ICE 4

ICE 4

Company type	Train brand / Rolling stock
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	2011
Founder	Deutsche Bahn, Siemens Mobility, Bombardier Transportation
Headquarters	Germany
Key people	Deutsche Bahn, Siemens Mobility, Bombardier Transportation, Alstom (since 2021)
Products	High-speed Intercity-Express trains (multiple units)
Parent	Deutsche Bahn (operator)

ICE 4 represents the brand designated for the high-speed Intercity-Express trains acquired by Deutsche Bahn for long-distance travel.

The procurement process started approximately in 2008, aiming to replace locomotive-pulled InterCity and EuroCity services. This initiative later expanded to include the replacement of older ICE 1 and ICE 2 trainsets. In 2011, Siemens Mobility won a contract to supply 130 seven-car intercity trainsets alongside 90 ten-car ICE train replacements, with additional options available. The agreement was updated in 2013 to extend the length of the ten-car sets to twelve cars. Originally named ICx, the trains were rebranded as ICE 4 in late 2015 when the first unit was revealed, receiving the class designation 412 from Deutsche Bahn.

By 2016, two prototype trainsets had been constructed and underwent testing prior to the launch of the full production series in late 2017.

Contract and production

Deutsche Bahn initiated a tender around 2008 to replace the locomotive-hauled trainsets operating on its long-distance division, DB Fernverkehr’s InterCity and EuroCity routes. The initial plan aimed at procuring between 100 and 130 trainsets without specifying whether these would be locomotive-hauled or multiple units, considering options such as Railjet or ICE 3 EMUs. The new ICX trains were designed to achieve speeds ranging from 200 to 250 km/h while enhancing energy efficiency.

Subsequently, the scope broadened to include replacing ICE 1 and ICE 2 fleets, increasing the order potential up to approximately 300 trainsets capable of reaching speeds up to 280 km/h. Both Siemens and Alstom submitted bids; Siemens’ proposal involved Bombardier Transportation as a subcontractor. Initial bids in 2009 surpassed €5 billion, but Siemens was chosen as the preferred bidder in 2010. On 9 May 2011, Deutsche Bahn and Siemens finalized a contract for 130 ICX trains, with options for an additional 170 units, amounting to nearly €6 billion by 2030. Siemens’ portion was valued at €3.7 billion, marking its largest-ever contract.

In 2011, Siemens awarded Bombardier a subcontract worth €2.2 billion—€1.3 billion covering the first batch of 130 intercity trains—responsible for optimizing aerodynamic design and supplying bodyshells. Production was planned across Bombardier’s facilities: bodyshells at Görlitz, driving vehicle assembly at Hennigsdorf, and Flexx Eco bogie manufacturing at Siegen. The extension from ten- to twelve-car formations added €336 million to Bombardier’s order value. Additional bodyshells were produced at Bombardier’s Wrocław plant in Poland, which expanded its capacity in 2015 by adding an 18,357 m² hall dedicated initially to ICX production.

Faiveley Transport secured contracts late in 2011 for supplying brake systems—including magnetic track brakes and electropneumatic brakes—as well as doors and air conditioning systems for the initial order of 130 trainsets.

Voith provided critical nose components such as the GFRP driver cabin, nose modules with access hatches, coupling mechanisms, and snow deflectors.

Assembly of trainsets commenced in 2013 with two pre-series units delivered by 2016. After Alstom acquired Bombardier’s rail division in January 2021, remaining manufacturing duties were transferred to Alstom.

Design

The original 2011 agreement with Siemens outlined a versatile train configuration, allowing for trainsets composed of 5 to 14 cars, with 24 different combinations of powered and unpowered vehicles. Two primary models were developed: a seven-car set seating 499 passengers featuring 3 motorized cars (K1n), capable of reaching , intended as a substitute for locomotive-hauled trains; and a ten-car set accommodating 724 passengers with 5 powered cars (K3s), designed to replace ICE1 and ICE2 units. These new trains were projected to be 20 tonnes lighter than their predecessors, promising a 30% improvement in energy efficiency.

Each trainset incorporates amenities such as a restaurant or bistro car, dedicated bicycle storage, and a family-friendly zone.

