MAN Lion’s Coach E design preview: first sketch revealed ahead of Busworld. Cx reduced to 0.31

Following the unveiling of the prototype MAN Lion’s Coach 14 E at the Product Development Center in Ankara, MAN Truck & Bus has revealed a first design sketch of its upcoming electric coach, offering a glimpse into the styling direction of the future Lion’s Coach E.

The full and final design will remain under wraps until its official debut at Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels, but this initial rendering outlines MAN’s intention to combine aerodynamic performance with a fresh, distinctive visual identity for its first zero-emission touring coach.

Spotlight on MAN Lion’s Coach E design

The vehicle shown during the recent event in Ankara — based on the current diesel-powered Lion’s Coach — serves as a prototype platform for technical validation. The real design transformation, however, begins now, and MAN’s first sketch offers a preview of what to expect.

According to MAN, the new electric coach will be defined by a design language called Smart Flow Design. The goal: to maximize aerodynamic efficiency without compromising aesthetics. The sketch hints at a clean, streamlined silhouette with a strong emphasis on airflow optimization — a critical factor in battery-electric vehicles, where range is directly influenced by drag.

The result of this design work is, according to MAN, a Cd value (also known as Cx) reduction from 0.34 to 0.31, that contributes directly to the estimated range of up to 650 km, depending on configuration and use conditions. Such drag coefficient, MAN states, positions the electric coach in the range of compact SUVs.

New layout at the driver wheel

Inside the upcoming MAN Lion’s Coach E, the manufacturer is introducing a fully digital, driver-oriented cockpit. Central to this layout is the MAN SmartSelect system, which provides intuitive control of key functions through a rotary dial interface. Combined with a new 12-inch digital display, the cockpit is designed to enhance usability and minimize distraction.

“Our e-coach marks the beginning of a new era of emission-free and low-noise travel that many customers have been waiting for. We are delighted to be at the forefront here and to be putting such a dynamic and innovative coach on its wheels,” says Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus.

In the first stage of the development of the vehicle and public charging infrastructure, the preferred areas of application for the MAN Lion’s Coach E will be short and medium distances with a range of up to 650 kilometers. This includes shuttle services, works transport and city trips. “The eCoach is also a real opportunity for coach tourism to reach new target groups for whom sustainability is also a key factor in travel planning,” says Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus.