The 36 three-car and 15 four-car emus were ordered in November 2010 and will be used on the new S-Bahn network radiating from Leipzig, which is due to begin operating when the Leipzig Citytunnel opens in December.

The trains were supplied under a framework contract agreed between DB and Bombardier in February 2007 for up to 321 Talent 2 trains, 295 of which have now been ordered.

Initial deliveries of Talent 2 emus to DB were delayed by approval problems, resulting in some trains originally due to enter service in 2009 being delayed for up to three years. This year approvals have accelerated, allowing the trains for the Leipzig area, together with the sets for the Karwendel Network (Munich – Garmish Partenkirchen/Oberammergau), to enter service ahead of schedule.