[7][8][9] In December 2008, an option to order 60 more locomotives was exercised for an amount of € 222M, for delivery between June 2010 and April 2012.

While belonging to the EuroSprinter family of locomotives, the Class 18 units use a new exterior cab design (similar to the CP Class 4700 ordered by Comboios de Portugal around the same time), that would later be used on the later Vectron locomotives and the upcoming ÖBB Nightjet Siemens Viaggio Comfort Next Level rakes.

[13] On March 3, 2009, the first unit (roadnumber 1802) was officially delivered to SNCB/NMBS for test and homologation purpose.

[14] Homologation issues delayed commercial introduction (originally planned for the summer schedule - May 2011),[15] as a result Siemens was obliged to pay the maximum amount of penalties (€21.12 million).

[16] In July 2011 the first revenue earning Intercity services ran, under temporary approval.