BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November 2015

THE 23rd edition of the Kortrijk Busworld will go down in history as the best performance in 44 years of existence of the most impor-

tant European biennial event, which brings together the best of international bus production. The number of visitors reached the record figure of 34,932 (+ 19%), coming from 118 countries. The number of exhibitors reached the record figure of 411 companies from 36 countries.During this edition the bus manufacturers have responded massively to the increasing trend of alternative drive vehicles, from natural gas supply to hybrid and all-electric ones. A countless number of offers concerning the latters could cover all the bus types: from minibuses to articulated buses and double decks. But also new offers for touring coaches for both the high decker and double decks.To cut it short, once again manufacturers kept nothing for themselves, showing everything and more, and as always there were many of them awarded in the different separate sessions of the European Coach and Bus Week (ECW). Among them, for example, the Setra S 516 HDH won the “Coach Grand Award 2015”, the Van Hool EX17H invited on stage for the label Ecology, the Volvo 9900 awarded for Security and the Man Lion’s Coach for Comfort. Between city buses the Isuzu Citiport was awarded for Comfort and the electric by BYD and Ebusco for Environmental friendliness. •

Great participation of exhibitors and visitors at the 23rd edition of the Busworld Europe. In the foreground the CNG and electric buses

IVECO BUSThe Iveco Bus showcased its entire

range displaying six vehicles on the Iveco Bus stand and others available out-doors for test drives. During the award ceremony at Busworld the Iveco tourist coach Magelys Pro has officially got the prestigious title of “International Co-ach of the Year 2016”. It was emphasized that

with Magelys, “Iveco has focused on efficien-cy of the vehicle, and the jury praised the way designed to reduce the total cost of ownership for the operator”. The winning model was di-splayed at the outdoor; while on the stand the-re was a possibility to observe the full optional “Lounge” version bearing the colours of the rugby team, the New Zealand All Blacks.On the stand there were as well two 13-me-tre Crossway Line coaches in high-floor and LE low-entry version; an Urbanway city bus, in the Bus Rapid Transit version and a Daily Tourys equipped with the new Hi-Matic auto-matic gearbox. One of the major innovations was a 16-seater Daily Electric 50C H3 measu-ring 7.12 metres in length. With two or three sodium-nickel-chloride batteries (FIAMM So-Nick), the new model declares having a range of up to100 km and 160 km respectively. •

SCANIAT he 12.2-metre Interlink Low Decker

fitted with Euro VI gas engine deli-vering 320 hp and 1,200-litre cylinders on the roof, was the big Scania preview. A new bus type for intercity services can significantly reduce CO2 emissions as well fuel in operating costs. The Medium and High Decker from 11 to 15 metres complete the Interlink range and from the beginning of 2016 they will replace the current OmniExpress range.Also on the stand there was a 12-metre Citywide LE (Class I and II) with the hybrid propulsion system certified for biodiesel use, with the 320 hp combustion engine, the 150 kW electric motor and the 1.2 kWh lithium ion batteries. There were

a 12-metre Citywide LF with the 280 hp gas engine and a 13.7-metre Scania Tou-ring HD with the 450 hp engine and the 13-litre engine. •

MAGELYS

URBANWAY BHNS DAILY ELECTRIC

INTERLINK

CITYWIDE LF 12 CNG CITYWIDE LE 12 HYBRID

THE CHARGE OF ELECTRICBUSES

AT the large stand in hall 5, Daimler Buses confirmed what anticipated

in the October issue of BusToCoach Maga-zine. That is to say that for the Setra brand there were the new 14-metre S 418 LE MultiClass business carrying more than 60 passengers, with 360 or 394 hp engines and manual, automated and automatic transmis-sion. The TopClass 13.3-metre S 516 HDH was fitted with the new Ambassador seats with height-adjustable headrests and side

bolsters. To emphasize the primacy of the Setra double decks on European markets, there was the four-star renewed 13.9-metre S 431 DT offering seats for 80 passengers. The 10.5-metre S 511 HD is a shorter ver-sion offering 34 seats, two club tables and face-to-face seating.As for the Mercedes brand there were the versions from different ranges, namely: the well-known 12.6-metre Intouro M, the 14-metre Tourismo L, the 13-metre Trave-

go M and the 7.7-metre Sprinter City 65. The Citaro citybus powered by natural gas made its world premiere. The 12-metre Ci-taro NGT (Natural Gas Technology) was unveiled at Kortrijk. The Citaro G NGT articulated version is also available. Two different covers are available on the roof, which hold either four to six 225-litre gas tanks or seven to eight as needed. They are made with a plastic core, a casing made of carbon fibres and glass fibres. The new

