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Launched fifty years ago this year, Neoplan’s Cityliner has demonstrated that in these times, it is still just as relevant to the European market today as it was in 1971. The latest design has been announced as the International Coach of the Year 2022, after an evaluation of this year’s contenders by the expert trade journalist panel that make up the International Bus & Coach of the Year Jury.
Commenting on presenting the trophy, Tom Terjesen, President of the Jury said: “The platinum edition of the Neoplan Cityliner impressed us with its economical yet powerful and dynamic driver operation characteristics.”
He added: “The design was certainly one of many points that made it clear to us that the Neoplan Cityliner was fully deserving of the ‘Coach of the Year’ award.”
Designed by Bob Lee, the original N116 Cityliner was innovative in being an over-decker designed for touring. It had seats above the driver, forward sloping window pillars and a huge luggage capacity – a package that made it an immediate and continuing success, with over 8,500 examples sold to date.
Van Hool & Cronins - Ready with new EX Coach Family for 2022
Coach manufacturer expands BEV offerings in US market
Belgian manufacturer Van Hool will celebrate 75 years in business in 2022 with the launch of the new EX 11 in right-hand drive form. Van Hool is represented in Ireland by Cronin’s of Cork and the arrival of the EX 11 here in October completes the EX family of coaches for right-hand drive markets.
Van Hool Executives Erik Olijslagers, Bram Steenackers and Johan Moorgat visited Ireland during November to visit customers and to demonstrate the quality of the new 10.6 metre, 40-seater high liner passenger transport vehicle. (The next edition of Fleet Bus & Coach will feature our test drive report if the EX 11). Meanwhile Van Hool has become the first bus and coach manufacturer in the world to build a 100% battery electric double-deck coach: the TDX25E. This new zero-emission vehicle provides space for 69 passengers (18 on the lower deck and 51 on the upper deck) and has a range of up to 500 km, depending on the climatological conditions and the route’s topography. The TDX25E is destined for the USA market, where it will be used for employee commutes as well as regular passenger transport. Exactly a year ago Van Hool shipped its first 100% battery electric coach, the CX45E, to North America. With 22 units sold, the company is once again demonstrating its innovative capabilities based on its vast experience in electrical drive systems. Over the past few decades Van Hool has built more than 1,200 vehicles with an electrical drive system, including hydrogen, trolley, battery and hybrid powertrains. Both the CX45E and the brand new TDX25E use electrical components, including a Siemens power train and Proterra batteries. “American customers reacted very enthusiastically to the driving experiences with our first battery electric coach, the CX45E. This prompted us to quickly set to work on developing a battery electric double-deck, which has a higher passenger capacity. Our experience with electrical drive systems in the past, and recently with the CX45E, really helped us with the rapid development and comprehensive testing of the newest Van Hool double-deck, the TDX25E,” explained Filip Van Hool, CEO at Van Hool. “We’ve been producing double-deck coaches since 1982. Twenty-five years later, in 2007, we shipped the first double-decks to the US. And now, 15 years later, we are launching the first 100% battery electric double-deck coach on the US market. This is a second home market for Van Hool, nowhere else in the world is the demand for our double-deck coaches higher than in the USA. Globally, Van Hool has sold more than 3,500 units in 19 different countries,” added Filip. “The partnership between Van Hool and its distributor on the North American market, ABC Bus Companies, Inc. began 34 years ago. After all these years of hard work, together we have managed to put Van Hool on the map in North America. Today there are more than 11,000 Van Hool coaches and buses on North American roads serving many customers, including a number of large Silicon Valley companies who organise shuttles for their employees. Due to demand from several customers for fully electrically driven vehicles, we at Van Hool looked for a solution,” he concluded.
Iveco Bus President Launches a new strategy for the Bus market
Iveco is a well-known and highly regarded bus producer in Ireland. Even though the Italian manufacturer has an extensive range of factory built integral buses and coaches, so far many models have not been offered in RHD (right hand drive) form. In Ireland, a number of importers and body builders have carried out their own coachworks on the Iveco Daily chassis and drivetrain, which have proved popular for operators.
At a trade press event in Milan at the beginning of November, newly appointed Brand Leader at Iveco Bus, Stephane Espinasse, outlined some of the company’s plans for the future
Domenica Nucera, President of the Bus Business Unit, stated at the opening of the event: “We are moving towards a new business model: from selling a product to selling a service. The key to achieving this shift is a well-organised flow of information. Connectivity and digitalisation are today key.”
Stephane Espinasse added: “Sustainability is the main trend in the transportation industry and will remain so in the foreseeable future. The entry into force of the clean vehicle directive and the Low Emission Zones issues in many cities mean that PTOs need affordable solutions, financially and environmentally. Today Iveco Bus has 8,000 natural gas vehicles in operations across Europe. The trend toward gas bus deployment in Europe remains strong. In the first half of 2021, 10 percent of intercity buses sold in Europe were gas-powered. The share grows to 48 per cent in France. And what about e-mobility? In the portfolio there are the Crealis In-motion-charging and the E-Way range (marketed under Heuliez Bus brand in France). We offer e-mobility solutions in 7 European countries, we produced 500 units and we have in 2021 a share of 12% in the European electric bus market.”
Natural gas is particularly attractive in terms of meeting environmental challenges: air quality, climate protection and reduced silence in operation. This alternative fuel source is 100% compatible with gas recovered from organic waste. Iveco Bus natural gas buses and minibuses help preserve natural resources as the fine particle level is almost zero and NOx is reduced by more than a third. This environmental benefit results in a reduction in greenhouse gases of up to 95% and noise levels are halved, providing exceptionally quiet operation for drivers, passengers and residents alike. With around 8,000 Gas vehicles on the roads today across Europe, contributing to a cleaner transport sector, IVECO BUS is the undisputed leader of this market, accounting for one out of every three gas vehicles sold.
the daily raNGe: iveCo Bus expertise exteNded to MiNiBuses
The Daily minibus is the perfect complement to the full size buses, making Iveco Bus unique among the full Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The Daily minibus Model Year 2022 offers more comfort and safety on board, with a focus on flexibility
as well as a substantial total cost of ownership reduction. A constant search for improvement makes this minibus the best in its category.
A unique engine line-up delivers performance and sustainability for every task. It is now available with diesel power ratings of 180 and 210 hp as well as a 136 hp Natural Gas version. This CNG version helps to preserve natural resources, as it is fully compatible with bio-methane.
The Daily minibus offers the choice of two transmissions, following the introduction of a new 6-speed manual gearbox alongside the highly acclaimed 8-speed Hi-Matic auto box.
Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
