The MP 180 MX model features technological innovations and unique items for increased comfort, ergonomics and safety
Marcopolo and Polomex, its bus production operation in Mexico, are completing the development of a unique double-decker coach, which will initially be provided for IAMSA, one of the main transport operators in that country. The new Marcopolo MP 180 MX is exclusively for the Mexican market and incorporates technological innovations and novel items to meet customer demands. It also offers superior standards of comfort, safety, and ergonomics.
The 110 units of the coach are being produced at the Marcopolo’s unit of Ana Rech (Caxias do Sul) and they will be exported to Polomex, which will complete the internal assembly and deliver them to the customer. The acquisition of the buses is part of the fleet modernization program of ETN and La Línea companies. The intercity buses will link Mexico City, Guadalajara, Queretaro and the coastline.
According to Paulo Andrade, the general director of Polomex, the business is breaking paradigms in relation to the standards of quality and sophistication of the buses produced in the Americas when compared to Europe. "It took several months for the definition of the features and the equipment to be used, which required a very close working partnership between Marcopolo in Brazil, Polomex, and IAMSA. The design is completely new and it presents significant technological advantages", emphasizes the executive.
The bus developed specially for IAMSA, is the first double-decker produced by Polomex. It is 15 meters long and it is built on MAN chassis. Externally, the vehicle has the new design (developed exclusively for the Mexican market), with LED direction and position lights. Daytime Running increasing the luminous efficiency and durability and reduce the need of changing/maintenance.
"The major changes and innovations are inside the new bus, which includes new unreleased equipment and solutions," says Paulo Andrade. The focus is on the sophistication and high standards of comfort and safety. It also has new efficient and silent air conditioning system, unique emergency exit system with a built-in ladder on the side of the vehicle, closed parcel rack with airplane-like doors, wider panoramic lower floor windows, glued windshield and wider driver’s assistant cabin.
Other features that have been developed by Marcopolo and Polomex engineering are the new more spacious and functional male and female toilets; new 100% flat flooring on the lower passenger saloon; 1.80 m height fully accessible cabin tunnel passage and the new access stairs to the top floor (new design), which facilitates getting on and off the vehicle in a more comfortable, faster and ergonomic way.
“The innovations are not only restricted to the bus interior. We have also developed a new piston system to remove the spare tire; external luggage rack doors opening with electro pneumatic system and a more spacious rear main trunk with easy and ergonomic access.", Highlights Paulo Andrade.
The new Marcopolo MP 180 MX has more ergonomic semi-reclining seats on the top floor and bed seats on the lower level, with three-point retractable seat belts. Passengers can enjoy the audiovisual system in individual monitors behind the seats specially developed to meet the needs of average trips and long distance operators. The passenger saloon has LEDs indirect lighting, which create a comfortable and sophisticated environment. The touchscreen reading lamps, individual outputs for air conditioning, earphone plugs, and sound volume control. Single audio amplifiers integrated to the reading lights set.
The instrument panel, with retractable satellites, incorporates all the equipment such as the reverse camera display, built-in cameras and the multiplex system (combined functions of all bus equipment). It also counts with repositioned air vents and a more efficient ventilation system, storage compartment behind the seat, touch sensible individual lighting for the driver and the driver’s assistant.