7.7-litre M 936 G engine (302 hp) runs on compressed natural gas.As for engines, there were the following ones presented: the new 12.8-litre OM 471 available with outputs of 476 and 510 hp for the three-axle Mercedes and Setra buses.At the Daimler Buses stand there also were space for BusStore services (used), FleetBoard (electronic management), Omniplus (service and spare parts). •

DAIMLER BUSES

MAN TRUCK & BUSS ix months after the preview at the MAN

BusDays in Ankara, the MAN Lion’s In-tercity aimed at interregional long-distance services (also school buses), was officially presented to the international markets. The vehicle sets standards with low life-cycle costs. MAN is showcasing the vehicle in the 12-metre and 13-metre long versions, powered in both cases by the 290-hp D0836 engine mated to the ZF EcoLife automatic transmission.About the urban Lion’s City buses on show, it’s worth to point out the recent optimization of consumption (even with the introduction of the Start & Stop automatic function), the increase in the number of transported passen-

gers, the improved door robustness and the new Isri NTS2 seat. In terms of alternative drives, in addition to the current proposals of biodiesel, gas, biogas and hybrid engines, MAN announced for 2017 the development of 100% electrically-powered bus.For MAN and NEOPLAN regular service buses and tourism coaches, were presented in Kortrijk special versions made at the Plauen Bus Modification Centre (BMC). Since a few months, they try to satisfy the special reque-sts of customers searching for ambitious so-lutions to meet the individual requirements. An example is the lounge on the Neoplan cityliner also fitted with special lighting and sound system or the Neoplan Skyliner double deck coach titted with 18 Exlusive Plus se-ats at the lower deck, height adjustable tables and a large fully equipped kitchen. •

VOLVOL ast June at the UITP in Milan Volvo

presented one of its ‘concept electric buses’, which operated in Gothenburg. At Kortijk Busworld the Swedish manufacturer put on show the 7900 Electric in the com-mercial configuration ready for the market. It is to be added to the 7900 Hybrid (also articulated) and 7900 Hybrid Electric, com-pleting the Volvo electric bus range.The 12-meter 7900 Electric buses uses 80% less energy compared to a diesel bus. It is p o w e r e d by the 160-kW electric engine and lithium-ion batteries of 600 volts with total capacity of 76 kWh. B a t t e r i e s can be re-charged at the terminal stops in 3-6

minutes (operating range of 10 km). The 7900 Electric can carry up to 85 passengers.Another innovation was the Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS). It is a steering system alre-ady in use for two years on the Volvo trucks and now integrated into the Volvo 9500, 9700 and 9900. The VDS improves direc-tional stability, comfort and safety. The Volvo system has an electrically ope-rated motor, attached to the steering shaft. Working in tandem with the hydraulic power steering, the electric motor is modulated by the electronic control unit. Compensating automatically for uneven road surfaces, VDS eliminates vibrations and steering kick.

In addition, when driving at low speeds, steering wheel inertia is redu-ced by around 75 per cent, which also makes rever-sing much ea-sier. •

