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Press Release08 September 2025Siemens AGMunich
Premiere at IAA: Walk-in Model shows Munich’s new XXL S-Bahn
Walk-in model of Munich's new XXL S-Bahn
(Munich, September 8, 2025) During IAA Mobility, visitors can step inside the S-Bahn of the future for free at Munich's Königsplatz: The Free State of Bavaria, Deutsche Bahn, and Siemens are presenting a walk-in 1:1 scale model of the new S-Bahn train generation for the first time, which will operate in and around Munich starting in late 2028. At 22 meters in length, the design, equipment, and passenger information of the XXL S-Bahn can be experienced by everyone.
Evelyn Palla, Member of the Management Board for Regional Transport at Deutsche Bahn AG: "This is what the future of public transport looks like: At over 200 meters in length, the new S-Bahn trains offer more space and more comfort. They are designed to allow passengers to board faster, making operations more reliable. Together with the commissioning body and the manufacturer, we are setting the standard for a completely new travel experience. This project shows that mobility of the future can only be shaped together – and that fits perfectly with the IAA, where we as DB are participating precisely under this theme. Because everyday mobility is more than just driving a car."
Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister President: "Mobility of the Future: The new
S-Bahn in white-and-blue Bavaria design will be our most modern S-Bahn. Siemens
Mobility has succeeded in creating a real eye-catcher 'Made in Bavaria'. It
offers more comfort and more capacity: The approximately 200-meter-long train
has space for 1800 passengers and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology
and high comfort. Bavaria is growing and growing, which is why we need an
efficient public transport system. The Free State has already invested over one
billion Euros in the second main line, among other things. In conjunction with
the new digital interlocking system at Ostbahnhof, we hope that greater
punctuality and reliability will become standard in public transport. Only then
can we convince more people to make the switch. After all, one XXL S-Bahn is
intended to replace 1500 cars. I wish everyone a good, safe, and punctual
journey at all times!"
Christian Bernreiter, Bavaria's Minister of Transport: "The S-Bahn mock-up is a real appetizer
for the new era in local mobility around the Bavarian capital. Together with DB
and Siemens, something extremely functional and exemplary is growing here. I am
particularly pleased that passengers were involved in the development process
and can now see how their ideas have been implemented into reality. IAA
Mobility is the fitting platform to make this upcoming innovation accessible to
passengers, railway enthusiasts, and design lovers for the first time."
Dr. Roland Busch, CEO Siemens AG: "Our new S-Bahn is Munich’s pace-setter for the future: highly
reliable in operation, intuitive for staff, and comfortable for every
passenger. From virtual design to automated operation, it brings genuine
digital intelligence onto the tracks. We made it possible in close
collaboration with Deutsche Bahn, the Free State of Bavaria, and S-Bahn München
– and
through the expertise of our Allach, Erlangen, and Krefeld sites, some of
Europe’s most advanced train and R&D centers. With this project, we’re not
just kick-starting a greener mobility transition; we’re also delivering on our
‘Made for Germany’ initiative to drive growth and competitiveness in Germany."
Intelligent Design for More Comfort and Reliability
Externally, the S-Bahn logo with a diamond pattern and the colors white
and "Bahnland Bayern" blue characterize the design. Inside, yellow
accents and natural tones complement the spectrum. With time-dependent
lighting, a bright, modern interior is created, equipped with robust and
sustainable materials. Greater seat spacing, USB-C sockets, mobile phone
signal-permeable windows, Wi-Fi, and a powerful air conditioning system
designed for outside temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius ensure more comfort.
Clearly marked areas for wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles, along
with spacious boarding areas, ensure greater punctuality: Passengers can guide
themselves and distribute more quickly with floor markings. The five large
multi-purpose areas also contribute to this. Their capacity can adjust flexible
using 80 automatically locking folding seats. Modern camera technology helps to
ensure that the train can be dispatched more quickly at stations.
New standards in accessibility are set by wide, step-free gangways
between carriages and wheelchair spaces with eye-level displays that provide
information on elevator status and platform height. Passengers with hearing
aids can connect via Bluetooth for announcements. Tactile pictograms, Braille,
acoustic signals, and high-contrast design complete the accessibility features.
168 displays make passenger information completely digital for the first
time – from the network map and journey progress to the position of elevators
and exits at the next platform. Outside, an LED strip in the color of the
respective S-Bahn line provides quick orientation on the platform.
For the design, the Free State of Bavaria and DB, together with the
design agency Neomind, surveyed passengers, conducted tests, and spoke with
politicians, passenger associations, and stakeholder groups. This resulted in a
vehicle that optimally combines diverse needs.
State-of-the-Art Technology for More Reliability
The new trains are more innovative, digital,
and connected than ever before: A focus is on minimal lifecycle costs through
maximum energy efficiency, minimized maintenance costs, and optimized
operational support. Thus, the S-Bahn trains have a high number of redundant
components and are equipped with the Railigent X system, which ensures the
highest availability of the trains. Railigent X is part of the open, digital
business platform Siemens Xcelerator, which enables customers to achieve a
simpler, faster, and more scalable digital transformation. Furthermore,
software updates no longer need to be laboriously installed manually at the
depot; instead, they reach the trains during maintenance via a secure online
connection.
Siemens Mobility equips all vehicles with
Siemens Mobility's European Train Control System (ETCS) and Automatic Train
Operation (ATO), as well as a Train Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS). The
ETCS of the vehicles combines state-of-the-art, reliable technology, lower maintenance
costs through standardization, and brings interoperability to the Munich rail
network, which DB plans to digitize and equip with ETCS trackside equipment
from 2030. Through the integration of ATO over ETCS, the new S-Bahn trains are
ready for the future of rail transport.
Experience the Model at IAA Mobility
The model is located at the IAA Mobility Open Space on Munich's
Königsplatz, between the Propylaea and the Glyptothek, directly next to the DB
initiative "Future of Local Transport." Interested visitors can view
it for free during IAA Mobility from 11 AM to 9 PM (Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM). The
interior is accessible with guided tours, for which you can register on-site.
Until the new S-Bahn trains are put into operation, the model will be located
near the future S-Bahn depot in Pasing-Langwied. There, it will serve for
further tests to ensure a perfectly designed vehicle can be put into service at
the end of 2028.
Press Pictures
Walk-in model of Munich's new XXL S-Bahn
Dr. Roland Busch, CEO Siemens AG / Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister-President / Christian Bernreiter, Bavaria's Minister of Transport / Evelyn Palla, Member of the Management Board for Regional Transport at Deutsche Bahn AG / Heiko Büttner, Chairman of the Management S-Bahn Munich
Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in intelligent transport
solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas
include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio, turnkey
systems as well as related services. With digital products and solutions, and the use of industrial AI,
Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make their infrastructure intelligent,
increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience, and guarantee
availability. In fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of
€11.4 billion and employed around 41,900 people worldwide. Further information is available at:
www.siemens.com/mobility