Mercedes-Benz O405 - Low-entry Version O 405 NH

Low-entry Version O 405 NH

The low-entry version O 405 NH was produced by EvoBus for the Australia market. Much of its popularity with government and private operators alike can be attributed to the popularity of the Mercedes-Benz O 405 MkII chassis that it replaced.

The chassis was derived from a combination of the rear modules of an O 405 MkII chassis and the front modules of an O 405 N² / O 405 N^2 chassis. Because of the difference in height between the front and rear modules of the chassis, there are one or more steps leading up from behind the centre door position to a standard O 405 floorline. Because the chassis has a horizonally-mounted engine, there's no room for a rear door. This "low-entry" concept has become very popular in Europe - many integral products using this concept have been released such as the Mercedes-Benz Citaro LE.

Sydney Buses and Transperth of Australia have both purchased large numbers of buses built on the O405NH chassis. Between 1999 and 2002, the New South Wales government placed 300 compressed natural gas O 405 NHs onto Sydney's roads. These featured the M447hG 175 kW (238 hp) Euro II engine with a Custom Coaches "Citaro" body. The Transperth order originally consisted of 848 units with bodies built by Volgren. Initial deliveries consisted of diesel units featuring the OM447hLA 184 kW (250 hp) engine with the first compressed natural gas unit appearing in 2001 featuring the same engine as the Sydney Buses examples. A total of 397 O 405 NHs were delivered to the Transperth network before the chassis was discontinued, consisting of 48 natural gas and 349 diesel units.

The O 405 NH chassis has won Australian Bus of the Year twice.