S 418 LE Business S 431 DT

OM 471

CITARO NGT TOURISMO L

INTERCITY

SKYLINER

VDS 7900 ELECTRIC

T he look and the structural benefits (li-ghtness, rigidness and corrosive highly

resistant materials) that characterize the new Urbino measuring 12 and 18 metres launched the last year are progressively applied to the entire Solaris range. The new versions of Urbino 12 Electric and intercity Urbino 12 LE were on show at the Busworld.The 12-metre Urbino electric is fitted with the electric drive axle with axle-mounted electric motors, 125 kW maximum power each and battery packs of 40 kWh each lo-cated at the rear of the vehicle (4 packs),

while the rest is mounted on the roof (two packs), over the first axle. This solution ensures proper load distribution on axles. The Urbino 12 electric is also fitted with an innovative pantograph charging system (400 kW) which allows a quick recharge of the batteries on route. There is a traditional plug-in connection and many more confi-gurations in that regard.The new Urbino LE has also got further changes made, such as implementation of the screw-fastened side panels which ena-ble fast and easy replacement and moving of the tanks to the front part of the vehicle

to improve axle loads. In addition, the en-gine compartment is designed to accommo-date the engines of different size such as the 6.7-litre Cummins ISB6.7 or the 10.8 litre DAF / Paccar MX 11.Solaris also presented a ‘Concept Midi-bus’, based on the DAF LF truck chassis with the four-cylinder 4.5 litre Paccard PX-5 engine delivering from 152 to 213 hp. The bus is 8.2 metre long (the 9.6 me-tre long version is also expected) and can carry up to 31 passengers.The new Urbino CNG and the new Trollino are to be launched bythe end of 2016. •

SOLARIS

VAN HOOLV an Hool was completely focused on the

touring coaches, despite the good an-nual results in terms of the city buses (231 units sold), hybrids (18 units) and the mul-ti-propulsion Exqui.City platform vehicles (18 units).It was recalled that the new Van Hool plant in Macedonia is now 100% operational with an annual production capacity of 600 vehi-cles, both Van Hool holds a 38% share.

Last year Van Hool launched the new CX35 and CX45 models, and the new TDX25 dou-ble decker. Speaking of the double deckers, it should be reminded that over the last five years Van Hool sold 1,050 vehicles on the European and North American markets.The new products presented at Busworld were the coaches from the EX range that debuted last year in the two-axle version. The new EX16H and EX17H respectively

of 13.4 and 14.2 metres, are powered by the 435-hp Paccard MX11 engine and ZF As-tro-nic. The capacity is 57 and 61 passengers respectively. The EX16H was presented in right-hand drive version and colors of Arriva UK.Also on display a large representation of the TX, now also with Paccard MX13 engine coupled to the Allison automatic transmis-sion. •

VDLBUS & COACHT he new double decker Futura FDD2 of-

fered in two lengths (13.1 and 14.1 me-tres) was the main protagonist at the VDL stand. A “4-metre-high limousine” as we titled it in the article published in the Oc-tober issue of BusToCoach Magazine whi-ch we refer to for details. The 14-metre FHD2 and the 12.9-me-tre FMD2, the latter awarded this year for the opera-tional costs efficiency by the jury of the IBC (In-t e r n a t i o n a l Bus & Coach Competition), were presen-ted in order to remain in the category of ‘coaches’.In the urban section the-re was the 3-door version (1-2-1) of the Citea LLE. All the doors are electrically operated. The Citea LLE is equipped with LED lighting for both the interior and the exterior. There are the same characteristics and cockpit re-newed for the Citea SLF-120 Electric drive-line powered by the Siemens ELFA engine (160 kW) and a battery pack of 122 kWh for rapid charging via pantograph. The 18.1 metre articulated Version SLFA was presen-ted last June at the UITP World Congress & Exhibition fair in Milan. •

URBINO 12 LE

TX 27 ASTROMEGA

URBINO 12 ELECTRIC

CONCEPT MIDIBUS

EX 16H EX 17H

FUTURA FDD2

CITEA SLF-120 ELECTRIC

T here is a continuous penetration of the Turkish brand to European markets,

where in the first eight months of this year Otokar sales showed excellent performance: + 90% in France, + 88% in Italy, + 93% in Spain, + 50% in Germany. The ‘C’ versions as the ‘city’ for Navigo (8 metres), Vectio (9-10 metres) and Kent (10-12 metres) have been particularly appreciated for the urban

services.To strengthen its presence in this segment, the 10.8-metre Kent C version was presen-ted at the UITP World Congress&Exhibi-tion in Milan, the 10-metre version for the low-entry Vectio C was added as well at the Busworld, now also powered by the 250-hp Cummins as an alternative to the 250-hp MAN.

But the real preview was the Kent C mea-suring 18 or 18.75 metres, equipped with the 369-hp DAF / Paccard MX 11 engine, ZF EcoLife automatic transmission and a capcity up to 164 passengers.In the intercity range (U), there were the 13.2-metre Territo U and 10.1-metre touring Vectio T powered by the new 310-hp Cum-mins engine. •

OTOKAR

T he Turkish manufacturer presented se-ven vehicles; two of them brand new.

The small multi-use MD 7 (7.7m long, 3.35 m high and 2.4 m wide) is going to be added to the midi MD 9 & MD 9 LE range also present at Busworld. The MD 7 carries up to 33 passengers and can be equipped for the disabled people. It’s fit-ted with the 180-hp Cummins engine and manual gearbox. The second innovation is the Marathon, a super high decker offe-red in lengths of 12.36 and 13 metres and 3.9 metres in height, with luggage com-partment of 13 and 14 cubic metres. It is powered by the 440-hp Paccard MX11 en-gine coupled to the ZF As-tronic transmis-

sion. There also were on show the HD 13 (27 cm lower), the intercity LD 13 SB and the urban LF 12. •

The Turkish manufacturer, trying to make its way to European markets, for the se-

cond time brought to Kortrijk the three vehi-cles of its bus family: the 5.8-metre low-flo-or minibus Jest powe-red by the 170 hp FPT Euro VI engine with an access for disabled person; the 8.15-metre low-floor midibus Atak powered by the 186-hp FPT engine; the 8.2-me-tre intercity Star powe-red by the same engine

carrying up to 31 passengers and having a luggage compartment of 4.25 cubic metres

with a possibility of a wheelchair ramp moun-ted on the second door.To everybody’s surpri-se, they also presented the electric version of minibus JEST that will come into series pro-duction in 2017. The electric engine has an output of 125 kW and the lithium ion batteries have a total capacity of 66 kWh. •

TEMSA KARSAN

ISUZUT he usual parade of all

the listed models was on the stand of the Anado-lu Isuzu Turkish-Japanese joint venture. There were the models from the urban Novociti (7.5 metres with new exterior aesthetics, 190-hp Isuzu engi-ne), Citibus (9.5 metres, 215 hp Cummins), Citiport (12 metres, 280-hp Cummins engi-ne, awarded by the ECW jury for comfort and ergonomics) to touring Novo Ultra (7.3 metres, 190-hp Isuzu engine), Tourquase Lift and Vip (7.7 metres, 190-hp Isuzu en-gine) and Visigo (9.5 metres, 244-hp Cum-mins). There was also the new Visigo In-terurban version with a ramp at the second door and ZF automatic transmission. •

MD 7

TERRITO U 13,2

KENT C 18 VECTIO C 10

VECTIO T 10,1

VISIGO

MARATON HD 13 STAR

JEST ELECTRIC

ATAK

Irizar left at home the ‘chassis’ versions and at the Busworld focused only on the

‘Integral’ self-supporting vehicles. In the fo-reground there was the new touring high-end ‘i8’ that will gradually replace the Irizar PB to which it owes a number of the aesthetic solutions, accentuating the ‘smile’ that stands out at the front and taking inspiration from the i6 in terms of the rare part aesthetics. Of-fered in two lengths of 13.2 and 15 metres, the i8 is fitted with 46 or 52 seats (with toilet and kitchen), powered by the Paccard MX13 of 460 and 508 hp respectively, coupled to the ZF As-tronic transmission. Among the safety packs, the ACC, LCC and TPMS.On show also the14-metre i6 and the urban electric i2e. It is the Irizar’s first step in the

field of electric mobility that in 2016 will be followed by a new project realization of both vehicles and systems. The i2e is the 12-metre bus powered by the Siemens 180-kW electric engine and 376 kWh sodium nickel batteries.In front of the main hall entrance there was the i4 intercity and the low-entry 14.9-me-tre i3 LE powered by the 369-hp Paccard MX11 biodiesel engine. •

