European Coach and Bus Week (ECW) vehicle competition: Meet the winners!

Held on the eve of the Busworld - the world’s largest bus and coach exhibition - was again the European Coach and Bus Week. Six buses and twelve coaches participated in this competition, which was one of the biggest ever.

16 October 2013 - Participants to this year's European Coach & Bus Week went through a number of tests and observations executed by several teams of experienced field jury members, while a main jury was left with the task of the final vote.

The main jury decided that the Grand Award Bus should be given to the Van Hool Equi.City 23 metre-long hybrid articulated bus, for combining a new vehicle concept with a hybrid driveline concept, and a high level of comfort for passengers. The new Equi.City has an exterior design, which is breaking new grounds and should be able to increase the attractiveness of urban public transport for its users. It is supported in this effort by an interior, which combines cosiness with a number of big and small innovative features like an improved lighting system and a unique sound system. The Van Hool Equi.City was also awarded the Bus Comfort Label and the Design Label.

The Grand Award Coach was granted to the Setra Topclass 517 HDH, a completely new development by Daimler-subsidiary Evobus. According to jury members, this coach combines the traditional Setra values like a perfect shape, quality interior and a good working place for the driver and the guide, with a hi-tech driveline Setra has opted for an evolutionary shape rather than a revolutionary new one, retaining some typical Setra styling elements like the aluminium profile around the underlining the side windows. This approach endorses the family ties between the various Setra vehicles. The Setra Topclass Coach was also awarded the Coach Safety Label and an Ecology Label.

The Comfort Label Coach was awarded to the Van Hool TX16 and the Safety Bus Label to the Citaro. Ecology Labels Bus were granted to the BYD, the Ebusco and the Van Hool Fuel Cell bus. An Ecology Label Coach went to the Van Hool TX16. The Design Label Coach was not awarded.

The Innovation Label was also not issued this year, although the field jury proposed the Composite Mobility CM Mission for this award. However, the main jury decided that this label should not be awarded this year.

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