First ICE3 neo with new interior design inaugurated regular service

On 23 October 2023 at Frankfurt am Main Hbf the ICE 408 017 with new interior design celebrated its premiere. The newest train ran its first passenger run to Köln - three months earlier than originally planned.

With this new design, DB is pursuing its strategy to renew its fleet and further improve travel comfort and convenience. Among numerous innovations are:
- the completely redeveloped seats are designed as a personal retreat, offering improved adjustment options and even greater comfort. 
- the interior’s harmonious new look features modern materials like wood décor accents and premium 85% wool upholstery in finely nuanced colors. 
- seats in the 1st class are finished in warm gray tones, while blue tones dominate in the 2nd class and burgundy red defines the on-board restaurant. 
- additional passenger functionality is provided by features like integrated tablet holders and coat hooks in each backrest. 

Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility, said: “We delivered the first trains of the new ICE 3neo fleet in record time - and are now further stepping up the pace. Starting this November, a complete eight-car ICE 3neo will roll out of our Krefeld plant every 16 days. With our delivery of 90 trains, we are supplying a large part of DB’s long-distance transport capacity and will significantly rejuvenate the ICE fleet.” 

With the launch of the new ICE interior design, passengers can now personally experience DB’s new design language for long-distance travel across their entire journey - from the new DB Travel Centers and DB Lounges to the ICE 3neo, the flagship of DB’s long-distance fleet. Delivery of 73 additional trains finished in the new interior design will follow by 2028. Since first entering service, the ICE 3neo has been very popular and has impressed passengers with its high level of reliability. 

The ICE 3neo will not remain the only train type featuring the new interior design. At the end of 2024, DB will receive the first of 79 ordered ICE L trains with step-free passenger access. The new interior design will be used for all of the trains. The ICE 3neos and ICE Ls will reduce the average age of ICE and IC trains to 12 years, down from 18 at present.