BUSTOCOACH EUROPEAN ON-LINE MAGAZINE - January / February 2015

EUROPEAN ON-LINE MAGAZINE - January / February 2015

BusTo

Coach

ONE FOR ALL SOLARIS ELECTRIC - WIRELESS FOR SCANIA - IRIZAR i2e - VAN HOOL EX - CAR-BUS WOLTA - MERCEDES CAPACITY L - COLUMNS

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ON-LINE MAGAZINE linked www.bustocoach.com - Jan. / Febr. 2015

BusToCoachEuropean on-line magazine

Editor in chiefMarino Ginanneschi

[email protected]

Managing editor and International relations

Elena [email protected]

Photos and videos Marco Degano

[email protected]

ADV SPAZIO s.r.l.I 20129 Milano

Via G. Modena 6Tel. +39 02 7000 4031

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AdministrationTransport Web di Marco Degano & C Snc

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IRIZARi2e electric bus on trial

also in Madrid.

HIGH TECH STOREAzimut, Tom Tom,

Valeo, TG Composite.

COLUMNS

VAN HOOLNew Ex series

suitable for any use.

FLASH NEWSVDL, Setra, Scania, Volvo, BYD, Bluebus, Solaris, Meinfernbus.

SCANIAProject for wirelessly recharging hybrids.

SOLARISExtra-long size electric buses.

IN THE FOREGROUND

DIRECT LINK

ADSA new sell/buy

section.

MERCEDESCapaCity Euro VI

lengthened to 21 meters.

CAR BUSWolta electric bus built in

collaboration with Rampini.

USED BUS ON LINEOn www.bustocoach.com

websiteis on line the directory

dedicated to Used.

If you want to sell or buy a bus, here’s the right way.

You can make your insertion or search vehicles for sale.

***You can access through

the site, selecting the USED directory or going directly to

the linkwww.bustocoach.com/en/content/announcements

FUTURA FORPSV EINDHOVEN

P layers from PSV Eindhoven, a sport club from Eindho-ven, Netherlands, will travel on a VDL Futura FHD2-

139 coach. The vehicle has been delivered on January 15, 2015 to BBA Tours B.V./de Mol-Pelikaan which will pro-vide the transport for PSV for the coming five years. The three-axle coach with a length of 13.9 metres is equipped

with a kitchen at the back with all the comforts, 220 volt sockets at all the seating positions, VIP tables with USB connections. Players can also watch digital television on various LCD screens. The Futura team coach is fully decked out in PSV style. A light-hearted campaign on Facebook offered PSV supporters the chance to win a place for their name on the rear side of the coach. The response to symbolic support PSV each trip was overwhelming with over 6.000 reactions. This has resulted in 1,500 names of supporters mentioned on the rear side of the coach. •

SCANIA FOR MADRID’S CRTM

L uxembourg bus operator Voyages Emile Weber or-dered another three double articulated hybrid buses

of the type “lighTram”, built by the Swiss manufacturer Hess AG with the traction system by Vossloh Kiepe. The buses are 24 meters long and are equipped with lithium-iron phosphate traction batteries charged via a diesel generator, which is powered by a 220 kW Euro VI diesel engine. The kinetic energy, which emerges during braking, is stored temporarily by way of the two powered axles of the vehicle. Two electric traction motors, each with a power of 120 kW, drive two of the four axles. The vehicles can operate in the battery mode without the diesel engine in the about 3 km long zero-emission zone. Intelligent, GPS-controlled power management ensures the best possible balance between the diesel mode and the battery mode of the vehicles. •

HESS HYBRIDS IN LUXEMBURG

THE Swedish manufacturer Scania is delivering 42 buses to various companies of the Regional

Transport Consortium of Madrid (CRTM). Deliveries are scheduled between December 2014 and the beginning of 2015. The supplies are part of the modernization plan of the companies participating to the Consortium and include vehicles that meet the ecological requirements of CRTM, such as the 24 CNG Euro 6 buses in both Low Entry ver-sion (280 hp) and raised version (320 hp). With this series of deliveries Scania has established itself as a leading provider of CRTM. •

SETRA IN AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015 FLASH NEWS

THE S 431 DT double decker form the Setra TopClass 400 has been recently delivered for different use.

