With a total of six model series over the past seven decades, the renowned Ulm-based luxury-coach brand has regularly set standards within Europe’s bus-building industry and has had a decisive influence on the development of the sector. Things started in 1951 when the Ulm-based Kässbohrer vehicle works presented the S 8 and simultaneously gave the brand its present-day name: Setra, which is an abbreviation of “selbsttragend”, the German word for self-supporting, in reference to the monocoque construction of the bus. The first Setra S8 was launched to bus operators 70 years ago this year, while the company that originally created the brand, Kässbohrer, introduced its first bus, built on a Saurer chassis, 110 years ago.
S8 with self-supporting body design
Setra S 8 was the first integral coach ever built. For the first time, a coach was an integrated entity and not a technological merging of the chassis and a superstructure (body-on-frame). Even its streamlined exterior design was revolutionary. This coach was better than any of its predecessors. This first bus manufactured in series production to feature a self-supporting body, rear-mounted engine and direct drive to the rear axle was presented during the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The installation of a rear-mounted engine with direct drive to the rear axle reduced the weight, and the coach body had a higher structural strength and therefore offered more safety.
Modular principle first used in the S 10 model series
The first Setra bus with modular system, 10 model series was launched in 1959 and was completely new to bus design at the time. The S 10 was the second Setra model after the S 8 and it became a true best-seller. The body of the vehicle was longer than that of its predecessor with a maximum of ten seat rows and a greater overhang at the front. Thanks to this well thought-out modular principle, it was possible to produce vehicles especially efficiently. Four buses could be produced daily in this way. This also led to the worldwide triumph of Setra coaches with sales of close to 7,500 units over 16 years. In the end, the 10 series included models S 6 through to S 15. Additionally, there was the ST 110 service bus and the first articulated coach in Europe, the SG 165. Models S 10 to S 14 were built in touring and overland travel versions, as well as in city versions.
S 100 model series
The transition from the Setra 10 model series to the 100 model series in 1967 marked a further development in the industrialisation of bus-building at the company. The premiere with models S 100, S 110, S 120, S 130 and S 140 was also a milestone in terms of visual development. The strong curves of the first Setra coaches gave way to clear, functional lines. And, in fact, this design is still recognisable in today’s coaches. All nine models were produced from numerous common parts from Setra’s second modular system.
The independent front suspension and the optimised leaf and rubber suspension ensured enhanced comfort and road-holding. In sum, no less than 12,339 units of the entire 100 series with 22 models were sold. The appearance of the buses in the 100 model series was characterised by a more angular shape, a higher degree of comfort, a larger passenger compartment and greater headroom in the interior. In sum, no less than 12,339 units of the entire 100 series with 22 models were sold.
200 model series with Cross-flow ventilation
In 1976, the Setra 200 model series was launched with six different models. The vehicles of the third Setra generation impressed with a classic elegance in the lines of its design, which was geared towards both value retention and practicality. Soft curves, smooth transitions and clear contours conformed with the elementary principles of vehicle design that were emerging at the time. The buses of the 200 model series also featured separately functioning ventilation and heating for the driver and cockpit which included intensive demisting of the windscreen. The rear of the three-axle coach housed a 235 kW powerful ten-cylinder V-engine from Mercedes-Benz. The S 211 H, S 212 H, S 213 H and S 215 H high-floor vehicles, each with a height of 3.09 m, and the two high-deck S 213 HD and S 215 HD coaches with a height of 3.34 m.