In the spring of 2013, Freiburg-based coach operator Avanti Reisen set off in an S 515 HD on what is to date the world’s longest journey by bus. The tour was brought to a successful conclusion at the end of the year in Ushuaia in Argentina, the world’s southernmost city.
Following the return of the Setra ComfortClass 500 touring coach to Germany, Avanti managing director and tour initiator Hans-Peter Christoph and his group of globetrotters were hailed at the Neu-Ulm Setra Customer Centre. For Heinz Friedrich, Setra brand spokesman in Germany, the extraordinary journey was a premiere of a very special kind for the manufacturer, for the coach operator and for all the travellers: “This tour and this coach wrote history. I am very proud that we were privileged to be a part of this remarkable event with an S 515 HD and were able to provide impressive proof of the superior characteristics of the Setra ComfortClass 500.”
Hans-Peter Christoph left no doubt about this, stating that he had really hit the mark with his choice of the coach: “My trust in this innovative coach generation paid off. The coach, one of the first production units of the ComfortClass 500, never failed us for an instant over the entire 34,000 kilometre journey. It fully convinced passengers and drivers with its absolutely reliable cutting-edge technology as well as its extremely smooth ride and very low noise level.”
The 12.3-metre long five-star two-axle coach with 40 comfortable Voyage Supreme leather touring seats and vis-à-vis seats with tables gave the passengers generous legroom, so that they could enjoy the view of the scenic landscape in great comfort even on longer stretches of the route.
The spectacular journey of the sixth-generation Setra coach took it from Germany to China first, and from there to South America, down the Pan-American Highway to Tierra del Fuego. Problems occurred only on the second leg of the journey, through the USA, when the vehicle, registered in Germany, had to clear customs.
Painted bright red, the S 515 HD with the powerful and environment-friendly Euro VI BlueEfficiency power engine meets the highest safety standards, with features which include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, continuous braking limiter, Electronic Stability Program and Front Collision Guard (FCG). The Setra ComfortClass 500 had its world premiere in 2012 and demonstrated highest energy efficiency in a spectacular record run. At the end of 2013 it was chosen Coach of the Year 2014, and also captured the Green Coach Award 2014 on the strength of its low fuel consumption.
