City Transport Simulator 2026 · published
The Vienna Expansion for City Transport Simulator 2026 launches on October 13, and until then, we want to give you a few more insights into the work that goes on behind the scenes of an expansion like this.Of course, a lot of work goes into the Vienna map itself and the recreation of the three real-world routes. We’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes insights into that very soon.But the vehicles are just as interesting, as much of the work here goes into details that might not be obvious at first glance.With ULF A, ULF B, C2 and C2G, four vehicles are joining the game for Vienna’s public transport network. You may already be familiar with ULF A1 and ULF B1 from the base game. Their predecessors, A and B, which are included in the Vienna Expansion, may look very similar at first – but there are a surprising number of differences once you take a closer look.
ULF A and ULF B belong to the same vehicle generation. While the ULF A, at 24.2 metres, is the shorter variant, the ULF B measures 35.5 metres.Here are some of the key specifications and differences compared to A1/B1:
ULF A: 24.2 metres, 42 seats and room for 94 standing passengers, six 80 kW motors
The differences continue inside. A/B feature white interior panelling, grey handrails and lighting positioned along the sides of the interior. In A1/B1, the panelling is grey, the handrails are yellow and the lighting runs along the centre.The driver’s cab also reflects the respective generation. ULF A/B use the B1690 IBIS unit together with a monochrome driver display, while A1/B1 feature the B2063d and a colour display.There are further differences when it comes to passenger air conditioning and windows. A/B do not feature passenger air conditioning and have five sliding windows per module that can be opened. A1/B1 feature passenger air conditioning and one sliding window per module. The display showing the coasting percentage for energy-efficient driving is also only available in A1/B1.You can hear the differences as well. A/B and A1/B1 sound noticeably different, particularly when it comes to the driving sound. We have also taken the differences between the generations into account for individual sounds, including the doors, bell and contactors.Comparing the two ULF generations shows just how much work goes into each individual vehicle.In fact, the comparison between the two ULF generations is a good example of how much work can go into a vehicle that may already look familiar at first glance. An existing model cannot simply be turned into another generation in a single day. From the bodywork and interior to the driver’s cab, technical components and sounds, numerous differences first have to be researched and then recreated individually. Only when all of these elements come together does A1/B1 actually become A/B.
On bus route 35A between Spittelau and Salmannsdorf, you’ll take the wheel of the C2G and C2.The C2G is the 18-metre articulated variant, offering 37 seats and room for 103 standing passengers. It is powered by an OM 470 diesel engine producing 265 kW, or 360 hp.The 12-metre C2 is a little more compact, with 28 seats and room for 77 standing passengers. It is powered by an OM 936 diesel engine producing 220 kW, or 300 hp.Both variants have a top speed of 80 km/h and are equipped with a 6-speed ZF Ecolife torque-converter automatic transmission.
For the C2, we specifically focused on recreating the Viennese version of the vehicle. Because a C2 isn’t automatically a Viennese C2.You can see this in details such as the seats and stop-request buttons, the IBIS unit and the controls on the dashboard. The Viennese version does not feature a ticket printer. Both the interior and exterior also feature the appropriate Wiener Linien colour scheme and design.One particularly interesting detail can be found in the doors. The Viennese vehicles feature electrically operated swing-sliding doors at every entrance.The first door has an additional peculiarity: the rear door leaf does not open straight, but at a slight angle. There is a very practical reason for this. With the steering turned, the door leaf could otherwise collide with the front tyre.We have recreated this movement in the game as well.A large part of this work happens long before you see the vehicles driving through the finished streets of Vienna. Directly in the engine, models and materials are checked alongside interiors, controls, doors and their animations.This is where you can really see how much work can go into recreating a single vehicle variant. Many of the differences may seem small on their own, but during development they still need to be researched, modelled, textured, animated, recorded and tested.
With ULF A, ULF B, C2 and C2G, the Vienna Expansion brings four vehicles closely associated with Vienna’s public transport network.Some of the differences are obvious from a quick look at the front. Others only become apparent once you sit down in the driver’s cab, open a door – or listen closely.From October 13, 2026, you’ll be able to take the wheel of all four vehicles and explore Vienna by bus and tram.