IRIZART he Spanish Indcar presented the comple-

te range of mini and midi buses. In the limelight there was the Next model, presen-ted in three variants: the 9.4-metre version based on the Mercedes Atego chassis with tires 305/70 R 19.5 (L9); the same length (L9) for the version based on the MAN N14 12.250 chassis with 37 seats; the 10-metre L10 Iveco model with 41 seats. In the com-mon Indcar- Vehixel stand there were the Wing models with 28 seats based on Iveco Daily 70C17 chassis and the Mobi with 33

seats, representing the pro-duction line of the Indcar plant in Romania. In the ur-ban range, in collaboration with Vehixel, there were the following Cytios innovations based on Iveco 70C17 chas-sis: the 4 Low Entry version with automatic transmission and the RLF 4 version with low-floor on the rear overhang, ramp and wheelchair area (30 units sold in Rome). •

INDCAR - VEHIXEL

After debuting last year at the FIAA in Madrid, the urban low floor New

City was presented in the 12-metre ver-sion based on the MAN A-22chassis, re-presenting the range which offers lengths from 10.5 to 18.75 metres on chassis of all major manufacturers. The 12.8-metre low entry Magnus.E was on show in the CNG version based on the Scania KIB 4x2 CNG chassis. It was fitted with 51 seats and wheelchair area.The Vectia Teris.10 Hybrid was the result of the collaboration with the CAF Group.

A low floor version is offered in two len-gths of 9.6 and 10.6 metres with hybrid drive system powered by the 160-kW die-sel motor generator, the electric engine of equal power and energy storage system through ultracapaci-tors. Also in the Vec-tia hybrid range the 12-metre version with CNG generator. •

CASTROSUA - VECTIA

There were double deck minibuses on the Unvi stand. The new vehicle of the

Spanish coachbuilder was the 14-metre double-deck intercity SIL carrying up to 77 passengers, manufactured in collaboration with MAN. Alongside with it there was the Urbis 2.5 DD Open Top based on Volvo me-

chanicals, the right hand Voyager GT RHD fitted with 30/34 seats and powered by the 177/231-hp Mercedes OM934LA engine and the new Compa T version with 29 seats based on Iveco Daily 70C17. •

UNVI

i3LE 15

i8 i2e ELECTRIC

SIL DD 14

VOYAGER GT

NEW CITY 12 VECTIA TERIS.10

MAGNUS.E

NEXT CITYOS RLF 4

Nothing new presented by Beulas. The 13.2-metre Glory based on MAN chas-

sis, the small 7.5-metre Gianino with 27 se-ats and the 12.2-metre Aura were displayed in Kortrijk. All based on the MAN mecha-nicals.A y a t s has also r e - p r o -p o s e d its flag-ship pro-ducts: the 12-metre d o u b l e deck Bra-vo I City open top and the Eclipse double-decker for intercity and tourism services. •

BEULAS - AYATS

The Swiss manufacturer presented the 12-metre three-door Low Floor with

renewed aesthetics, aluminum frame, the 394-hp Mercedes OM 470 engine and ZF EcoLife automatic transmission. It can also be used as a traction unit in BusTrain combinations. •

HESS

T he Chinese manufacturer, for the sixth time taking part to the Kortrijk Buswor-

ld, has more than 2,500 buses in circulation in Europe, where it built a sales network covering 12 countries with two spare parts centers.Focused on the ‘Solution Plus’ theme with advanced solutions in terms of product, ser-vice, safety and energy saving, King Long unveiled in Kortrijk three Euro VI bus mo-dels: C9, B10 and E12.