The German coach tour operator Stewa Touristik GmbH took de-livery of three Setra TopClass 400 buses with a bistro area on the lower deck that can cater for a total of 16 passengers in Setra

Voyage all-leather coach seats at four club tables. The upper deck offers comfortable accom-modation for 56 passengers. Another three Setra double-decker buses have been handed over by HEAG mobiBus based in Darmstadt, Germany. Used for the “AirLiner” high-speed bus service to Frankfurt Airport, the S 431 DT buses offer 75 comfortable seats and space for 17 standing passengers. Dirr Reisen GmbH has added three S 431 DT buses to their fleet. The vehicles have a capacity for 79 seats and will be used in future on long-distance routes operated in collaboration with Munich-based Flixbus GmbH. A special S 431 DT with higher roof has been ordered by Swedish bus operator Bergkvarabuss. •

VOLVO HYBRID ELECTRIC IN HAMBURG

THE new Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid started scheduled operation in Hamburg on December 18. The starting

shot for the innovative bus system coincided with the opening of the Innovation Route 109. The route will be used by the public transport company in Hamburg, the Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HOCHBAHN), to run comparative tests of innovative drive tech-nologies under the strict everyday conditions of scheduled services. The city of Hamburg has established the target: from 2020, only emission-free buses should be acquired by the city. Alongside three Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid buses, Volvo’s diesel hybrid buses in both 18 m articulated and 12 m versions will also be tested on the route, as well as battery fuel cell buses and fuel cell buses from other manufacturers. With the newest vehicles, the HOCHBAHN is expanding its rolling deve-lopment lab for modern drive technology to a total of about 65 vehicles. •

EURO VI SETRA DOUBLE DECKER

A.N.K. Tours AG from Muttenz near Ba-sel, Switzerland, took delivery of a

luxury Setra branded coach. It’s an S 516 HDH from the Setra TopClass 500 fitted out with 46 Voyage Plus leather/fabric seats, a lounge with table and the lar-ge Setra TopSky panoramic glass roof. The vehicle is

powered by an Euro VI OM 471 engine (350 kW). Also the Austrian bus operator Albus Salzkraft GmbH & Co. KG, added to its fleet a touring coach from the Setra TopClass 500 series. The three-axle vehicle is an S 517 HDH from the TopClass 500 series featured with 55 Setra Voyage Plus seats with leather top parts and the latest safety systems on board, like the adaptive cruise control with Emergency Braking Assist (ABA2), which also responds to stationary obstacles. Another S 517 HDH coach with 54 passenger seats has been delivered to k&k Busreisen GmbH from Hornstein, Austria, which also handed over an S 516 HD from Setra’s ComfortClass 500 series fitted out with 49 Setra Voyage Plus seats. •

SOLARIS TROLLEYBUS FOR BUDAPEST

B udapest City Transport (BKK) ordered 24 trolleybuses. The vehicles will be manufactured by Solaris Bus & Coach in

cooperation with the Czech producer Škoda Electric. The order includes 14 units of the 12-metre version and 10 articulated trol-leybuses, all to be delivered by the end of 2015. There ìs also an option for a further 84 trolleybuses on the same terms. Škoda will

deliver the trolleybus traction system and a battery set which make the vehicle able to operate away from overhead wires at least 4 kilometers. Each vehicle will be fitted with the Škoda BlueDrive system and electric motors delivering 160 kW in the 12-metre standard version and 250 kW in the articulated one. The trolleybuses s are completely low-floor, air-conditioned and equipped with a CCTV monitoring system, a reversing camera as standard, interior LED lighting and LED daytime driving lights. Solaris vehicles have been present in Hungary since 2002. So far, nearly ninety Solaris buses and trolleybuses have been running on Hungarian streets.•

BLUEBUS ELECTRIC BUSES IN ROME

THE supplier of pure electric buses BYD Auto Europe, is discussing areas of mutual co-

operation with Iran’s largest bus maker, AKIA ULTRA (1,500 buses a year of production capacity). Following meetings in Turkey with BYD senior management, the Chairman of AKIA ULTRA, Mazaher Naseri visited BYD’s HQ in Shenzhen China. «We believe there is tremendous potential for pure electric buses», commented Naseri. «Cities across the world share the need to improve air quality on their streets. We are convinced that BYD has a world leading battery technology and we are excited about the prospects for possible cooperation». The managing Director of BYD Auto Europe, Isbrand Ho, replied: «We are delighted with this development. We know we have outstanding technology with market leading range and durability. Trials in 42 European cities have demonstrated that. Now we are actively looking for partners and AKIA UTR maybe just one of a number we can work with, to anticipate the surging demands in the coming months». •

