In the 1990s, Linke-Hoffmann-Busch, now known as Alstom Transport Deutschland, developed a modern, completely low-floor multiple unit with a modular drivetrain. It was introduced as LIREX, which means "light, innovative regional express". The basic concept for achieving the required properties consisted of combining the multiple unit from short car bodies that stood on special single-axle chassis and accommodating the majority of the propulsion technology on the roof.

Strictly speaking, the chassis was not a matter of individual axles, but of “curve-controlled individual wheel chassis” (KERF). The train was made up of two three-part halves, each with a two-axle car body in the middle. This was followed by another car body on both sides, which only stood on one axle and still achieved stable driving characteristics thanks to the steered wheels. In the entire train, six of the eight axles were equipped with a traction motor, which was powered by a total of four light diesel generators, each with 338 kW. Using a flywheel storage device, part of the braking energy could be recovered and reused for the next acceleration phase.

Only one set was built, which was used as a regional express between Magdeburg and Wittenberge. The passenger compartment, whose floor had a maximum height of 790 mm above the rails, was equipped with different, innovative seating arrangements and new types of entertainment electronics. Thanks to the short car bodies, it was possible to create more interior space with an external width of 3,042 mm and to arrange up to five seats in a row. A planned exchange of the four diesel generators for appropriate pantographs and converters did not take place. The vehicle was parked in 2006 and has been for sale since 2016. The Coradia Nordic was later developed as a successor without the individual wheel chassis, but with drive technology also housed in the roof area, and the Coradia Continental, which is also used in Germany, was based on this.

Under the name “Turbostar”, Bombardier (originally Adtranz) combined four classes of diesel multiple units that were based on the classes 165/166 “Networker Turbo”. Production took place at the Adtranz/Bombardier factory in Derby. They were the first new vehicles purchased by British railway companies after privatization, with Chiltern Railways as the first customer.

They are designed to be coupled with the “Sprinters” of classes 150 to 159. However, with a top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), they are faster over longer distances. Compared to their predecessors, they are also largely constructed of aluminum, but have more powerful engines from MTU.

The different variants each consist of two to four cars. The first delivered Class 168 is also called “Clubman”. Classes 170 and 171 only differ in the couplers. The class 172 has bigger differences, as it has more powerful engines and a mechanical six-speed gearbox instead of the two-stage hydraulic Voith gearbox. In the subclasses 172/2 and 172/3 there are additional gangways on the fronts.

In 1997, North Western Trains ordered 27 diesel multiple units from Alstom for longer distances. These class 175 trains together with the class 180 make up the “Coradia 1000” family and were built in Great Britain. The eleven two-car trains form the class 175/0 and the 16 three-car trains form the class 175/1. A part of them was originally intended to be built for 125 mph, but in the end all were only ordered for 100 mph. After being used for an extended period by Arriva Trains Wales, the operator is Transport for Wales Rail since 2021. They are to be replaced by the CAF-built class 197 in 2023.