NEOPLAN Skyliner debuts in limited Auwarter Edition at Busworld

NEOPLAN presents Skyliner Auwarter Edition at Busworld 2025, honoring Konrad Auwarter's 85th birthday and brand's 90th anniversary with advanced design.

NEOPLAN is celebrating two milestones at once — the 85th birthday of Konrad Auwarter and the brand’s 90th anniversary — with a special edition of its double-decker coach Skyliner. The limited “Auwarter Edition” will debut in October at Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels, restricted to just thirty units.

The Skyliner has long been an icon in European coach building. Since its launch in 1967, it became the world’s first double-deck touring coach and cemented NEOPLAN’s reputation for innovation. Over 58 years, around 5,550 vehicles have been delivered worldwide, from NASA facilities in Florida to a motorhome for an Arab royal family. In the 1990s, a unique Jumbocruiser version even served as a touring home for the Kelly Family band.

The “Auwarter Edition” blends retro-inspired design with state-of-the-art technology. Externally, it stands out with its classic stainless-steel plank look, the historic Auwarter swing arm emblem, and aluminum rims. Inside, elegant stainless steel and wood details accompany a large L-shaped kitchen with inside and outside access, a spacious toilet, and an optional driver’s berth.

Technology is at the heart of the new model. The Skyliner features a digital SmartSelect cockpit, the OptiView mirror replacement system, and assistance systems such as Lane Return Assist and SafeStop Assist. The latter can automatically bring the vehicle to a controlled stop, engage the parking brake, switch on interior lighting, and open the doors if the driver becomes incapacitated. Power comes from the MAN D26 12.4-liter engine delivering up to 520 hp and meeting Euro VIe standards. Paired with the TipMatic Coach transmission and EfficientCruise 3 program, it improves fuel economy while reducing emissions.

Passenger capacity reaches 83 seats in the touring configuration and up to 96 in the long-distance Skyliner Express. A luggage compartment of up to 11 cubic meters and wheelchair spaces underline its suitability for intercity services. According to the manufacturer, with full occupancy the coach achieves less than 10 grams of CO₂ per passenger-kilometer, placing it among the most efficient options in its class.

Industry observers note that demand for such vehicles is rising alongside the expansion of long-distance bus services in Europe and the growing emphasis on sustainable transport. At Busworld Europe, the “Auwarter Edition” will stand out as both a highlight of the exhibition and a tribute to the engineering vision that Konrad Auwarter brought to the NEOPLAN brand.