BYD AND AKIA COOPERATION

R ome tested the electric Bluebus produced by the French manufacturer Bolloré. Presented at the Tran-

sport Publics 2014 last June, it’s a low floor electric bus in a length of 5,44 metres and a capacity for 22 pas-sengers. The vehicle is featured with an electric motor (30 kW) and three packs of Bluesolutions polymer metal lithium batteries (90 kWh) positioned on the roof of the bus where, in the front dome, are also housed all the control electrical equipment. The autonomy of the bus stated by Bolloré is 120 km. The test of the five Bluebus in Rome started on December 8 and finished on January 15, 2015. •

SOLARIS ELECTRIC BUSES IN HANNOVERU nveiled at the IAA in Hannover last September, the

new Solaris Urbino was ordered just in Hannover by the üstra Hannover City Transport. The German bus operator commissioned the electric version of the new Solaris Urbino with three units equipped with a

fast charging system using a roof-mounted pantograph. Each charge takes only four to six minutes, enough for the bus to run until it reaches the next charging point. There is also a traditional 32 kW overnight charging device, which uses a plug connection installed in the bus. The new 12-metre Urbino electric for üstra is fitted with the ZF AVE 130 electric drive with axle-mounted motors. The three electric buses will arrive in Hannover by the end of 2015. üstra already runs 29 Solaris hybrid buses and holds options for a further 24 units. The city’s fleet also includes 52 diesel-powered Solaris Urbino 12. •

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015 FLASH NEWS

D ucos, Martinique. Here the local coach operator Transmor-ne is being deployed a new S 515 HD coach from the Se-

tra ComfortClass 500 series. The two-axle vehicle is available for circular tours, regular service routes as well as for airline companies. The 55 passengers on board the S 515 HD can

relax on Setra Voyage touring seats, make use of iPod and iPhone sockets and enjoy with the advanced audio and video system. The vehicle is fitted with Brake Assist, an electronic level control system and an on-board diagnostic system. Other equipment includes a tropical variant of the EvoCool Comfort Plus roof-mounted air-conditioning system with a cooling capacity of 39 kW, designed to combat the high temperatures and humidity which prevail throughout most of the year on the mountainous “flower island” which is located in the Lesser Antilles between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. •

MORE EUROPE FOR MEINFERNBUS

Germany’s market leader in long-distance coach travel MeinFernbus, increased the international routes in the

first nine months of 2014. Destinations in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Italy was added to the company’s route network so that now the European routes amount to ei-ght. Germany continues to be MeinFernbus’s core market. Every day, more than 300 coaches operate on 85 lines and connect 225 destinations. Furthermore, MeinFernbus started to build up a network of night coaches in 2014. There are currently eight MeinFernbus nightlines that take passengers “in their sleep” through Europe. This corresponds to a doubling of the services offered at the beginning of 2014. All MeinFernbus lines are operated in cooperation with more than 80 small and medium-sized bus companies from Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. These provide the coaches as well as the drivers while MeinFernbus in Berlin takes care of the planning and licensing of new lines, marketing, public relations, customer service, and fleet management. •

COMFORTCLASS 500 IN MARTINIQUE

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015

THE Polish manufacturer invests in the research and development

of innovative solutions for the enhancement of electric traction. An example of such an effort is the design of a 24-metre long pro-totype powered by elec-tric motors and charged with the use of an ex-ternal source of energy or through fuel cells mounted on the vehicle. Built in collaboration by the Universities of Technology in Warsaw and Poznan, the project has a budget of nearly 3 million euro and its im-plementation has been planned by November

2015. However, Solaris intends to extend the project for a further year.The bi-articulated electric bus is based on the new Urbino series unveiled for the first time at the IAA in Hannover in September 2014.

On another front, the first of two 18.75-metre Urbino electric buses equipped with hydro-gen fuel cells intended for Hochbahn transport company, based in Hamburg, is already on the road.The vehicle is equipped with 120 kWh batteries as the main energy source for the drive sy-stem. The batteries are recharged by Ballard

101 kW fuel cells during operation. The fuel cells are used only when 100% of output is required, thus significantly increasing their durability.The vehicle will be fuelled with hydrogen overnight in the depot. Battery charging cycles will be pre-programmed in order for the vehicle to be ready to cover 300 kilome-tres per day. •

Design phase for a bi-articulated, 24-metre electric bus based on the new Urbino series. Also by Solaris, the electric buses with hydrogen fuel cells for Hamburg

EXTRA-LONGELECTRICBY SOLARIS

FOR the first time in Sweden, Scania and the Stockholm based Royal

Institute of Technology (KTH) are planning to test a wirelessly char-ged electric-hybrid city bus in real-life operating conditions.The bus will be in opera-tion in Södertälje, a town in central Sweden, in June 2016 as part of a research project into sustainable vehicle technology.At one of the bus stops there will be a charging station where the vehi-cle will be able to refill enough energy for a com-plete journey. The entire process will take place wirelessly from the road surface in just 6-7 minutes.The Swedish Energy Agency will fund the project with 9.8 million Swedish Krona. Other partners include Södertälje Munici-pality, Stockholm County Council and Tom Tits, the technology museum for children and youth.

