OFFERS FOR ITALY

International Bus Expo did not disappoint expectations. International manufacturers participated in full and Italian bodybuilders faced the competition by focusing on quality

IT’S the only significant event perta-ining the Italian bus sector, and,

once again, this year’s edition of the Interna-tional Bus Expo in Rimini hit the mark. Two exhibition halls at the Rimini Trade Fair hosted the display of product offers by manufacturers, bodybuilders and components specialists (fifty in total). The flow of visitors did not disappoint exhibitors’ expectations.Focusing on intercity and tourism transport, im-portant manufacturers, such as Daimler, Iveco, MAN and Volvo, by and large presented a more or less comprehensive collection of models al-ready familiar in the Italian market. Among the products unveiled at the recent IAA event in Hannover there was only the newest creation by Van Hool. A real first time participation, instead, came from English company Optare that will sell its electric and diesel models in Italy throu-gh Basco. To note the absence of King Long,

Otokar and Temsa, among others.Special consideration should go to bodybuilders specialising in small-size vehicles. Alongside

the familiar names of the vehicles ‘Made in Italy’, such as Tomas-sini, Sitcar, D’Auria and NewCar, Rimini saw a proliferation of low-cost foreign offers, perhaps cheaper in ter-ms of purchase value, but yet to be evaluated in terms of quality and after-sales assistance. Those product offers are a symptom of the status of the Italian

market: badly hit by the economic crisis and characterised by limited financial resources.Let’s start with the new entry for the Italian market: buses featu-ring the Optare logo. These models are im-ported by Basco that, in addition to being in charge of sales, will also be responsible for assistance services. Under the spotlight, there was the Solo SR in the right-hand drive version (which is, of course, available also with left-hand drive), an all-electric drive

vehicle with 150 kW engine and lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries that can be recharged in two (quick charge) or six hours. Available in the lengths of 9 and 9.7 metres, it is built on a self-supporting stainless steel struc-ture and fits 37 seats. Also featured, the Metro-City (already in the left-hand drive version), a 10.6-metre long low-entry bus with 13 tonnes gross vehicle weight and 27 seats on double rows plus wide wheelchair area with four fol-ding seats and raised driver’s workstation. The electric variant has a running range of 140 km, while the diesel version (on display) mounts a Mercedes engine with 156 or 176 hp and Alli-son automatic transmission controlled via the short lever on the dashboard below the left side window.Another debut came from Belgian company Van Hool: the EX series. Seen at the IAA preview in Hannover in September, it’s the new touring

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - November 2014

SETRA - TopClass / ComfortClass MERCEDES - Tourismo

OPTARE - MetroCity OPTARE - Solo SR Electric

litre OM 471 Mercedes-Benz engine (Euro VI) with eight-speed GO 250-8 PowerShift Merce-des gearbox, and by the 10.32-metre Tourismo in the ‘K’ version and 16 RHD of 12.1. Also sporting the Setra logo there were two represen-tatives of the TopClass series, the 13.98-metre long two levels S 431 DT with 510 hp OM 471 engine combined with GO eight-speed automa-tic transmission, and the S 517 HDH measuring 14.16 metres in length and 3.88 metres in hei-ght. The 12.3-metre ComfortClass S 515 HD model was also on display. The Iveco Bus stand also hosted an impressi-ve parade of vehicles. For the high-end touring segment there were a couple of Magelys in the sizes of 12.2 and 12.7 metres with Cursor 9 Euro VI engine with 400 hp combined, in the first case, with an As-tronic automatic transmis-

coach range that can also find application in intercity and regular service segments. On di-splay there was the EX 16M measuring 13.26 metres in length and 3.67 in height, equipped with a 394 hp Paccar/Daf MX11 engine with GO manual transmission. Representing the Van Hool brand there were also the already familiar double-decker models TX 17 Altano and TX 27 Astromega with 93 seats and 500 kg of luggage capacity. By far the most crowded exhibition space was Daimler’s, showcasing Mercedes and Setra mo-dels, featuring a giant screen displaying images from the blog “La Città dell’autobus” (The Bus City) and live interviews with people visiting the stand. The Mercedes range was represented by touring coach Travego 16 RHD, measuring 13 metres in length and powered by the 12,8

sion and, in the second, with a ZF manual tran-smission. The 12.2-metre Magelys was fitted with 55 seats plus guide, two LCD monitors, reverse camera and coffee maker. Suitable for a variety of solutions ranging from service line to tourism applications, there was the Cros-sway Pro with 400 hp Cursor 9 engine with Voith automatic transmission, 53 seated and 15 standing passenger capacity and equipped with a 38 kW air-conditioning system with integrated heating function. A compact size touring solu-tion, instead, was offered by the 7.5-metre New Daily Tourys, with 170 hp FIC.17 engine and 19 seats plus guide. Finally, intended for city services, there was the 12-metre Crossway LE City powered by a Tector 7 (285 hp) with ZF automatic transmission, room for 38 seated and 54 standing passengers and wheelchair area.

