And so it was. One of the main innovations compared to Castrosua’s previous bodywork, that of the CS-30 bus, is found in the front and rear fluorescent destination boards indicating the line number and route. The CS-40 urban bus also introduced technological improvements in ventilation, thermal and acoustic insulation, and heating and air conditioning systems (offered as extras).
The CS-40 was launched in two versions: the CS-40 City, for the urban segment, and the CS-40 Intercity, designed for commuter services. As we will see, both vehicles evolved throughout the 90s, with a new model of each being presented at the end of the decade. These buses consolidated the prestige our company had earned up to that point, even receiving national recognition and awards for the quality of the CS-40 bodywork.
Just as we did with other historic bodywork such as Cometa (1964), Arosa (1969), Brisa (1980) or Stela (1982), in this case we would like to focus on the CS-40 bodywork and tell you why it was (and still is) so special:
The beginnings: unique features and performance of the versatile CS-40 bodywork
The CS-40 bodywork was conceived in a very favorable context. On the one hand, this bus benefited from the great technical advances in bus production in the 1980s; a decade in which low-floor platforms were developed. On the other hand, new technologies also knocked on the doors of bus manufacturers of that era, and workshops were filled with innovation and a spirit of change. Thus, in the mid-80s, the CS-40 City and the CS-40 Intercity were presented.
The urban version of this bodywork, called CS-40 City, and with a continuous low floor, was considered by many to be the great success of our bodywork company. It stood out mainly for its versatility and because it could be bodied on any chassis, size, fuel (diesel, biodiesel, CNG, and LPG) and version (normal floor, low-entry, and full low floor).
These are some of the qualities that characterized the CS-40 bodywork:
- Double-optic exterior headlights, independent rear lights with reverse gear and school emergency indicators.
- Interior lighting with Castrosua model incandescent light panels, located on both sides of the central roof line.
- Bell push buttons.
- Acoustic and optical indicator with requested stop sign, with an indicator on the control panel.
- Front roof skylight and two static roof vents for ventilation.
- Integral anti-corrosion paint treatment (Castrosua special).
- Thermal and acoustic insulation of the central engine compartment, with fire-retardant and self-extinguishing materials.
- Thermal insulation of the roof with expanded polyurethane. For side insulation, Vitrofib fiberglass was used.
- Driver’s area with ergonomic seat, safety partition, and independent lighting.
As we mentioned earlier, the CS-40 bodywork was not only applied to the urban segment; it also had its version for medium-distance travel with the Intercity.
The CS-40 Intercity started from the same structural base, to which all the equipment typical of vehicles intended for longer journeys was added, providing passengers with a higher level of comfort. As described at the time, the Intercity was a bodywork that perfectly combined “the practical needs of a suburban service with the image and comfort of an interurban service”.
The evolution of the CS-40: one of our most recognized vehicles arrives
From 1992 onwards, Castrosua began manufacturing a new, improved, and modernized version of its CS-40 bodywork, in both its urban and interurban versions.
Thus, at the end of the 90s, the new CS-40 City saw the light of day, our best vehicle for daily passenger transport to date: due to the passenger protection systems; its comfortable, modern, and pleasant interiors; and a driver’s area that gained in comfort, also giving the driver full control of the vehicle and passengers. With all this, it was presented under the slogan “CS-40 City, quality of life”.
The new CS-40 model could also be bodied from the outset on any chassis on the market in lengths ranging from 9 to 18 meters.
The best proof of the success and good reception of the CS-40 City bodywork is that, even today, many citizens in different parts of Spain start their day by boarding one of these buses. It should not be forgotten that, in 1998, the CityClass vehicle (with Castrosua’s CS40 City bodywork and an IVECO chassis) received the unanimous ovation of the leading public transport experts in Spain who, with the support of the specialized press, awarded the CityClass urban bus the title of ‘Bus of the Year in Spain’.
At the same time, with the new CS-40 Intercity model, presented simultaneously, Castrosua provided an updated response to the needs of medium and long-distance travel.
Luggage racks, integral windshield, luggage compartment, video and sound system, or air conditioning, all of the highest quality, were some of its features. With all this, the Intercity became the most suitable and profitable bodywork in the interurban segment.
A new century, a new concept: the CS-40 Magnus arrives, the solution for peripheral transport
After some time, at the dawn of the 21st century, Castrosua launched the CS-40 Magnus bus, with a CS-40 bodywork adapted for long-distance peripheral transport. It was presented at FIAA 2000.
After addressing the demands of drivers and passengers, the Castrosua team shaped a comfortable vehicle for transport between nearby cities that would encourage people to “leave their cars at home”. The CS-40 Magnus bodywork was born with the aim of providing travelers and drivers with great functionality and safety without neglecting the beauty and elegance of its lines. It represented, as described by José Manuel Castro Rodríguez, CEO of Castrosua at the time, “a new concept when we talk about distances”.
While the CS-40 Magnus were used for relatively short routes with many passengers and little luggage. For slightly longer distances, our company offered another solution: the CS40 Magnus S model, which had all the necessary features for this type of journey.
Shortly after the presentation of the CS40 Magnus, the Master 36 bodywork was launched on the market, with which Castrosua revolutionized the design of first-class coaches. The interior of this vehicle is designed to make the traveler feel like they are in a living room; the driver’s space is also taken care of, prioritizing their comfort and reducing their feeling of fatigue.
The Master 36 bus strengthened Castrosua’s own style and once again, as happened with the CS-40 bodywork, set the path for subsequent constructions; but we’ll save that story for another time…
