In October 2019, the world-class bus exhibition Busworld was held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. MAN's new generation of Lion's coach coach coach has once again been voted the best model of the year in 2020. The award has a history of more than thirty years and is recognized as a historical honor by the world's bus manufacturers.
Since it is almost invisible in China, lion's coach is relatively unfamiliar to many people. So, what is the strength of this bus to win the 2020 Best Model Award? Today, Xiaobian will review the development history of this car and take everyone to appreciate its charm!
< h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > Lion's Coach series</h1>
The image of German Mann is a male lion, in fact, Lion translates to the meaning of "male lion", but when the early model is translated, it may be directly called "male lion" is not good, so it uses its Chinese harmonic name: Rhine. It was first born in 1993, and every generation of models since then has represented an improvement.
Lion series models are divided into three major models: long-distance, short-distance and bus series. During the period from 2002 to 2008, China's Yutong Bus and Dandong Huanghai Bus have introduced two major models of long-distance and bus respectively, so to speak, in fact, Manlion Bus has also made a lot of contributions indirectly or directly to the improvement of the overall strength of Chinese buses.
Bus and short-haul models we will not go into details, today we will take a good look at its long-distance bus - lion's coach series.
First generation Lion's coach (1993-2002):
In 1993, the first generation of Lion coach RH422 series models was officially born, which adopted a boxy styling design, and the front face was very similar to that of F2000 trucks of the same period, especially the shape of the white frame on a black background, and the yellow curved turn signals. The addition of embedded fog lights has improved the safe driving ability of the vehicle.
In 1994, the second year of the Rhine series, it won the title of "Best Bus of the Year", which was awarded annually by an international jury (journalists from 22 industry journals) according to established standards.
In 1996, MAN launched the Rheinland upgraded version of the RH403, the biggest change of the model compared to the original model, is reflected in the front face design is more refined, such as the one-sided three-stage lamp body upgraded to a four-stage type, the middle of the cancellation of the lion logo design, etc., but the MAN letter has been retained.
In the same year, Rheinland launched the three-axle version of the RH 413/463, defining it as a Top Coach (Top Bus), as one of the top luxury bus models under the MAN brand at that time.
In 1999, the MAN TG series of trucks was born, from F-Series models to TG series cars, marking the beginning of a new era of MAN commercial models. This year, the Lion coach RH403 series models also began to highlight new changes in detail, and the front face began to use the headlights of the TGA series models and the combination of fog lights.
This generation is powered by a D2866LOH23 engine with a maximum of 400 horsepower and matches the ZF S6 manual transmission.
Attentive readers will surely see that the driver's side door of this model has been preserved, and this shape is also reflected in the S215 and S315 series models of the SETRA series, as a historical memory in European buses.
2nd Generation Lion star/coach:
In 2003, the high-end star of the Lion series was born, with silver sickle-shaped trims on the outside of the C-pillar, isolating the driver's driving area from the passenger area, and the outer side of the axle tires with noise-reducing baffles similar to those of the NEOPLAN N516 series models.
In 2004, at the IAA Hannover Motor Show, Lion star won the "Red Dot" design award, which was established in 1954 and has a high reputation among European bus brands.
During this period, Lion's Star, as the top model of the MAN bus, and the lion's coach series model went hand in hand, dominating the European bus market, both models were equipped with D2866LOH28 engines, the maximum power of 420 horsepower, matching the ZF 6S manual transmission / As tronic semi-automatic transmission.
It is worth mentioning that lion's Star series won the "IF" industrial design award in 2004.
Lion's coach L
Born in 2006, the Coach L model does not adopt a sickle design style like the Star series models, but with an extremely minimalist design. It is equipped with a D2066 LOH 08 engine with a maximum power of 440 hp and matches the ZF 6S manual transmission.
A feature of the series is the EBS electronic braking system and the maximum speed limiter MSC (maximum speed controller); in addition, the newly added ESP body stability control system can stabilize the vehicle in an emergency, which is of great importance for the safe driving of the bus.
Lion's coach L Supreme：
In 2007, Lion's Star was renamed Lion's Coach Supreme, and the original model still retains the wheel block and silver sickle shape. It is powered by a D2676 engine with a maximum power of 480 hp and is mated to a 12-speed Tipmatic hand-operated transmission.