The exterior styling earned the design a Red Dot in 2015.

K3 variants operate across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while twelve K1 sets serve routes extending into the Netherlands.

On 5 March 2013, DB authorized a 12-car configuration, which raised seating capacity from 724 to 830, replacing the earlier 10-car design to accommodate anticipated passenger growth. In 2020, DB placed an order for an expanded 13-car version offering increased capacity and enhanced maximum speed; the K3s' twelve-car ICE4 will be upgraded to reach .

Introduction, operations, and maintenance

By 2013, DB had designated a maintenance facility located in Nippes, Cologne for servicing its ICE fleet, including forthcoming ICx trains.

In April 2015, DB Systemtechnik initiated environmental testing on ICx components under controlled climatic conditions; mainline test runs commenced on 25 September 2015.

A pre-series trainset was presented at Berlin Südkreuz on 4 December 2015 and rebranded as ICE 4, officially classified under Class 412.

On 16 September 2016, Siemens announced that the ICE4 had received certification from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA). Passenger trial operations began on the Hamburg–Würzburg–Munich corridor on 31 October 2016, with full commercial service planned for December 2017.

On 26 September 2018, DB approved an order for an additional eighteen seven-car trainsets plus fifty individual cars to expand current deliveries.

Due to issues with carriage frame integrity discovered on 4 April 2019, DB suspended further ICE4 deliveries and requested Siemens and Bombardier Transportation to resolve these quality concerns.

By July 2019, Siemens, Bombardier, and DB reached an agreement to repair the trains—considered safe for operation—between 2020 and mid-2023; DB resumed acceptance of new deliveries immediately thereafter.

In 2020, DB announced plans for up to fifty "XXL-ICE" trains featuring a novel thirteen-car formation entering service starting in 2021. These trains extend to a length of 374 meters, accommodate up to 918 passengers, and achieve speeds of . The final unit was delivered in April 2023.

In June 2023, the last ICE4 order was completed with the delivery of the one hundred thirty-seventh unit—a seven-car set. DB intends to continue expanding its ICE fleet with ICE3 Neo (Class408) and ICE L models.

Seven-car sets

The seven-car formations known as K1s (previously K1n) have the following layout:

Car No.	27/37	26/36	25/35	24/34	23/33	22/32	21/31
Designation	Apmzf 6812.2	ARmz 8812.2	Bpmbsz 7412.2	Bpmz 3412.2	Bpmz 3812.2	Bpmz 3412.7	Bpmdzf 7812.2
Class and function	First Class Driver's cab car	First Class Bordrestaurant	Second Class Service car	Second Class			Second Class Driver's cab car
Seating capacity	50	First Class:27 Restaurant:16	44	88			59 plus two folding seats

12-car sets

The K3 series, consisting of 12-car formations, are organized in the following manner.

Car No.	14	12	11	10	9	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Designation	Apmzf 0812.0	Apmz 1812.0	Apmz 1412.0	ARmz 8812.0	Bpmbsz 6412.0	Bpmz 9812.0	Bpmz 2412.0	Bpmz 2412.3	Bpmz 4812.0	Bpmz 2412.5	Bpmz 2412.8	Bpmdzf 5812.0
Class and function	First Class Driver’s cab car	First Class		First Class Dining car	Second Class Service car	Second Class						Second Class Driver’s cab car
Seating capacity	50	67		21 seats in First Class 22 seats in Restaurant	38	88						59 seats plus 2 folding seats

13-car sets

The largest formation, known as the K4 sets with 13 cars, is composed as shown below.

Car No.	14	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Designation	Apmzf 0812.0	Apmz1812.0	Apmz1412.0	ARmz8812.0	Bpmbsz6412.0	Bpmz9812.0	Bpmz2412.0	Bpmz2412.3	Bpmz4812.0	Bpmz2412.7	Bpmz2412.5	Bpmz2412.8	Bpmdzf5812.0
Class and function	First Class Driver’s cab car	First Class		First Class Dining car	Second Class Service car	Second Class							Second Class Driver’s cab car
Seating capacity	50	67		21 seats in First Class 22 seats in Restaurant	38	88							59 seats plus 2 folding seats