“The main purpose of the field test is to eva-luate the technology in real-life conditions,” says Nils-Gun- nar Vågstedt, Head of

Scania’s Hybrid System Development Departme-nt. “There is enormous potential in the switch from combustion engines to electrification. The field test in Södertälje is the first step towards entirely electrified roads where electric vehicles take up energy from the road sur-face.” Scania’s experts point out that with a fleet of 2,000 buses a city can save up to 50 million litres of fuel each year. This means that fuel costs would decrease by up to 90 percent. •

Scania will test an electric-hybrid city bus with wireless recharging battery system in real-life conditions, in Södertälje, Sweden, in June 2016

WIRELESSLYRECHARGINGHYBRID BUS

More articles about Solaris: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/428/articoli-costruttore-europa

More articles about Scania: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/516/articoli-costruttore-europa


After being tested on the streets of San Sebastian (Basque Country) and Barce-

lona, the Irizar i2e, the new electric bus by the Iberian manufacturer, also made its way to Madrid.The Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid (Ma-drid’s Munici-pal Transport C o m p a n y ) carried out a test as part of the European project ZeEUS (Zero Emis-sions Urban Solutions).The vehicle was put to the test in Ca-rabanchel, a high traffic area in the Spanish capital, on a 880-metre circuit with four stops. With a vehicle carring 1,200 kg (about 30% of the to-tal), the vehicle was operated during a twelve hours period over two consecutive days until the batteries run out.

"If the Irizar i2 was deployed on a regular line, it could travel more than 180 kilometres wi-thout recharging, which is approximately the equivalent of a 14-hour range,” said EMT’s

Ángel Cedenil-la. “With the-se conditions, the electric bus could be ope-rated in 80 or 90 lines of Ma-drid’s network.”The Irizar i2e is 12 metres long and has a transport capa-city of 76 pas-sengers, 24 of them seated.It is powered by a 230 kW electric motor and is equipped

with sodium-nickel batteries and a set of su-per condensers, providing a running range of 200-250 kilometres.The batteries are installed on the roof of the bus together with the super condensers for a weight of nearly three tons. •

New Irizar’s i2e electric bus also tested in the Spanish capital. The vehicle is 12 metres long and is equipped with sodium-nickel batteries and with super condensers

IRIZAR i2e ELECTRIC BUSIN MADRID

More articles about Irizar: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/487/articoli-costruttore-europa

INFORMATION IS ON THE NETwww.bustocoach.com/en

The “Vehicles” section in the website provides data sheets for all types of buses available on the market,

inclusive of photographs, as well as historical profiles and manufacturer’s details.

Equally comprehensive information can be found in the “Components” section.

There are also the Directories dedicated to the market of “Used buses”, including sale ads, professional sales agents across the Europe landscape and quotes for all

types of vehicle models.

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015 HIGH TECH STORE

S maller, lighter, with enhan-ced efficiency and no need

for oil change. These are the compressors by Valeo, a Fren-ch company with more than fifty years of experience in the manufacturing of compressors for the automotive and com-mercial vehicle industries. The TM43 and TM65 models have been presented at the 2014 IAA in Hannover. The TM65 is the world’s largest displacement compressor based on swash plates, Valeo’s response to the demands of the European market in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of packaging space of large air conditioning systems in buses. With the TM43 and its four innovative and flexible adapters, engineers are provided with a space-saving solution for city buses and touring coaches. Compared with a compressor of the same type, these models are about 50% smaller and lighter, reduce noise and vibration by up to 7% and have a lower number of parts by up to 40%, translating into fewer failure mode and increased reliability. The TM65 also delivers about 12% saving in fuel consumption generated by the compressor. •

