Marcopolo Paradiso: Brazil’s Hi-Deck coach since 1984

The Marcopolo Paradiso is a coach body for medium and long-distance routes, produced by Marcopolo of Rio Grande do Sul since its launch in 1984. It was the company’s first Hi-Deck design and has been built in different heights and lengths on rear- or mid-engined Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania and Volkswagen chassis. The range has passed through eight generations, the latest presented in July 2021.

Marcopolo Paradiso at a glance

History of the Marcopolo Paradiso

Origins (1983–1984)

In March 1983 Marcopolo presented new bus bodies for both the intercity and the urban segments under the slogan Sistema Tecnológico de Transportes, the start of a product line that included the Torino, the Strada and the Viaggio. The Paradiso followed in 1984 as the company’s first Hi-Deck coach, a body that raises the passenger deck above the driver. The Nielson Diplomata 380, presented a few months later, had a similar height and design. The Paradiso has been built ever since on rear- or mid-engined Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania and Volkswagen chassis, in versions of different heights, and has been redesigned several times.

Low driver and double decker (1994–1995)

In 1994 Marcopolo added the low driver, or LD, version, in which the driver’s cabin sits below the passenger saloon. The double decker, or DD, followed in 1995, with a larger saloon on the upper deck and a smaller one below, integrated with the driver’s cabin. Both were almost new to the Brazilian market; the exception was the Thamco Gemini, a double-decker launched in 1988.

Generations (1984–2021)

The line is counted in generations. The G4 of 1984–1992 offered the 1400 and, from 1991, the 1150. The G5 of 1992–2000 brought the GV 1150 and GV 1450, the GV 1450 LD of 1994, the GV 1800 DD of 1995 and the GV 1150 HD of 1999. The G6 of 2000–2011 covered the 1200, 1350, 1550 LD and 1800 DD. The G7 of 2009–2018 began with the 1050 and 1200, gained the 1600 LD and 1800 DD in 2011 and the 1350 in 2015. From 2018 the range was sold as the New G7, with the 1350 and 1600 LD, until the eighth generation arrived.

G8 (2021)

On 20 July 2021 Marcopolo presented the Paradiso G8, with a renewed look and a long list of new equipment and safety features. The range runs from the 1050, 1200 and 1350 to the 1600 LD, from 2022, and the 1800 DD. After the G8 arrived the New G7 1350 and 1600 LD were discontinued.

Design and features

• Hi-Deck body: the passenger deck sits above the driver, the layout Marcopolo introduced with this model in 1984.
• Three deck arrangements: standard Hi-Deck, low driver from 1994 and double decker from 1995.
• A wide range of sizes: models from the 1050 to the 1800 DD, in different heights and lengths.
• Many chassis: rear- or mid-engined Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania and Volkswagen units.
• Eight generations: from the G4 of 1984 to the G8 presented in July 2021.

Marcopolo Paradiso versions

• Paradiso G4 (1984–1992): the original Hi-Deck, in 1400 and later 1150 form.
• Paradiso GV (1992–2000): the fifth generation, including the first low driver (1994) and double decker (1995).
• Paradiso G6 (2000–2011): 1200, 1350, 1550 LD and 1800 DD.
• Paradiso G7 and New G7 (2009–2021): from the 1050 to the 1800 DD, updated in 2018.
• Paradiso G8 (2021): 1050, 1200, 1350, 1600 LD and 1800 DD, with a new look.
• Double decker: a larger saloon upstairs and a smaller one below, combined with the driver’s cabin.

The Paradiso followed the Marcopolo III and was launched together with the urban Torino and the Viale city bus. More coaches are in the Marcopolo collection.

Video: Lanzamiento Marcopolo Paradiso G7 1800 DD y 1600 LD

Video by Edwin Loza on YouTube.

Sources

• Marcopolo Paradiso, Portuguese Wikipedia: history, low driver and double decker, generations
• Marcopolo Paradiso, English Wikipedia: launch date, G7 and G8 ranges