Marcopolo launches the new Audace 1050 bus for the African market. The model incorporates the latest innovations and technologies developed by the manufacturer and adopted in the latest global launches for greater efficiency, safety and comfort, providing operators with a new sophisticated vehicle option that is at the same time safe, comfortable, economical and efficient.

“The African market has been gaining new segments every year to meet the most different audiences and needs. Marcopolo, as the market leader, recently launched the Paradiso 1350 G8 for the luxury intercity segment and, now in 2025, introduces the Audace 1050 as a new option for the semi-luxury intercity segment, which already included the Andare FL,” says Renan Pesente, general manager of Marcopolo South Africa.

The Audace 1050 is a versatile model that, due to its high degree of customization, can be used in various applications, such as intercity transport, tourism and shuttle services, among others. It has the capacity to carry up to 75 passengers, with a 3×2 seat arrangement.

The Audace 1050 bus stands out for its modern, bold and clean lines that guarantee a better aerodynamic coefficient, lower fuel consumption and emissions, combined with greater thermal-acoustic comfort, in addition to offering robustness, safety and low maintenance. It hasa galvanized structure, designed to withstand strong impacts, ensuring maximum safety to the driver and passengers in frontal, lateral, rear collisions and in cases of rollover. Aluminum roof and side skirts, and fiberglass front and back coverings ensure high corrosion resistance and extend its service life.

Externally, the Audace 1050 has a front optical assembly with a new long visibility design and LED headlights, for greater safety, which offers optimum night and day visibility. The new, wider front windshield and the electric, anti-fog exterior rearview mirrors with three lenses significantly expand the driver’s field of vision, ensuring improved visibility and greater safety for both driver and passengers.

At the rear, the clean, bold design is reflected in the wraparound taillights, the new rear window with integrated clearance lights and brake light, and the one-piece bumper without end caps, which allows for easier maintenance with reduced repair time and costs. For improved drivability and safety, it features four parking sensors positioned on the rear bumper.

Inside, the Audace 1050 features a new and advanced acoustic insulation system and noise-reduction measures that provide the highest level of comfort for both driver and passengers. It also includes a redesigned, lower front dashboard that offers greater visibility for the driver, along with a new instrument cluster that improves access to controls, enhancing ergonomics, safety, and drivability. The model also received a new and more ergonomic driver’s seat, and defroster with a more efficient defogging system, which incorporates cooling, ventilation and heating. It also offers, as an option, a second driver’s seat and cabin (driver’s rest compartment) with fan and stop request button

In the passenger area, the model offers two 2×2 and 3×2 seating configuration options—accommodating 60 and up to 75 passengers, respectively. The seats feature an ergonomic design and viscoelastic foam headrests that adapt to the passenger’s body shape, providing superior comfort on long-distance trips. It now features a new cooling system with a more powerful Valeo CC355 air-conditioning unit rated at 136,500 BTUs, ensuring consistent interior temperature throughout the cabin. Additional amenities include three-point seat belts, overhead lighting units with individual reading lights, and three 15-inch video monitors in the passenger area. It also includes a restroom located at the rear of the vehicle and offers optional features such as a refrigerator and a dual-zone LED interior lighting system.

The Audace 1050 will be sold with a total length of 15,000mm, a width of 2,600mm and a height of 3,710mm. In designing the new model, Marcopolo´s engineering department developed a new luggage compartment, with a maximized interior that provides a capacity of more than 11 m³, the largest luggage capacity on the market, offering ample space for passengers’ belongings.

Greater safety and easier maintenance

The Audace 1050 has a body structure that complies with ECE R66.02 for rollover safety, offering a high level of passenger safety. Its manufacture meets the SABS standards of Africa.