A zimut Bus Solutions has developed the first

onboard entertainment sy-stem with live television, accessible from the custo-mer’s own tablet or smar-tphone. It connects directly with the browser and the-

refore it does not require any App. The passenger needs only to connect his/her smartphone, laptop or tablet and select the ‘free’ option from a huge variety of multimedia content. The passenger decides what to watch via a fully interactive menu from which it is possible to choose live TV, sport events, tele-vision series, documentaries, movies, music, radio, electronic books and magazines, photos and images, games, internet, newspapers, tourist information and route information, bu-siness presentations as well as other kinds of applications. Transport companies do not incur any charges for installation, wiring or seats modification since the only hardware required is the Azimut Smart box and an access point for an internal Wi-Fi inside network •

M obility Hackathon, the prize competition organi-

sed by Luiss EnLabs “The Star-tup Factory” and Codemotion, the European conference for

programmers and developers, took place in Rome, Decem-ber 12-14. The goal was to identify the best applications for quality public and private transport in the urban and regio-nal territory. It involved 137 participants, 23 projects and 36 hours of programme. Among the organising partners there was also TomTom Telematics that provided its Webfleet vehi-cles management platform’s API and SDK.Three winners. The first prize went to ‘Urbango’, a project who-se aim is to simplify the use of public transport with information about onboard passenger load by using geolocation and Beacon technology. Second prize for the iPusy app that monitors the number of passengers waiting for the vehicle via Bluetooth te-chnology. The third prize went to Pendoulus, the app featuring trains departure and arrival information boards on the smartpho-ne. Among the various special prizes, the TomTom Telematics award went to Pigo, an app that calculates the amount of calories burned to reach destination on foot or by bike. •

TG Composite, a brand of the TGS Group (Trading

Group System) based in Mantua, Italy, deals with the manufacturing of resins and composite materials. The com-pany fabricates reinforced polyester products and products made of fire retardant resins, assembly of compo-site products, assemblies and masks for assembly, specialized fiberglass painting. The methodologies used for the fabrication of materials range from hand lay-up, spray lay-up, RTM molding. In addition to the design and manufacture of models and molds, it also takes care of design/CAD processing.Fiberglass products have wide applications due to the me-chanical strength of fiberglass combined with light weight, resistance to most chemicals and weather conditions. Moreo-ver, fiberglass has a low thermal and electrical conductivity.TG Composite has an wide range of clients: from companies in the automotive industry, to manufacturers of buses, trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, to livestock facili-ties, to the field of road traffic, advertising and furniture, to name just a few. •

QUALITY APPS A.C. COMPRESSORS

FIBERGLASSINFOTAINMENT

COMPONENTS ON LINEFor a comprehensive list of Suppliers

of bus components in Italy and in Europe visit:

www.bustocoach.com/en

To search for individual company profi les visit:

http://www.bustocoach.com/en/content/suppliers-italy

http://www.bustocoach.com/en/content/suppliers-europe

Select products by category and read available components details:

http://www.bustocoach.com/en/content/components-italy

http://www.bustocoach.com/en/content/components-europe

D uring the first quarter 2015 it will be pos-sible to see Van Hool’s ‘EX’ coaches on

European roads. The EX is a brand new range of vehicles first unveiled last September at the IAA in Hanover.This range is offered at competitive prices for standard tourist transport but that, thanks to


its modular construction, can also be used for intercity transport and other types of services.The EX range comprises two and three-axle models and will initially be produced in two heights (3.8 and 3.67 metres) and three len-gths (12.48, 13.26 and 14.22 metres).The vehicles feature sober yet elegant lines.

Van Hool launches the EX range. Initially available in two heights and three lengths with Daf Euro VI engine. The vehicles have been fully designed in Belgium and are manufactured in the Van Hool factory in Skopje, Macedonia

HERE COMES THE EX

Lenght mm 12,480 13,260 14,220 Width mm 2,550 2,550 2,550 Height with AC mm 3,805 3,675 3,805 Wheelbase mm 6,010 6,790 6,700+1,300 Front Overhang mm 2,890 2,890 2,890 Rear Overhang mm 3,580 3,580 3,330 Fuel Tank litres 500 400 500 AdBlue Tank litres 64 64 64 Seats max 55+1+1 59+1+1 65+1+1 Engine DAF MX 11 DAF MX 11 DAF MX 11 Displacement cc 10,800 10,800 10,800 Power kW/rpm 290 / 1,700 290 / 1,700 320 / 1,700 Gearbox GO 210-6 GO 210-6 GO 210-6

