A strong start to 2025 for MAN Truck & Bus Iberia: in January, the MAN Lion’s Coach (Model Year 2024) was awarded “Coach of the Year in Spain” at the prestigious National Transport Awards ceremony in Madrid. The recognition highlights the vehicle’s continuous development and strong market acceptance among operators, drivers and passengers alike.

The National Transport Awards, presented annually by Transporte 3 and Viajeros, are decided by a jury of more than 800 Spanish transport entrepreneurs and automotive experts. Vehicles are evaluated across twelve categories based on safety, reliability, profitability and efficiency. The award therefore carries particular weight within the industry.

The Model Year 2024 updates played a decisive role in the Lion’s Coach securing the title. A new electronics platform — now standard across all MAN and NEOPLAN buses — introduces a completely redesigned cockpit featuring MAN SmartSelect. This driver-focused operating concept enhances ergonomics and ensures intuitive control of key functions, improving both comfort and operational safety.

Advanced assistance systems further strengthen the coach’s safety profile. A radar-based turning aid monitors the previously hard-to-see right-hand side of the vehicle and can be combined with an optional lane-change assist system on both sides. The system detects static objects within a lateral range of up to 4.5 meters and calculates potential movement paths in advance, issuing visual and acoustic warnings in three stages when necessary.

Efficiency has also been enhanced with the introduction of the MAN D26 engine in Euro 6e emissions specification. The 12.4-litre unit delivers ten additional horsepower and approximately 50 Newton meters more torque, while reducing overall fuel consumption by up to 2.5 percent. This combination of increased performance and lower fuel usage further strengthens the Lion’s Coach’s position as an economical long-distance solution.

The Spanish award adds to an already impressive list of international accolades. The Lion’s Coach previously received the Sustainable Bus Award 2022 in the “Coach” category and was named “Coach of the Year 2020” by the Bus & Coach of the Year jury. Its timeless design was also recognized with the iF Design Award in 2018.

Beyond awards, strong market demand underscores the coach’s success. Since its world premiere at Busworld in 2017, nearly 4,500 MAN Lion’s Coach vehicles have been delivered across Europe (as of December 2024). Germany leads as the largest market, followed by France, Spain, Italy and Poland — clear evidence of its broad international appeal.

With the “Coach of the Year in Spain” title, the MAN Lion’s Coach continues its international success story, combining cutting-edge safety technology, enhanced efficiency and premium passenger comfort — and reinforcing MAN’s strong position in the European coach segment.