In Rimini, MAN celebrated the delivery of the new Neoplan Cityliner to the Baltur Group of Teramo and of the MAN Lion’s City GL CNG to ATB of Bergamo which purchased 11 such vehicles. The Cityliner is 12.24-metre long and fits 48+1+1 seats; it is powered by the MAN D2676 LOH 30 Euro VI engine (440-hp) combined with 12-speed MAN TipMatic gear-box. Equipment includes driver’s berth, toilet, power sockets for each two-seater, WiFi, DVD player with two monitors and antenna, multi-function leather steering-wheel. The 12-metre MAN Lion’s City CNG has three entrances and is CNG-powered by the six-cylinder MAN E-2876 LUH 07 with 310 hp and four 294 litres cylinders. It has a capacity of 27 seated plus 71 standing passengers (67 in the configuration with wheelchair area). To note that the articu-

IVECO BUS _ Megelys IVECO BUS - Crossway LE City VAN HOOL - EX IRIZAR

VDL Bus & Coach MAN - Neoplan Cityliner MAN - Lion’s City CNG VOLVO - 9900

transmission. It fits 73 passengers plus driver and guide.Volvo exhibited two touring vehicles: the three-axle 9900 and the two-axle 9700. The Swedish manufacturer drew the visitors’ atten-tion to the variety of solutions offered by Volvo Bus Services such as the optimal Volvo Bus Fleet Management, economical driving thanks to courses aimed at drivers and optimised main-tenance through services specifically developed for bus operators. In Rimini Irizar Italia presented a selection of the touring range with Scania drives starting with the New Century 12.35 HD with 410 hp engine, eight-speed Scania Optcruise transmission and 53 seats plus guide, moving to the unmistakable PB in the high-rise version, 12 metres in length, 50 passengers and 450 hp engine, and ending with the i6 of 12 and 14 metres. For the intercity service segment Irizar showcased the 12.2-me-tre i4 L with 320 hp engine and six-speed ZF

lated version of the CNG Lion’s Coach City recently won the award Bus of the Year 2015. At the forefront there was also the MAN RR2 Galileo, measuring 10.34 m in length and 3.68 m in height, with MAN D 2066 LOH 32 Euro VI engine with 400 hp. It’s a touring coach with 41+1+1 seats manufactured in collabora-tion with bodybuilder Barbi. On display also a 12-metre Lion’s Coach and a Neoplan Skyliner. Dutch group VDL Bus & Coach showcased its flagship products: the Futura and the Syner-gy. The first can come in the 12.9-metre long HD2 129/440 tourism version, fitting 53+1+1 seats and powered by a 440 hp DAF engine controlled by the As-tronic transmission or else in the FMD2 129/370 service line version with 57/53+16+1 seats configuration, wheelchair lift at the centre entrance with a large single door. The double-decker Synergy DSS 141/510 is 14.1-metre long and is powered by the DAF MX-13 375 engine with 510 hp ZF AS Tronic

Ecolife automatic transmission. Alongside the big names in the bus sector, the-re were also mini and midi buses bodybuilders. Tomassini Style, which this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary, unveiled the new low-flo-or city bus (lowered rear overhang) built on Mercedes Sprinter 519. Measuring 6.7 metres it accommodates 8 seated plus 18 standing pas-sengers and a wheelchair. It is driven by a 190 hp engine combined with 7G Tronic automatic transmission and with Telma retarder. The vehi-cle has a turning circle of 13,400 millimetres. Also built on a Sprinter 519, the 7.7-metre Exe-cutive with extended rear overhang and leather upholstery and the 7.3-metre school bus fitting 32 seats +1+1 for nursery, primary and secon-dary schools. New products also by Sitcar, like the Voyager on Iveco Daily, a model that takes the place of the historic Beluga. It is an 8-metre long vehicle with 27 seats plus guide and driver. Also new,