DIMENSIONS EX 15 H EX 16 M EX 17 H

Vertical rear lights with LED bulbs provide a distinctive appearance.The interior is conceived in a modular way and therefore it can be customised according to use: from scheduled services with satellite navigation system, electronic card payment machines and wheelchairs area, to school transport and day trips, to tourist coach equi-

pment for trips lasting several days.They fit Kiel Avance 2010 coach seats with cloth upholstery (with synthetic leather headrest) and with armrest on the aisle side. Each

two-seater is equipped with individual readi-ng lights and air vents. Room for hand lug-gage is provided by the open overhead racks.Dimmable LED interior lights provide opti-mum lighting in all situations. The air con-ditioning system, controlled in three zones, allows for a pleasant and uniform interior temperature. The Sütrak air-conditioning unit

is roof-mounted.Interior equipment include a 19-inch monitor at the front (a second monitor comes as optio-nal), manually operated roofhatches, guide’s lighting and loudspeaker.The driver’s area had been thoroughly rethou-ght with no compromises in terms of driver’s comfort and safety. The front section of the vehicle is 10 centimetres longer, providing extra space for the driver and for passengers as well.A new modular dashboard has been designed with extra attention paid to ergonomics and

to storage space for the driver’s benefit.The driver’s seat is the Isri NTS2 with integral microphone. Exterior mirrors provide full view in front of and to the side of the vehicle, without blind spots.The seat for the guide has been fitted with a practical work tablet equipped with plug-in facilities for electronic devices.EX range models are optionally available with a wide central door

equipped for wheelchair cassette lift, toilet, sleep cab for the driver, on-board kitchens and fridges.In addition to ABS and ESC, the array of safety systems also includes EBS3 and FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) on the rear axle.The vehicles are equipped with 10.8-litre Pac-car/DAF engine that meet Euro VI standard with the use of AdBlue. The 12.48 metres long EX15H and the 13.26 metre EX16M mount the DAF MX 11 with 290 kW at 1,700 rpm. The three-axles version EX17H instead is powered by the MX 11 with 320 kW at 1,700 rpm. The gearbox is the Mercedes GO 210-6. ZF Astronic and ZF Ecolife are avai-lable as options.The EX range has been fully designed and developed in Belgium at the headquarters in Koningshooikt while production, which started in the fourth quarter 2014, takes place in the Van Hool factory in Skopje, Macedonia, that has now been operational for more than a year.The sales and after-sales service will be ma-naged from Koningshooikt. • More articles about Van Hool: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/528/articoli-costruttore-europa


Italian-Spanish partnership between Car-Bus.net and Rampini generates elegant, battery powered, 22-seat vehicle suitable for transport in historic city centres

100% ELECTRICMICROBUS

Lenght mm 6,000 Width mm 2,095 Height mm 2,950 Wheelbase mm 3,700 Front Overhang mm 1,180 Rear Overhang mm 1,120 Total weight kg 7,000 Seats n. 11+11+1C+1 Density battery kWh 54, 68 or 100 Electric motor kW/Nm 67 / 160

DIMENSIONS WOLTA

A viable alternative to conventional buses is now available for urban transport

and, in particular, for transport in historic city centres where compact dimensions and low emission buses are required. We are talking about the Wolta model presented by Spanish company Car-Bus.net, based in Manresa (Bar-celona), during the latest edition of the Fiaa fair in Madrid.The vehicle, that is only six metres long and 2.1 metres wide, makes use of a fully electric powertrain and can transport up to 22 pas-sengers (half of which are seated) plus one wheelchair in the dedicated area behind the driver’s seat, accessible from the floor ramp

on the lateral outward opening single-leaf pivot door. It features a full length low flo-or with two stairs at the rear to access the four seats located under the rear window and another two stairs at the front to access the driver’s compartment with raised floor.In order to produce this fully electric micro-bus, the Spanish bodybuilder collaborated with Italian company Rampini regarding ove-rall design and electrical equipment.To note that Rampini brings its experience in this segment gained from its own electric bus: the 7.7-metre long Alè for over two years already operational in Vienna (12 vehicles) as well as in Nice and Hamburg. Furthermore, Rampini will market the Wolta in Italy and in other European countries.

