MAN celebrates 20 years of Neoplan Tourliner

Another significant technical upgrade will be made for the new model year, which MAN Truck & Bus will debut at Busworld 2023 in Brussels.

Munich, Germany- MAN Truck & Bus SE., an Europe's commercial vehicles manufacturers, twenty years ago, the Tourliner coach was introduced as the NEOPLAN premium brand's new entry-level class. This was one of the first coaches to be constructed on the standard MAN technological platform, shortly after MAN acquired Stuttgart-Möhringen's Gottlob Auwärter GmbH & Co KG. The Tourliner has now greatly evolved in its second generation and is firmly established on the roads of Europe. Another significant technical upgrade will be made for the new model year, which MAN Truck & Bus will debut at Busworld 2023 in Brussels.

NEOPLAN Tourliner spans two decades, closely intertwined with the Stuttgart-based NEOPLAN brand, set to celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2025. Renowned for its high-quality and innovative coaches. A pivotal moment in NEOPLAN's journey occurred on June 20, 2001, when Gottlob Auwärter GmbH & Co. KG was acquired by MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG in Munich, marking a significant milestone in the company's future.

Initially managed under NEOMAN GmbH in Salzgitter, NEOPLAN and the bus division of MAN eventually integrated into the MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group on February 1, 2008, to leverage the synergies of the international group. Today, all NEOPLAN models are crafted at the modern MAN bus plant in Ankara, a tradition that commenced with the introduction of the new Tourliner in 2003. The Tourliner made its debut in July 2003, still presented at the former parent factory in Möhringen under the theme "Tourliner Summertime." Prior to this, a design concept known as the "X-liner" had generated buzz at the IAA 2002, with its eye-catching fluorescent green paint. Customer feedback prompted numerous refinements before the two-axle (Tourliner SHD) and long three-axle (Tourliner SHD L) models hit the market.

Development of the first generation Tourliner was based on a simple yet practical concept. Using the framework of MAN's Lion's Coach, the Tourliner aimed to expand NEOPLAN's model range into the standard coach segment, complementing the existing Starliner, Cityliner, Skyliner, and Euroliner. The Tourliner was also one of the initial creations of the NEOPLAN design department under the leadership of Michael Streicher (Exterior) and Andrea Lipp (Interior). Michael Streicher, known for the brand-defining Sharp Cut design, carried this styling into the second generation of the Tourliner with its distinctive "Angel Eyes."

The first-generation Tourliner departed from tradition by omitting the forward-angled window pillars and split windscreen, differentiating it from premium products like the Starliner and Cityliner. Despite these changes, the design team managed to infuse the coach with a dynamic appearance, featuring a forward-sloping B-pillar as a defining element. The Tourliner boasted NEOPLAN's signature single-spotlight headlights and round LED lights at the rear. The interior of the first Tourliner retained rounded elements and the beloved light-blue interior (Beach Blue). Unlike its MAN counterpart, the first generation maintained NEOPLAN's characteristic platforms.

With its high-quality attributes, the Tourliner quickly won over a diverse customer base, with around 2,500 first-generation vehicles registered, including right-hand-drive models in the UK. These coaches found applications in various domains, from the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa to exclusive team buses for professional cycling. Thanks to its attractive price-performance ratio, the Tourliner became a preferred choice for long-distance scheduled services.

The second generation of the Tourliner, introduced in 2016, continued NEOPLAN's tradition of setting industry benchmarks. It featured an optimized Sharp Cut design with precise contours and improved aerodynamics, achieving around 20% better drag performance. The design emphasized transparency in the wide B-pillar, offering unobstructed views for passengers in the first seat row. The OptiView digital mirror-replacement system, introduced in 2018, reduced drag while enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness.

The second-generation Tourliner maintained NEOPLAN's distinctive features, including the forward-extending front dome, "Angel Eyes" headlights, and Sharp Cut design. Its interior offered maximum travel comfort, with high-quality materials, modern lighting, and comprehensive infotainment. Over the years, enhancements like a boat deck look floor, chrome handrails, and backlit elements on luggage racks contributed to the premium experience.

The second-generation Tourliner came in four variants, catering to individual needs with flexibility in mind. These variants offered seating for up to 63 passengers, providing a range of options for customers.