the 7.6-metre Trend L on Mercedes Sprinter 519 with a capacity of 16 or 19 seats. Also on Sprinter chassis, the 7.5-metre Spirit GT with 190 hp engine, open overhead luggage racks and velvet covered ceiling with matching tone with the Vogel seats, featuring leather headrests, air conditioning and heating coils on the floor. Intended for city services, the 7.7-metre City-Tour on Iveco Daily 70C17, double raw seats configuration (16 sitting and 26 standing pas-sengers), raised floor via three access stairs at the single front entrance and lowered floor at rear overhang with wheelchair area and manual floor ramp. Single-shell seats by Fainsa. NewCar came forward with the new Smile3 on Daily 70C17 chassis with a length of 7.85 me-tres and a capacity of 29 passengers plus guide and driver. Also, the 7-metre Ibis2, built on a Sprinter 519, and fitting 19+1+1 seats. D’Auria premiered the Élite on Iveco Eurocar-go chassis. It comes in the 8-metre size with

SITCAR - Voyager SITCAR - Trend L TOMASSINI - City TOMASSINI - Executive

D’AURIA - Grande Capri D’AURIA - Èlite NEW CAR - Smile 3 CAFASUD - Winner 2

33 seats. The 220 hp Iveco Tector engine is fit-ted across the front axle. It features plenty of luggage space thanks to the large luggage com-partment accessible from the three sides on the rear overhang and to the luggage compartments between the axles. Built on Sprinter chassis, the familiar 7.5-metre Capri with 19+1+1 configu-ration and folding-up last four-seater row, the Bursa with same size and passenger capacity and the Grande Capri on Sprinter stretched to 7.7 metres with 23 seats, 190 hp engine, also with rear luggage compartment accessible on three sides.The Centro Bus stand also featured a col-lection of fittings on Sprinter chassis with solutions created by bodywork in the Czech Republic: from touring model Tulliana, avai-lable in two lengths (7 and 7.34 m), to the Comfort Scuola with Lazzerini Brio seats mounted on rail, to the touring Pardus with

leather upholstery and leather trims even on the dashboard, up to the Comfort City with folding-forward seats in the last row to make room for the luggage compartment accessible via the double-flap rear door. Also on display the 13.2-metre Beulas Glory and the 7.5-metre Gianino, both on MAN chassis. In addition to the 13.2-metre Mythos. Also on Sprinter 519 the vehicle presented by Cafasud, the bodybuilder from Salerno. It has an extended rear overhang and is fitted with tourism equipment. Standard equipment in-cludes tinted panoramic side windows, trunks on both sides in addition to the rear luggage compartment, luggage racks with individual air-lights service-set, video equipment with 19-inch LCD monitors (retractable), 50-litre built-in fridge, Spheros/Diavia 14 BTU air conditioning.Indcar proposed a new product for Italy: the

Next L9 on MAN chassis with front engine and four-step spiral staircase entrance on the driver’s right side. Among other vehicles on display, the Mago2 on Iveco CC100, the Ci-tyos 4 small city bus (made by the French par-tner Vehixel) with double door on Iveco Daily 70C17 (also available in full electric version) and, on the same chassis, the Wing for touring applications.Two premiere models with the Isuzu logo: the new Cityport with low-floor and rear en-gine and the 7.3-metre Ultra with raised-floor for line services and with a capacity of 20 to 30 seats. Under the spotlight there was also the 9.5-metre Visigo fitting 35-40 seats, with rear engine, large luggage compartment in the centre and tourism equipment featuring open overhead racks. The Turquoise on exhibit still mounted a Euro V EEV engine. Coming from Germany, Steinborn tries to

commercialise in Italy minibuses manufac-tured by third parties in Turkey and Roma-nia. Two models on exhibit with Lord Light equipment respectively on Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter. Prices run at around 50,000 euro plus insurance on mechanical parts. Everything else should be managed di-rectly from Germany. Coming from Poland, on the other hand, CMS Auto is commercialised in Italy through a lo-cal agent based from a Mercedes dealership in Pordenone. Two tourism fittings on Sprinter with 19+1+1 seats. Also from Poland, Kapena came to Rimini with the Optimus, a single entrance vehicle measuring 8 metres with 28 seats powered by 170 hp F1CFL engine and the Moveo that, me-asuring almost 9 metres in length, can accom-modate up to 38 passengers. The engine power is 210 hp. Both are fitted in class II and III. •

ISUZU - Visigo ISUZU - Citiport INDCAR/VEHIXEL - Cityos 4 INDCAR - Next L9

BEULAS - Gianino CENTRO BUS - Comfort City KAPENA - Moveo CMS AUTO - Sprinter