Rietze 1:87 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro: RNV Mannheim Bus Lines

Detailed plastic model bus

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is a single-decker, rigid or articulated bus manufactured by Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus. Introduced in 1997, the Citaro is available in a range of configurations, and is in widespread use throughout Europe and parts of Asia, with more than 40,000 produced.

The first generation Citaro was launched in 1997, as a successor to the Mercedes-Benz O405.

In 2005, an updated version of the Citaro to coincide with the introduction of Euro IV- (and later Euro V- and EEV-) compliant engines. Apart from minor technical alterations, mainly to accommodate the new generation of engines, the external design received a facelift to give the buses a less angular look, with internal panelling altered accordingly. Production of the old model ceased by autumn 2006.

In 2006 the Citaro received a much more substantial facelift, which can be seen from the outside by a revised front and rear design (analogous to the recently introduced low-entry buses). The hitherto characteristic feature of the first series, the "washboard trim" on the front of the vehicle, which was also available as a front advertising area and smooth surface without Mercedes star, accounted for a somewhat rounded front baffle. The lateral sweep of the front turn signals was reversed.

In May 2011, the second generation Citaro, referred to internally as the C2, was launched. From 2012, the C2 could also be equipped with Euro 6 engines. The C2 versions of the Citaro LE models were the last to be presented, at Busworld Kortrijk in October 2013.

There are three basic versions of the Citaro available in 2019: The standard 12m Citaro, the shorter 10m Citaro K and the articulated 18m Citaro G. Hybrid versions of all three lengths and one full electric version with standard and articulated versions are also available.

Rhine-Neckar Transport was established on 1 October 2004 as a joint subsidiary of the five public transport operators that had previously operated in the region: the Heidelberg Tramway (Heidelberger Straßen- und Bergbahn, HSB), MVV Transport (MVV Verkehr, the operator of trams and buses in Mannheim), the Upper Rhine Railway Company (Oberrheinische Eisenbahn, later called MVV OEG), the operator of the Rhine-Haardt Railway (Rhein-Haardt Bahn, RHB) and Verkehrsbetriebe Ludwigshafen (the operator of municipal public transport in Ludwigshafen, VBL). Since 1 March 2005, the RNV provides transport services on behalf of its parent companies within the area administered by the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (Transport Association of the Rhine-Neckar).

It commenced operations with a 188 kilometre network and 400 vehicles.