Germany, Egypt: The four-car trainset was presented on the Wegberg-Wildenrath test facility.
The EMU has a design similar to that of the Desiro HC for DB but features a more powerful AC system and spoilers underneath interim cars, which minimise sand ingress. The trains have a maximum speed of 160 km/h and can accommodate up to 849 passengers, 389 of whom are seated.
The train was built as part of a contract awarded to the German manufacturer in May 2022. The contract included 94 Desiro HC, 41 high-speed Velaro trains and 41 freight Vectron locomotives. The first Desiro HC of the five already built has already been delivered and one Velaro has been produced. The latter is now being tested in Germany and will be presented at InnoTrans 2024 this September.