Interior: From the passenger compartment to the passenger's dream

Like the exterior, the interior of the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus opens up completely new perspectives on the urban public transport of tomorrow. The passenger compartment of the technology platform forms a contrast to conventional interior layouts. It takes its lead from public spaces such as squares and parks, and has nothing in common with the usual appearance of a city bus. Inside and outside blend together, as the bus also connects to the outside world through its design, and becomes one with it.

Following the low-floor principle throughout, the interior is divided into three zones: At the front near the driver is the "Service" zone, in the middle near the doors the "Express" zone for short distances and mainly standing passengers and rapid passenger flows. At the rear is the "Lounge" zone intended for a longer stay on board.

Despite these different user zones, the entire passenger compartment is open-plan in nature. The floor covering is in scratched white/light blue with sparkling inserts. Visually it resembles an icy surface, also in recognition of the venue for the world premiere. A light strip makes orientation in the interior easier. This changes colour between white (manual mode) and blue (semi-automated mode) depending on the operating status of the bus.

The already generous glazed area is visually enlarged by a black band. At waist level a silver-grey band of fabric meanders along the walls, underlining the cosiness of the interior. All in all the regular service city bus is transformed into an urban living space.

This shift is also emphasised by the seating layout: in contrast to the usual arrangement, the passenger seats are arranged along the walls in asymmetrical groups. This grouping is also reminiscent of a city square or park with benches. The impression gained is one of a structured space with various retreats. The seats are shining white shells with a padded surface and a light-green backrest. Their lines have been inspired by designer chairs. The design idiom combines classic seat contours with zeitgeist influences. People entering this environment feel more like guests than passengers.

Grab rails like trees, lighting like leaves and sunlight from the ceiling

The grab rails for standing passengers are arranged in the centre zone. In the larger standing-room segments of current city buses there is already a trend towards centrally arranged grab rails resembling a trident. The technology platform takes this idea further and combines it with the park-like layout of the interior. The result is triangular, light metallic grab rails extending to ceiling height. These are easy to grip, and branch upwards like trees.

Following the same theme, the ceiling lighting in the form of geometric patterns grouped near the branching grab rails is reminiscent of a leaf canopy. The ceiling itself is divided in terms of materials and colours: on the driver's side it is in matt satin pure white, while on the right side it is lined in light-coloured fabric with a light-green surface pattern. The visual effect is that it brings sunlight into the bus, assisted by the interior lighting. The passenger compartment thus becomes a space where passengers feel comfortable and at ease, a space they enter gladly rather than out of necessity.

Information, entertainment and advertising via large monitors

Apart from its appearance and choice of materials, the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus as a technology platform also breaks new ground with respect to information technology and the associated connectivity. Passengers receive information from two 43-inch monitors. These are embedded in an overhead console in the central zone of the passenger compartment.

They allow the bus's progress along the route to be followed, and provide information and entertainment similar to that in an airport waiting area. Whether the latest news, the image from a driver camera or advertising spots – there are no limits to the imagination, and passenger information reaches a totally new level.