4 | Rear axle | Various axle elements

Give yourself a firm foundation

The drive axle of OC 500 LE has already earned full marks for itself on the Travego. Above and beyond being particularly robust and reliable, this axle also impresses with its exceptional refinement.
Top class, but very down-to-earth. Customer satisfaction also depends on the ride comfort of your buses and coaches. Thats why the OC 500 LE drive axle is designed to meet the highest demands. Radius arms, mounted directly on the axle beam, ensure optimum transfer of force. In order that you may be able to adapt your vehicles to their specific intended applications, you can choose among various different transmission ratios. Your customers will be pleased that the drive axle does not need to be lubricated. It runs practically maintenance-free low maintenance costs are part of its standard equipment. The combination of the low-floor concept in the front part of the vehicle and high-floor engineering at the rear, makes a rise of the vehicle floor after the second entry necessary. The OC 500 LE allows you almost absolute freedom as to how you bridge the difference in level between the low-floor and the high-floor areas. A further proof of its exceptional flexibility.

Module 5 | Engine | Transmission | Framework | Cooling system | Fan | Air cleaner

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Make economy your driving force

Low operating and maintenance costs are an important argument for the coach operator. With the OC 500 LE you lay the foundation for consistent economy.
High output, low consumption. In practically every corner of the earth, the Mercedes-Benz star on an engine is considered a seal of quality. Because of this the OC 500 LE will impress your customers, too. To begin with you have a choice among different engine variants. The Euro V or EEV OM 457 hLA 220 kW engine is based on the pioneering Mercedes-Benz BlueTec diesel technology and combines high output with frugal fuel consumption. Alternatively, the Mercedes-Benz M 447 HLAG natural-gas-fuelled engine, delivering 185 kW is available in Euro V or EEV version. Comfortable gearshifting and braking. The OC 500 LE is equipped as standard with a 6-speed transmission, especially adapted for its use in urban buses or in ruralservice coaches. The retarder, also standard equipment, is integrated in the transmission housing to save weight. It can provide ample braking force to stop at low speeds, reducing the load on the service brake, thus cutting wear and tear and naturally, maintenance costs as a consequence. Minimised maintenance costs. While were on the subject of cost reductions: both the engine and transmission reduce costs for the operator in several ways. Long oil change intervals of up to 60,000 km contribute to this, as does the easy- access engine, the maintenance-free transmission and the vertically-installed oil filter. Innovative cooling system. Typical Mercedes-Benz designers: they always strive for trailblazing solutions. Take, for instance, the engine cooling system of the OC 500 LE. The sensor-controlled and extremely quiet fan drive with a three-speed electro-magnetic coupling is especially reliable, but not only that: it also saves fuel thanks to its high degree of efficiency. Ensure your customers keep that one decisive step ahead with the OC 500 LE.

For further information, please contact EvoBus UK, or visit our website at www.mercedes-benz.com The illustrations may show items of optional equipment and accessories which are not part of standard specification. The information contained in this brochure applies to the Federal Republic of Germany. Colours may differ slightly from those shown in the brochure, owing to the limitations of the printing process. Correct as at 01.08.2010. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the product.
EvoBus GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit, BUS/MPM-M 6098 5041 02 10/0810/01 Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany / Imprim en Rpublique Fdrale dAllemagne EvoBus GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit, Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Str. 2157, D-68301 Mannheim, Tel.: +49 (0)621/740-0, Fax: +49 (0)621/740-4251