Rampini provided the entire drive system, in-cluding the active balancing system and bat-teries management system (BMS), the onbo-

ard cells heating system and the reduction gear-box integrated into the rear axle (the front axle is by ZF).The vehicle is driven by a Sie-mens electric mo-tor with 67 kW rated power and

200 Nm of maximum torque.The Winston Battery pack consists of 105 cel-ls LiFePO4 and is available with 54, 68 or 100 kWh capacity and can be recharged in about an hour (with fast charging system). The TeQ Multiplex electrical system communicates di-rectly with the batteries and the drive system to optimise the overall bus operation.The exterior look is very pleasing, with con-tinuous glazing from the windshield to the side window, with roof coverings to hide the batteries and round headlights located insi-de the two cornering light units that can be opened. The entire front section can also be opened. •


LONGER CAPACITY Lenght mm 20,995

Width mm 2,550 Height with A.C. mm 3,120 Wheelbase mm 5,900+7,260+1,600 Front Overhang mm 2,805 Rear Overhang mm 3,430 Turning circle mm 24,466 Total weight kg 32,000 Seats n. 45+146+1 Engine OM 470 Displacement cc 10,700 Power kW (hp) 265 (360) / 290 (394) Max. torque Nm 1,700 / 1,900 Automatic gearbox ZF / Voith

DIMENSIONS CAPACITY L

high frequency bus routes and BRT systems (Bus Rapid Transit).Unlike the previous CapaCity Euro V version, the new CapaCity takes on the ‘L’ name and

THE new CapaCity comes out in the open. Presented to the internatio-

nal press at the beginning of last December, it will soon enter into service for transport ope-rator Hamburger Hochbahn for a two weeks trial period under real operating conditions. As is Mercedes-Benz’s standard procedure when developing new projects, the CapaCi-ty underwent a series extensive and practical

21 metres in length and space for up to 191 passengers. These are the figures of the new CapaCity L for high-

capacity transport services. Lots of technology tests, including winter testing in Scandinavia.The new CapaCity immediately comes across for its features aimed at responding to the needs for increased transport capacity, both in

has grown further at 21 metres (1.5 m longer than its predecessor) for a total capacity of 191 passengers (five more), 45 of which are seated. In due course, Mercedes-Benz plans to develop also a compact version that will measure 19.7 metres. In the meantime one can rely on the 18.1-metre Citaro G articulated bus (163 passengers).The 21 metres of the CapaCity L have been achieved mainly by lengthening the distance between the second and third axles (1,270 mm longer). The remaining of the framework structure is based on the Citaro G, keeping the same measures for the first module wheel-base, the front and rear overhangs and the height. The modular structure was obviously integrated with new reinforcement parameters that compensate for the higher stress due to the increased length, the fourth axle and the greater permissible GVW (32 t).Despite the imposing length, the CapaCity L is amazingly manoeuvrable, thanks to the tur-ning circle of 24.47 metres and the minimum turning track within the turning circle of only 7.1 m, previously 7.48 m. Swing-out value, that determines how far the rear end swings

out when the steering wheel is turned to its full extent, has been reduced to 1.49 metre instead of the previous length of 1.64 metre.When pulling away from bus stops the stee-ring system for the fourth axle prevents the wheel from touching the kerb and the rear end from swinging out.To note that for the new CapaCity L the new steered trailing axle now features individual

wheel suspen-sion and ASA ( A d d i t i o -nal Steering Axle) elec-tro-hydraulic steering con-trol system. B a s e d o n driving pa-rameters, the system calcu-

lates the required steering angle for the trai-ling axle and if it differs from the actual stee-ring angle it intervenes automatically through a servo cylinder. Similarly, at driving speeds of over 40 km/h the steering of the trailing axle is automatically centred.Other key features of the CapaCity L are its articulation joint with a maximum angle of 54.5 degrees and the ATC (Articulation Turn-table Controller) anti-jackknifing system.Developed by Mercedes-Benz, ATC is a dynamic control system that regulates the hydraulic damping of the joint quickly and according to need, as a function of factors such as steering angle, articulation angle, speed and load.In addition to optimising turn in ability and steering effort, the ATC system reduces the tendency to understeer (thus minimising tyre wear) and stabilises the vehicle very quickly, also during critical situations (such as slip-

pery road conditions), therefore avoiding see-sawing of the rear section. The precondition for the functioning of the ATC system and of the other safety systems is the new B2E electronic platform (Bus Elec-tronic/Electric Architecture), currently being introduced on all models in the Citaro family.The new electronics architecture features a modified instrument panel with a new mul-tifunction steering wheel and steering co-lumn levers, new instruments with display, modified control buttons and a new control unit for the heating, ventilation and climate control systems, taken from touring coach models.The power system of the CapaCity L makes use of the same proven drive components of the Citaro G: the OM 470 Euro VI engine in two output categories of 265 kW (360 hp) and 290 kW (394 hp), combined with ZF or Voith automatic transmission. • More articles about Mercedes-Benz: www.bustocoach.com/en/node/473/articoli-costruttore-europa

