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Held on the eve of the exhibition, the world’s largest bus and cloach exhibition, was again the European Coach Week. Six buses and twelve coaches were participating in this competition, which was one of the biggest ever. All participants were first going hrough a number of tests and observations executed by several teams of experienced field jury members. A main jury had the final vote.
She decided that the Grand Award Bus should be given to the Van Hool EquiCity 23 meter long hybrid articulated bus for combining a new vehicle concept with a hybrid driveline concept, and a high level of comfort for the passengers. The new EquiCity has an exterior design, which is breaking new grounds and should be able to increase the attractiveness of urban public transport for its users. It is supported in this effort by an interior, which combines cosiness with a number of big and small innovative features like an improved lighting system and a unique sound system. The Van Hool EquiCity was also awarded the Bus Comfort Label and the Design Label.
The Grand Award Coach was granted to the Setra Topclass 517 HDH, a completely new development by Daimler-subsidiary Evobus. According to the jury members it is a coach which combines the traditional Setra values like a perfect shape, quality interior and a good working place for the driver and the guide with a hi-tech driveline Setra has opted for an evolutionary shape rather than a revolutionary new one, retaining some typical Setra styling elements like the aluminium profile around the underlining the side windows. This approach endorses the family ties between the various Setra vehicles. The Setra Topclass Coach was also awarded the Coach Safety Label and an Ecology Label.
The Comfort Label Coach was awarded to the Van Hool TX16, the Safety Bus Label to the Citaro. Ecology Labels Bus were granted to the BYD, the Ebusco and the Van Hool Fuelcell bus. An Ecology Label Coach went to the Van Hool TX16. The Design Label Coach was not awarded.
Not issued also was the Innovation Label, though the field jury proposed the Composite Mobility CM Mission for this award. But the main jury decided that this label should not be awarded this year.
With this large number of participants the European Coach Week improved its track records of being the most popular and most objective bus and coach competition.