Both the 9-metre raised-floor C9 and the 10.5-metre low-entry B10 have been com-pletely revised both in external and internal aesthetics in particular by optimizing the er-gonomics of the driver’s seat. Both vehicles are powered by the Cummins ISB.7E6 engi-ne delivering 314 hp the first one and 284 hp the second one.The new urban low-floor E2 powered by hybrid drive is completely new. It must be said that In May 2015, King Long launched

a complete range of green vehicles in China, covering all-electric buses and plug-in hybrid buses with length from 6m to 12m. The E12 plug-in hybrid is equipped with the 284-hp Cummins engine, ISG generator, electric drive motor and multi-component lithium batteries providing up to 10 thousand charging cycles and having a warranty period of 8 years.All the power management and charging plug-ins are provided by the new Eco-chip system. •

KING LONG

YUTONGF our models were presented in Hall 7 at the

Busworld. Two of them are brand new.The first was the 12.2-metre HTC12 touring coach. Elegant and full of accessories, it was fitted with 48 passenger seats, toilet, 12-cubic metre luggage compartment and the 435-hp DAF / Paccard MX11 engine mated to an As-tronic transmission.

The second one was the full electric E12. The 12-metre low floor reflects the experience of the Chinese manufacturer which put into ser-vice about 8,000 electric buses in about 140 cities so far. The electric drive is provided by the Yutong 200-kW engine powered by lithiu-m-ion batteries of 295 kWh (9 batteries at the rear part and 7 batteries on the roof), with

duration of 4,000 recharge cycles, offering a range of service equal to 320 km (at 20 degree and without AC) and rechargeable in 5-6 hours.On show there was also the touring TC12 and the EC10 in the school version. Outside there was the intercity version and coach models measuring 10.9 and 12.3 metres, all powered by DAF / Paccard engine. •

B10

C9 E12 BEULAS GIANINO

AYATS ECLIPSE

LF 12

E12 ELECTRIC HTC12

AT the stand of the Chinese BYD the-re were large electric vehicles that

complete the eBus range: the double deck bus and the 18.1-metre articulated bus. The dou-ble decker is designed specifically for London, where it went into service immediately after the Busworld. It is the 10.2-metre version for 81 passengers (54 seats) driven by two 150 kW electric motors in wheel hubs, either powered by 345 kWh batteries with a range of 240 km (300 km according to the Sort cycle). In its turn, the articulated version can carry up to 150 pas-

sengers. It is powered by the same two engines but is fitted with the 270 kWh batteries rechar-geable by plug-ins or pantograph. The range is 170 km (220 according to the Sort cycle).Outside there was the third BYD innovation. It is the full electric 8.8-metre midibus car-rying up to 49 passengers. It’s equipped with two motors of 90 kW each and batteries of 162 kWh.Always in the outer area there was also one of the 35 electric buses measuring 12 metres put in service at the airport of Amsterdam. •

There were three vehicles presented by the Chinese Xiamen Golden Dragon. In

the foreground there was the Explorer E6 (XML6129J), a high decker that has joined the list in 2006 and now has been com-pletely renewed, with a modern and aggres-sive aesthetic. The 12.2-metre vehicle has a capacity of 57 seats and an almost 13-cubic metre lug-gage compartment. The integrated body and chassis frame is treated by the Catho-dic electrophoresis. There are the safety systems of last gene-

ration (ACC, AEBS, Lane Assist, Driving At-tention System, Collision Alert, fire alarm sy-stem and so on). Following the transition to the Euro 6, the engine is the 400-hp FPT Cursor 9.On the stand there was also the 12-metre low-entry Pivot (XML6125CC) with the same FPT engine delivering 310 hp and a Voith au-tomatic transmission. And finally the 9.5-metre intercity Splendour (XML6937J) carrying up to 35 passengers, and powered by the 277-hp Cummins engine and ZF EcoLife automatic transmission. •

GOLDEN DRAGON

BYDP olish bus manufacturer presented the

only alternative buses of the Solcity range, starting from the low-floor three-do-or Solbus SM12 powered by the 8.9-litre liquefied natural gas (LNG) Cummins en-gine delivering 284 or 325 hp and 450-litre cylinders. The second showcased vehicle was the Sol-city 12 HC hybrid with the 12-litre natural gas engine Tedom (230 kW) that through a generator of 200 kW supplies power to TM4

electric motor with a maximum power of 235 kW (250 peak) and 1,600 NM of torque. Supercapacitors can accumulate about 500 Wh and gas cylinders have a geometric vo-lume of 1,216 litres to contain 304 cubic metres (218 kg) of natural gas. Outdoors there was the Solbus SM12 Elec-tric with lithium-ion batteries of 264 kWh, two 225 kW Ziehl-Abegg electric motors in wheel hubs, powered by fuel cells of 60 kW. •

