City Bus with A View: MAN Lion’s Intercity LE Now Also Comes in A City Version with MAN Efficienthybrid

• Maximum equipment configuration flexibility for three lengths from 12.44 to 14.46 metres
• Powerful yet economical driveline, modern connectivity and the proven MAN EfficientHybrid system make the Lion’s Intercity LE the TCO champion for city use
• Award-winning MAN “Smart Edge” design sets the benchmark in the Low Entry class

Modern urban traffic comes in all shapes and sizes, especially when it crosses narrow city limits. For this reason, more and more public transport operators are going with the more cost-effective Low Entry design over expensive low-floor technology. With decades of experience in this segment, and based on the latest MAN Lion’s Intercity series and the innovative Lion’s City bus, MAN Truck & Bus has managed to design and market a modern entry-level model that meets all those demands – in City use too. Since the launch of the Intercity model in autumn 2021, several hundred new Low Entry buses have already been ordered throughout Europe, to name one the order from DB Regio for 940 MAN buses (Lion’s City and Lion’s Intercity LE) by 2026, highlighting the importance of tendering for the model. New markets for the Lion’s Intercity LE include Spain, Israel and Morocco.

The new Lion has already gained something of a reputation on the public stage: first of all, there was the the iF Design Award in the “Product/Automobiles/Vehicles” category, which MAN was able to bring back to Munich for the Lion’s Intercity LE in May this year. In Spain, the vehicle was named “Bus of the Year in Spain” at the 2022 National Transport Awards in Madrid, and winner of the intercity bus category at the German ETM Awards. It has also been awarded the Sustainability Award from Munich-based publisher Huss-Verlag and is currently one of the finalists of the “Sustainable Bus Awards 2023” before an internationally renowned jury.

Three practical lengths for City use

The two City versions Lion’s Intercity LE 12 (32 C with 12.44 metres) and Lion’s Intercity LE 13 (33 C with 13.14 metres) are set to complete the existing model range at the beginning of 2023. The proven MAN EfficientHybrid system taken from the new City bus generation is being launched at the same time. The two 14.46 metre long three-axle Lion’s Intercity LE 14 (34 C/44 C) models will follow in the third production phase in 2024, offering a particularly large passenger capacity and high weight reserves.

The City version of the Lion’s Intercity LE (32C/33C/34C) has a platformless design in the low floor area, and is equipped with 275/70 R22.5 tyres (320 mm entry height) throughout. The City version can carry up to 107 passengers and is optimised for standing.

Modern ceiling handrails or optionally height-adjusted luggage racks in open or closed versions are available for all Lion’s Intercity LE vehicles. “MAN Intercity Basic” seats are installed in the Intercity version. Three-point belts are also available depending on the class. Three City seats with differing finishes and upholstery are available for the City version. The optional “MAN City Comfort” seating variant is also available with a lap belt. The City version features double-leaf inward-swinging front and centre doors as standard. There are two-leaf electric swing/sliding doors from the MAN technology kit, optional for all Lion’s Intercity LEs. These are especially quiet and inconspicuous when opening and closing.

Source: MAN Truck & Bus