USED BUSES FOR SALEIRIZAR - New Century HDHVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: 2008km 851,150Price Vat Excluded: 85,000 euroLenght: 12.85 metresSeats: 53+1+1Engine: Scania, Euro IV, 469 cvGearbox: Scania Opticruise

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Toilette, Driver’s rest area, Vacuum Cleaners.Seller: VDL Italy, Spilamberto (MO).Tel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015 ADS

MERCEDES - SprinterVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: March 2008km 360,000Price Vat Excluded: 45,000 euroLenght: 7.4 metresSeats: 19+1Engine: Mercedes Euro IV, 184 cvGearbox: manual 6 speed

Accessories: A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor.Seller: Masciulli Viaggi Srl, Bucchianico (CH), ItalyTel: +39 0871 382 259 / +39 335 6370 806 E-mail: [email protected]

INDCAR - Mago 2Vehicle Class: Class IIIYear: May 2008km 380,000Price Vat Excluded: 70,000 euroLenght: 8.85 metresSeats: 29+1+1Engine: Iveco Euro IV, 218 cvGearbox: manual 6 speed

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor.

Seller: Masciulli Viaggi Srl, Bucchianico (CH), ItalyTel: +39 0871 382 259 / +39 335 6370 806 E-mail: [email protected]

VOLVO - 9700Vehicle Class: Class IIIYear: April 2006km 649,000Price Vat Excluded: 75,000 euroLenght: 12.2 metresSeats: 53+1+1Engine: Volvo, Euro V with Fap, 420 cvGearbox: automated Volvo I-shift

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Toilette (removable), Driver’s rest areaSeller: Masciulli Viaggi Srl, Bucchianico (CH), ItalyTel: +39 0871 382 259 / +39 335 6370 806 E-mail: [email protected]

IRISBUS - New Domino HDHVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: July 2008km 457,000Price Vat Excluded: 105,000 euroLenght: 12.4 metriSeats: 55+1+1Engine: Iveco Euro V, 450 cvGearbox: ZF As-tronic

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Toilette. Seller: Masciulli Viaggi Srl, Bucchianico (CH), ItalyTel: +39 0871 382 259 / +39 335 6370 806 E-mail: [email protected]

SETRA - S 315 HDHVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: May 1998km 1,414,000Price Vat Excluded: 35,000 euroLenght: 12 metresSeats: 51+1Engine: Mercedes Euro II, 381 cvGearbox: manual, 4+4 speed

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Toilette, Extra fridge, leather headrests.Seller: VDL Italy, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

USED BUSES FOR SALE BusToCoach on-line Magazine - January / February 2015 ADS

SETRA - S 315 HDVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: February 1998km 1,141,000Price Vat Excluded: 30,000 euroLenght: 12 metresSeats: 56+1Engine: Mercedes Euro II, 381 cvGearbox: manual, 4+4 speed

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Toilette, Vehicle completely covered by red sticker.Seller: VDL Italia, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

BEULAS - MidstarVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: 2007km 396,000Price Vat Excluded: 55,000 euroLenght: 8.8 metresSeats: 37+1+1Engine: MAN Euro III, 220 cvGearbox: Manual 6+1

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor, Coffee machine.Seller: VDL Italia, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

TOMASSINI - Mercedes 816Vehicle Class: Class IIIYear: 2007km 204,720Price Vat Excluded: 42,000 euroLenght: 7.75 metresSeats: 28+1+1Engine: Mercedes Euro IV, 156 cvGearbox: Manual 6+1

Accessories: Retarder, A.C, Audio system.

Seller: VDL Italia, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

More Used buses to sell: www.bustocoach.com/en/content/announce-

VDL - Futura FHD 127-365Vehicle Class: Class IIIYear: 2009km 881,2500Price Vat Excluded: 83,000 euroLenght: 12.7 metresSeats: 59+1+1Engine: Daf, Euro V, 362 cvGearbox: ZF As-tronic

Accessories: Retarder, A.C., Audio-video, Refrigeretor.Seller: VDL Italia, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

IVECO - DailyVehicle Class: Class IIIYear: 2005km 435,100Price Vat Excluded: 16,000 euroLenght: 7 metresSeats: 19+1Engine: Iveco, Euro III, 146 cvGearbox: Manual 6+1

Accessories: Retarder, A.C, Audio system.Seller: VDL Italia, Spilamberto (MO), ItalyTel: +39 059 78 29 31 E-mail: [email protected]

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BUSTOCOACH EUROPEAN ON-LINE MAGAZINE - January / February 2015

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