Lion's coach C：
In 2008, MAN launched the C series model on the basis of the Lion coach L series models, which is characterized by improved power, and its D2676 engine can provide 309Kw (420 hp), 338Kw (460 hp) and 368 K (500 hp) three power configurations, and the matching gearbox also adds a 12-speed Tipmatic automatic transmission to the previous ZF 6S manual transmission.
Lion's coach Supreme Plus:
In 2012, Lion's coach Supreme ushered in its second detailed change, which had the same efficient, energy-intensive, and cost-effective design concept as the TGX series Efficinetline models produced with the same time.
Readers can find that since the birth of lion's star series model in 2002, its overall shape has not changed significantly, mainly due to the knocking of some details, such as the chrome design of the MAN logo, the chrome decoration of the TG truck upgrade above it, etc., inheriting the classic design since the first generation of RH403 series models.
2014 takes on a whole new meaning for Lion's coach Supreme. Because of the upgraded version of the D2676 engine and the new tuned Tipmatic transmission, coupled with the matching 2.73 speed ratio axle, the model has better adaptability in the short distance of the city and ultra-long travel. In addition, the model adds safety features such as EBA Emergency Brake Assist system to the original EBS electronic braking system or ESP electronic body stability system.
Lion's coach Supeme ended
At the 2016 IAA Hannover Motor Show, MAN's bus booth seems to have a different charm, because from now on, the Supreme series of models that once dominated the European long-distance bus market will come to an end, and its parting heralds the arrival of a new generation of models.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > the birth of a new Lion's coach</h1>
At busworld 2017, a new generation of Lion's coach was officially unveiled, just like the rebirth of Lion's coach in Nirvana, re-innovating in the concept of efficiency, safety and sustainable development, so that once unveiled, it won multiple awards for comfort and design.
The all-new Lion's Coach car uses MAN's unique design at the front, rear and sides, giving it a modern and timeless look. There are four lengths of two-axis 12.1 meters, 13.09 meters and three axes 13.36 meters and 13.9 meters for customers to choose from. The three-axle model is designed with a maximum allowable weight of 19.5 tons, which increases the high load capacity of the luggage compartment, and depending on the length of the vehicle, the volume of the luggage compartment also varies from 11.7 cubic meters to 14.3 cubic meters, which can also enable passenger transport companies to purchase the right model according to their own needs.
The standard D26 series European VI emission engine, the drive axle with a speed ratio of 2.73 and the MAN TipMatic Coach automatic transmission provide a solid guarantee for the efficient operation of the vehicle. In one of TÜV's fuel economy tests, Lion's Coach's fuel consumption per 100 km was only 19.4 litres, a staggering figure.
The new Lion's Coach has also made some changes in terms of safety, providing greater safety for drivers, passengers and other road users. MAN has added a number of "black technology" facilities to the vehicle, including OptiView, which is a bus rearview mirror replacement system, which replaces the original mirror mirror with high-definition cameras on both sides of the vehicle, and the picture captured by the camera is displayed on the display on the A-pillar, the driver can observe the road situation more intuitively, and the cameras on both sides of the vehicle provide real-time images on two screens, and the driver can easily see them, thus eliminating blind spots. The new drive and steering assist systems that MAN will introduce in 2020, the turn assist system with active warning signs and the pedestrian identification system all ensure better safety of the vehicle.
At the 2018 IAA Motor Show, the new Lion's coach series models, which were once again unveiled, are still the most concerned bus models on the spot, although they have been fully exposed as the favorite race vehicles of top clubs such as Bayern Munich and the German national football team.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > some detailed improvements</h1>
Three centre console shapes
The man modular concept design has been vividly reflected since the first generation of RH422 series models, and the instrument panel and steering wheel are the same as those of the F2000 series.
In 1999, the TG series heavy truck was born, and in 2019, as the 20th year of the birth of the heavy duty, the TG series of instrument control consoles was also adopted from Lion star in 2002, and the versatility of the parts greatly reduced the production cost of the vehicle.
Since the birth of the TGX series in 2006, the modular multi-function steering wheel and center console have been reflected in the design.
Rear styling changes:
The RH422 and 403/413 series models feature a sealed cabin canopy with a decorative strip under the rear glass to support the MAN logo, and the taillights are striped.
MAN Lion's Coach - "100 Years Edition"
From 2002 to 2016, the tail shape of Lion star, coach Supreme and other models was mainly modular design, and the main shape has not changed, and it is unforgettable that this combination taillight design is unforgettable.
Photo: BOVA330