Weststar, Marcopolo unveil latest generation Paradiso 1350 model

Authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Limited and Auto Alternative Nigeria Limited, the representative of Marcopolo in Nigeria, have announced the introduction of the new Marcopolo Paradisio 1350 bus to the Nigerian market.

The introduction highlights the growth and expansion of interstate road travel in Nigeria as the industry continues to follow suit with technological advancements from around the world.The new generation Paradiso 1350 has been designed to provide the best passenger experience and greater comfort and safety to the driver making it even better than its predecessors. It is a robust and highly durable vehicle that is built to carry 24 tonnes and a body length of up to 14 meters long.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos on Wednesday, Managing Director, Weststar Associates Limited, Mirko Plath, said the bus model marks a move in the right direction for bus operators in Nigeria with the believe that bus operators are ready to take their businesses to the next level.

While appreciating his customers for their support over the years, he reiterated the company’s commitment to the established trust in the Mercedes-Benz brand and that the collaboration with Marcopolo in Nigeria has certainly borne fruit over the years.

Also speaking at the event, Key Accounts Manager, Weststar Associates Limited, Ifeanyi Igbokwe, said bus operators already have a long-standing relationship with Mercedes-Benz dating far back to the 1950’s. “The brand has been a benchmark for their success over the years hence, their trust in the brand and in us.”

While describing the features of the bus, Igbokwe said the O 500 RSD bus chassis has been carefully developed for medium and long-distance applications. The chassis has all of Mercedes-Benz‘s technological advantages. According to him it is a robust and highly durable chassis that is adequate for the most severe working conditions. It also provides high comfort to the passengers due to the integral pneumatic suspension and a Mercedes-Benz gearbox (with six synchronized gears).

“This chassis is built to offer top quality and low operational costs, it is also designed to withstand 24 tons, it offers better ergonomics to the driver’s top auxiliary brake which provides an additional braking power of 30 per cent and a high ground clearance level for bad road conditions.”The new Marcopolo Paradiso 1350 brings external and internal changes that raise the level of sophistication, comfort, safety and efficiency in comparism to its predecessors.

A renewed exterior sees the Paradiso 1350 appear with newly designed mirrors that offer better driver visibility, newly designed bumpers and side windows and a new visual identity in the front; while the rear comes with a larger back cover that improves access to mechanical components and rear windows with a new design. Another major feature of the exterior is the headlights with new internal design and integrated DRL (Daytime Running Lights), also included in the headlights are LED fog lights and an elongated side wall design giving a modern feel and flow to the light assembly.

The interior of the new Marcopolo Paradiso 1350 is totally transformed from the driver’s cabin with new lighting to the dashboard with soft touch finish and more thermoacoustic comfort. There is also an electric window next to the driver that comes as an optional extra, while the larger access steps come with injected profiles and indirect lighting for ease of entrance; other features include new floor coverings and a new roof design with superior lighting and LED details. The safety and well-being of passengers and the driver is highly prioritized as the space between the driver’s cab and the passengers’ section is partitioned with bulletproof glass and the drivers cab is also partitioned with a protective glass door.

The O 500 RSD 2436 6×2 chassis is equipped with an OM 457 LA engine that comes with 6 in-line cylinders. The power output is 265 kW (355 hp) at 1,750 rpm and is operated via a 6 speed manual gear transmission. The Mercedes-Benz O 500 chassis is also very economical for bus operators as the electronic motors included in its engine ensure that the bus consumes lower fuel and has a longer life.

With regards to safety the O 500 RSD chassis is equipped with safety features like the Top Brake auxiliary engine brake coupled with the conventional engine brake system. This brake system provides many advantages, such as increased braking power, higher speed on slopes, greater safety, less gear shifting, lower maintenance costs, longer life of brake and tire components and fuel economy. Also there is an anti-lock brake system (ABS) which offers greater safety, because the vehicle remains stable in adverse driving conditions and critical situations. In cases of sudden braking, even on smooth surfaces or rough roads, the ABS system prevents the vehicle from skidding.