Driven: Neoplan Tourliner L

Introducing the Tourliner

While it may not be known by some South Africans, the Neoplan Tourliner – which was launched as a new entry-level class for the Neoplan premium brand – has been a fixture on European roads for 20 years. Following shortly after MAN's takeover of Gottlob Auwärter GmbH & Co KG in Stuttgart-Möhringen, this was one of the first coaches to be built on the common MAN technology platform. Today, in its second generation, the Tourliner has matured significantly, and it has firmly established itself on Europe’s roads.

The first-generation Tourliner – launched in 2003 – was extremely successful. A total of around 2,500 vehicles were registered, including right-hand-drive models that were marketed mostly in the United Kingdom. Of these, around 70% were the 12-metre two-axle version. One coach even found its way to the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.

The second generation of the Tourliner was launched in 2016. It features an optimised so-called “Sharp Cut” design with clear, precise contours. Its aerodynamic design was revamped to achieve improvements of around 20%, resulting in extremely low drag and benchmark values in the wind tunnel.

The second generation of the Tourliner model line is available in four variants. The smallest variant – with a length of 12.1 metres – offers premium comfort for a maximum of 53 passengers. The three-axle medium-sized variant – the Tourliner C with a length of 13.4 metres – can accommodate up to 57 passengers. The two-axle version of the Tourliner C, with a length of 13.1 metres, offers up to 59 seats. As the largest variant with a length of 13.9 metres, up to 63 passengers enjoy the comfort of the three-axle Tourliner L.

In total, since its launch in 2003, a total of around 3,850 Neoplan Tourliner vehicles from both generations have left the assembly line – of these, more than 2,500 are the popular 12-meter two-axle derivative.

Since 2003, all Neoplan models – including our test vehicle – have been built in MAN’s bus plant in Ankara, Turkey.

The coach in a nutshell

The Neoplan Tourliner in which we drove was the “L“ – meaning it has three axles and a length of 13.9 metres. Because our test vehicle had the 2+1 layout (two seats on the one side and one on the other), it can only seat 35 people. Just one of many nice-to-have features of this coach is its onboard kitchen.

Exterior

This coach is an incredibly good-looking vehicle. It boasts a front dome that extends stylishly into the roof, distinctive and well-defined headlights (known as “Angel Eyes”) and that famous “Sharp Cut” design. Not surprisingly, the second-generation Tourliner received the iF Design Award shortly after its launch.

One of the many exterior features that we love is the wide forward-oriented B-pillar. This means that passengers in the first row can easily see outside – and the exterior appearance is given a special look at the same time.

Another cool feature of this coach is the OptiView digital mirror-replacement system, which makes it possible to significantly reduce drag. This technology also offers advantages in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness. When it was introduced in 2018, it was the world’s first mirror replacement system for coaches.

Interior

Whether you look at it from the driver‘s or passengers‘ points of view, the interior rocks. High-quality materials, a modern lighting concept and comprehensive infotainment equipment leave nothing to be desired. Passengers enjoy an abundance of light and a feeling of spaciousness. The floating design of the luggage racks, LED lighting and new service sets also contribute to this. The most important new features that contribute to the premium presence of the Tourliner are the floor-in-boat deck look, the chrome handrails, and the backlit elements on the luggage racks that also discreetly highlight the product name in the interior through LED lighting.

While drivers have long given the interior the thumbs up, they are going to love the new digital cockpit with the intelligent MAN SmartSelect operating system that is being introduced in 2024. This is being accompanied by a redesign of the entire driver’s workplace, which is now much more ergonomic and generally of a much higher quality.

New switches with haptic feedback, a high-quality multifunction steering wheel and a wide centre console with plenty of space in the access area for the driver mean that journeys become a real pleasure. This is also ensured by the new 12.3-inch digital display that always shows the most important information for the driver in individually configurable views. The new MMC Advanced multimedia system with a 7-inch monitor can be controlled either via new buttons, the multifunction steering wheel, the proprietary voice control or the new MAN SmartSelect system (which we know and love on MAN trucks).

Drivetrain

The Neoplan Tourliner L in which we drove, is powered by MAN‘s Euro 6 six-cylinder diesel D2676 LOH engine. It generates 353kW of power. With its cylinder bore of 126mm and a stroke of 166mm, the D2676 develops its maximum torque of 1,875 to 2,400Nm from a displacement of 13.9 litres, and it is never found to be lacking.

Transmission

Our test vehicle was equipped with the MAN TipMatic 12 OD automated transmission, which does a faultless job. But, come 2024, it is going to perform even better. That’s because it will come with an optional extra: the enhanced EfficientCruise3 topographical gearshift program with PredictiveDrive. With the third generation of this intelligent, GPS-based gearshift program, fuel consumption is reduced by up to 1% (versus the previous system). The update to the fuel-saving EfficientCruise assistance system takes the topography of the route into account in an even more predictive manner, and now also includes infrastructure parameters such as accidents, exits and roundabouts up to 3km ahead in the highly developed algorithm. Based on this information, the system automatically determines the most efficient driving style when it comes to speed, traffic situations and gearshift strategies. So clever!

Safety

The Tourliner’s list of safety features reads like the “who’s who” of safety features. Honestly, it’s hard to find anything that’s NOT included. The various safety systems and features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Anti-Slip Regulator, Brake Assistant, Comfort Drive Suspension (electronically controlled suspension), Emergency braking system and emergency brake hazard warning lights, Electronic Brake System, Electronic Stability Programme, Dynamic Stability Programme, Lane Guard System, MAN BrakeMatic, MAN EfficientCruise with MAN EfficientRoll, Maximum Speed Control, Roll Over Prevention, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, LED headlights and Attention Guard. This is One Safe Coach!

Verdict

Thanks to its attractive price-performance ratio, the Tourliner has always also been a popular choice for long-distance scheduled service operation – not least of which thanks to its continuous flat floor and the optional wheelchair lift above the front or rear axle. It is an incredibly good-looking coach, which is brilliant to drive and exceptionally comfortable for passengers. We are told that it is economical too. What more could any coach operator want?