From France there was the 9.3-metre elec-trical Oreos 4X of PVI (Gépébus group),

with 103 kW PVI motor and lithium-ion batteries of 170 kWh. Then, there was the 12-metre Businova multi hybrid with tram aesthetic and interiors with rear part raised

in the saloon. As for the traction, it combi-nes the action of the 80 kW diesel, the 180 kW electric motor, 135 kWh lithium-ion batteries and the hydraulic motor with va-riable cylinder capacity, to obtain the pull power equivalent to 240 hp. •

PVI - BUSINOVA

SOLBUS

eBUS DD 10,2 eBUS 18 12 HC HYBRID SM12 LNG

SPLENDOUR

PIVOT EXPLORER E6

PVI OREOS 4X BUSINOVA HYBRID

F rom The Netherland there was Ebusco re-proposing its 100% 11.5-metre electric

bus with an aluminum structure, 90 kW electric motor and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries of 242 or 311 kWh. There also was the 9.3-me-

tre electric Oreos 4X by PVI (Gépébus Group, France), powered by a 103-kW PVI electric motor and lithium-ion batteries of 170 kWh. From the Ukraine there was Bogdan that exhi-bited its 12-metre low-floor A70522 hybrid bus

powered by the 184-kW Cummins diesel engi-ne, 170 kW generator, 120 kW electric motor and supercapacitors. Then, the 18-metre 518 Sileo (Germany), with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries of 300 kWh and four 120 kW engines

each with a declared range of 300 km. Outdo-ors there also was the 12-metre electric Ekova (Czech Republic) with two portal Ziehl Abegg electric motors of 113 kW each in wheel hub and lithium-ion batteries of 190 kWh. •

T he Spanish Integralia, specializing in minibuses, counts on commer-

cial presence in France and Germany. In the last two years the manufacturer introduced four new models (in-urban, in-vip, in-tourism, in-vip plus) all based on Mercedes Sprinter and exhibited at the Busworld. The vehicles in question were the ‘in-urban’ with a capacity of 26 places and low floor in the central part of the vehicle; the in-tourism XL PMR for up to four passengers on wheelchair or 19 passengers; the in-vip with a capa-city of 15 great comfort passenger seats. Finally, the Integralia in-vip plus based on Sprinter 519, to provide maximum comfort to 10 passengers.Among many minibus suppliers pre-sent at the Busworld the following are

supposed to be kept in mind, namely: from Turkey, Tekaydinlar with a two-double doors low floor citybus and Esref presenting a similar model with a single double door; Atlas from Lithua-nia exhibited the Sprinter RHD, labeled

as hybrid, but actually the real hybrid you had to look for on the outside area of the fair; Buzola Bus from Czech Re-public presented a touring coach based on Sprinter, as well as Omnibus Tradi-ng (Netherlands) a Cabrio and Ferqui & Car.Bus (Spain) arrived in Kortrijk through the French Negobus that expo-sed the tourist Sunsundegui SC5 based on Volvo chassis. As well, the Tourist 716 of Kutsenits (Austria) based on Sprinter 516 (or 519) stretched to 8.5 metres, with air-suspension FPT rear axle and a capcity up to 38 passengers. From Slovakia there were the First of Rosero minibuses, all based on Iveco Daily, like the multi-equipped Midi Bus of Auto Cuby (Poland) offering 31 se-ats. •

EBUSCO - BOGDAN - SILEO - EKOVA

MINIBUS FROM ALL OVER EUROPE

EBUSCO Electric BOGDAN Hybrid SILEO Electric EKOVA Electric

INTEGRALIA in-urban

INTEGRALIA in-vip

TEKAYDINLAR ESREF ALTAS BUZOLA

AUTO CUBY

ROSERO

NEGOBUS - FERQUI

KUTSENITS