The MAN Lion's Coach is an integral coach manufactured by MAN Truck & Bus, and assembled by its subsidiary MANAŞ. Introduced in 1996, the coach was originally intended as a low-cost alternative to the MAN Lion's Star. In July 2020, the coach was awarded "Coach of the Year 2020" at the EMT Awards.
[[File:MAN Lion's Coach Supreme - Euro 6 - Engine sound from rear seats climbing - 15% Hill in France.wav|thumb|Sound Clip of a 2016 MAN Lion's Coach Supreme Euro 6 with D2676LOH in the rear cabin on a 15% incline. Please wear headphones or play through monitors for full effect]]
Background
In 1992 MAN introduced the Lion's Star coach. This coach influenced the naming system of subsequent MAN coaches. In 1994 the Lion's Star RH 403 was voted Coach of the Year.
First Generation - 1996 - 2002
In year 1996, besides the famous “Lion's Star” series, a cheaper coach model named “Lion's Coach”, produced in Turkey, was introduced. For the first time, it also includes a 3-axles version called MAN Lion's Top Coach. The optical difference to Lion's Star is the redesigned front, especially the grooves with the form of a triangle under the windshield wipers.
The 12m FRH version is capable for 49 passengers, 1 tourist guide and 1 driver. The D2866 LOH 23 6-cylinder diesel motor with 294 kW (400 hp) and the D2866 LOH 20 6-cylinder diesel motor with 309 kW (420 hp) were available. A manual transmission with 8 forward and 1 backward gear was standard.
Second Generation - 2002 - 2017
The second generation was introduced in 2002 and manufactured until 2017, which was known as R07, R09 - RHC 414, 464, 444. This model also ran alongside a new generation of the more luxurious top-model, the MAN Lion's Star. In 2003 the MAN Lion's Coach was awarded the Red Dot award and a year later was awarded the iF Product Design Award, which is awarded annually by Industrial Forum Design Hanover, in 2004.
The MAN Lion's Coach came with three lengths (12.000mm with 2 axles, 13.260mm and 13.800mm with 3 axles) and two MAN Common Rail engines from the D20 series. The 10.5 litre inline 6 cylinder D2066LOH and the 12.4 litre inline 6 cylinder D2676LOH were rated from 309 kW (420 hp) to 368 kW (500 hp). The second generation MAN Lion's Coach also shares the same DNA as the Neoplan Tourliner the only difference is the main body and design.
MAN continued to develop the Coach over its lifespan. The second generation model went through upgrades and various facelifts in its lifetime and its engines continued to be cleaner progressing through the Euro emission Class Euro 3 to Euro 6c. The original model 2003-2008 featured a plain nose end with MAN logo and small radiator grill in the centre and the emissions class progressed from Euro III to Euro IV. The first facelift model (2008-2015) featured a new nose-end design of the subtle and traditional radiator grille ribbing depending on the options of the customer. This could also be seen with an edge trim underneath the windscreen with the MAN logo in the centre. The emission class is progressed from Euro IV to Euro VI. The final facelift (2015-2017) model featured a new nose-end with a black panel with the MAN logo in the centre and the emission class remained at Euro VI.
Third Generation - 2017 - Present
The third generation MAN Lion's Coach was unveiled to the public at the Busworld 2017 in Kortrijk on 24 October 2017. It features a complete new design over its predecessor featuring a distinctive design. The Lion's Coach is now available in four lengths: 12,101 mm and 13,091 mm as a 2-axle vehicle, and 13,361 mm and 13,901 mm as a 3-axle vehicle. The 13m version includes six additional seats more than the 12 m version. The customer can select an optional wheelchair lift to cater for disabled passengers. All four variants of the new MAN Lion's Coach models have space for a maximum of 53, 57, 59 or 63 passengers. The luggage compartments have a volume of between 11.7 and 14.3 m3 depending on the model.
The D26 Engine and driveline have been up-rated in this model including an extended axle ratio i=2.73 and an increased power output (an increase of 30 hp and 300 Nm compared to its predecessor).
The third generation MAN Lion's Coach has won several prizes since its introduction, including the "Grand Coach Award" at Busworld 2017, the "Busplaner Innovation Prize 2018" in category "Vehicles and Fleet", the "iF Design Award 2018, and the "Coach of the Year 2020" award at the Busworld 2019 in Brussels.