In 1961 a new design, the Hamburg, was unveiled at the Geneva Salon and caused a sensation in the industry. At a time when most coaches were rounded, bulbous or streamlined, the new design had clear-cut lines with edges and large windows. Developed by the founder's eldest son Albrecht and another student, Swiss Bob Lee, as part of their dissertation at Hamburg University, the design also allowed every passenger to regulate fresh air supply through a nozzle from two air ducts.

Both Albrecht and Lee joined Neoplan after university. Albrecht took over management of the company in 1965. Bob Lee became head of Engineering and Design.

In 1964 the founder's second son, Konrad, developed a double-deck design for a service bus as part of his dissertation. The design had extremely low weight and could carry over 100 passengers. It also featured a low-frame front axle with forward-mounted steering gear that permitted a low flat floor. The double-deck principle was applied to coach design creating a revolutionary high-capacity comfortable vehicle for touring. This vehicle was known as the Skyliner, and created an image for the company that differentiated the Neoplan brand from its competitors and created interest in its products across Europe.

In 1971 the Cityliner was introduced. This design had a passenger platform at a level above the driver's cab and included an onboard toilet. The vehicle also made use, for the first time, of glass-fibre reinforced plastic for certain areas of the body. In 1973 the Jetliner was introduced, featuring a large one-piece windscreen, with the driver and door windows sloping from the passenger window line down to the bottom of the windscreen level.

A second manufacturing facility opened in Pilsting in 1973, and a third opening in Kumasi, Ghana in 1974 to support a large order.

The double-deck Skyliner concept was taken to its ultimate conclusion in 1975 with the introduction of the Jumbocruiser, a double-deck articulated coach 18 metres long and 4 metres high. The Spaceliner, introduced in 1979 took the Cityliner concept of passenger floor level above the driver, and extended the actual floor above the cab. This kept the height of the vehicle lower than a double-decker (3.65 metres), but still allowed installation of toilets, kitchens or sleep cabins below the passenger compartment.