Solaris Urbino is a series of low-floor buses and low-entry doorway intercity buses, powered by diesel drive engines and alternative fuel (CNG, gas and biogas, hybrid and electric), produced by the Polish company Solaris Bus & Coach in Bolechowo near Poznań in Poland. Currently produced models are of the third generation, and by 2015 the production will start for the fourth, the premier of this newest generation was in 2014 during the Transexpo Trade Fair in Kielce (in October) and IAA in Hannover (September).
Solaris Urbino buses series have been very successful in the market, as evidenced by many orders in Poland and abroad.
The first bus from Solaris Urbino series rolled off the production line in Bolechowo in mid-1999. It was a Solaris Urbino 12 which in the second half of the year debuted two new models known as the Solaris Urbino 15 and Solaris Urbino 18, and in 2000 the series was joined by the Solaris Urbino 9. They have been designed by Neoplan with the participation of designers from Berlin IFS Designatelier which designed all of the next generation of the models.
In the second half of 2001 and 2002 the models of the second generation were ready. The 9-metre model was then replaced by the Solaris Urbino 10. Since 2005, the buses in the Solaris Urbino series are all third generation. The third series is distinguished by a characteristic depth front bow, which allows the driver better visibility at bus stops. Special orders were delivered, in the second-generation. During the IAA Nutzfahrzeuge in Hannover, which was held from September 25 - October 2, 2008, at the same in Poland the Transexpo Trade Fair in Kielce in October 2008, had presented the prototype model of the Solaris Urbino 12 New Edition generation 3.5. While maintaining the body of the third generation, the buses in the series received a new refurbished interior from the upcoming new fourth generation of buses. Where the interior had been improved by stylistic and illumination of the interior. Also a new instrument panel and steering wheel was included for the easy operation of the bus.