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&coach bus2013 BUS OF THE YEAR - NEW CITARO INSIDE!
media group
Optare CityBuses head Down UnderBritish Lions
www.truckandbus.net.au Issue 9 $6.60 incl. GST
BCI FACTORY OPERATOR TOUR - AUSSIE KNOW-HOW THAT’S MADE IN CHINAVOLVO PLUG-IN HYBRID - LANDMARK EUROPEAN TRIAL BEGINSVOLGREN DEBUT - WEST OZ GETS NEW ROUTE BUS FIRSTTRANSIT SYSTEMS - AUSSIE CEO TALKS UK EXPANSION AND MORE
Britannia!Rule
Want technical innovation and superlative bus design? Optare’s got it in spades - and it’s coming to ‘a theatre near you’ in Australia later this year. The UK bus builder earned the prestigious Innovation Award by the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in 2012, pipping the likes of Jaguar and Infiniti no less. Geoff Paradise visited the Leeds-based company to file this exclusive story.
Cover Story
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• Tempo SR (main picture) and its smaller sibling the Solo SR are modular in their construc-tion. Varying lengths and seating capacities will be available here.
OPTAre CITy BUSeS InvAde Oz SOOn!
SCOOP!
Fact: British-made Optare buses will
go on sale in Australia later this year!
With no fewer than seven city bus
models to arrive, the first will be on
display as early as 25-26 September at the
2013 Australian Bus + Coach Show, Sydney
Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
The bus range for Australia comprises four
mid-size city buses. The Solo SR has lengths
of 7.0m, 7.8m, 9.0m and 9.8m with seating
capacities of 23, 27, 33 and 37, respectively.
The 7.0m Solo is 2.3m wide; all others in the
range are 2.5m wide.
The larger Tempo SR will be available
in 10.5m, 11.8m and 12.5m with seating
capacities of 39, 43 and 47, respectively.
All of the buses will meet ADR requirements
and will have single and mid-door options.
The Solo SR bus comes with ECE R66
compliance for rollover protection and the
12.5m Tempo SR has a tare weight from
10,000kg. The smaller Solo buses’ tare weights
start from 6000kg.
A variety of seats from leading seat
manufacturers are available with or without
seatbelts, headrests, armrests, seat trims and
seat-back options are available including a
range of colours and fabrics.
By the standards of Alexander Dennis and
Wrightbus, Optare can be considered a minor
player in the bus business, but this gives them
the relative ‘under the radar’ advantage to build
a very good bit of kit.
Coach & Bus magazine visited Optare
recently and was given exclusive and unfettered
access to the factory, its senior executives and
engineering team, including sitting in on closed
production meetings for the secretive Australian
models - a privilege rarely afforded to any
magazine or publication, anywhere.
Optare buses’ fit and finish is second to
none. Modular in construction, they are able
to accommodate customers’ requirements for
a range of stylish interior trim combinations
ranging from cloth to leather; a variety of
different floor cover combinations; and can be
custom painted to customers’ requirements.
The Optare design is refreshingly different
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to what is currently available in Australasia.
While buses are usually nothing more than long
rectangular boxes, Optare’s design team has
pushed the envelope front and rear with both
the Tempo SR and the Solo SR to deliver a bus
that is distinctly 21st century in its look.
The Tempo SR, more so than the Solo
SR, features a deep windscreen further
accentuated by a the low-slung swage line that
begins at the A-pillars and dips lower than the
trio of halogen headlights at each front corner
of the body.
This is an optical illusion, of course, as the
front fascia actually is square finished but
the gloss-black panel that carries the name
‘Optare’ is part of that panel.
The side glass creates a true glasshouse
effect with the side windows bonded in place
and equal-length ventilation windows along
the top.
Inside the bus, the huge glass area creates
a genuine open-plan cabin and, in the Tempo
SRs we inspected, the trim selected by the
operators further enhanced the sense of space.
It is no wonder the Tempo SR was awarded a
Queens Award for Design.
Super SuperstructureThe Tempo SR and the Solo SR are both built
in a modular fashion. Unlike all other buses
on today’s market there is no ladder-frame
chassis, but instead a hand-built ‘cage’ that is
monocoque in its final form.
This construction of the ‘cage’ is outsourced
to a specialist fabrication shop, Sherburn
Metalwork, conveniently located around
the corner from Optare and is made of a
combination of high-grade carbon steel and -
where in the case of secondary load bearing
areas - stainless steel is used. When completed
the frame undergoes a complete anti-corrosion
treatment plus an injected wax process for
sealed or closed sections of the frame. It has
a 10-year guarantee against corrosion and a
25-year design life.
Once completed the superstructure is
transported to Optare, where construction of
the bus begins.
Once skinned and with end caps in place this bus is ready for the paint shop.
Aluminium panels are fitted by way of an extruded top strip and then secured with
quick-release fasteners along the bottom. Painted and ready for final fit-out. Colourful for sure!
Monocoque in design the end result
is a solid yet lightweight combined chassis and frame.
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As is shown in the pictures here, the chassis
and body superstructure is one complete unit
with the front suspension and axle assembly
installed complete and the rear similarly.
Further setting the Tempo SR and Solo SR
apart is the unique method of engine and
gearbox installation.
Rather than fit them individually they are
installed in a dedicated cradle assembly
and then, get this, that cradle with engine is
installed into the bus! This not only makes
for a hassle-free installation during the build
process, but the cradle’s relatively simple
removal makes servicing an easier, safer
and more efficient process than it would be
by having mechanics work in confined and
difficult spaces if the drivetrain was to remain
in situ.
Power TrainsOptare has selected wisely with the choice of
drive assemblies in each of their products.
Both the Solo SR and the Tempo SR use
either a Mercedes-Benz or Cummins engine,
depending on the length of the bus.
Being the larger of the two, the Tempo SR
has a 6.37-litre M-B OM906LA six-cylinder
rated at 210kW at 2200rpm and 1120Nm
between 1200 and 1600rpm. It meets Euro 5
and uses SCR to do so.
In Tempo SR’s of 10.5, 11.8 and 12.5 metres
customers can opt for the 8.9-litre Cummins
ISL rated at 240kW and 1450Nm.
The Allison T310R five-speed automatic with
an integral retarder and an electronic interface
with a lock-up torque convertor in gears 3,
4 and 5 also has what Allison call ‘RELS’,
reduced engine load at stop, for improved fuel
economy is available across the range.
A ZF transmission, the ZF6HP500 six-speed,
is also offered as an option.
The Tempo SR comes equipped with a
220-litre fuel tank and a 21-litre AdBlue tank.
The electrical system is 24-volt comprising a
pair of 12-volt, 135-amp batteries.
The Solo SR uses a 4.25-litre, four-cylinder
turbocharged M-B engine, the OM904LA, in
buses of 7m and 7.8m and it too meets Euro 5
by way of selective catalytic reduction.
Rated at 115kW at 2200rpm and 610Nm at
1200rpm it also relies on an Allison 2100 Series
transmission. The Solo SR is also available
with the 6.7-litre Cummins ISBe, six-cylinder
turbo diesel rated at 150kW and 750Nm in the
9m and 9.9m models.. Again, engine choice for
Australia is up to the customer.
With an engine and transmission combination
of such high pedigree you can safely conclude
the front and rear axles, suspension and
braking system are of the same standard.
For Solo SR the front axle comes from Albion
and uses two airbags with taper leaf springs.
The rear end is an Albion single-reduction
hypoid equipped with 4.10:1 gears on a four-
bag air suspension and parallel linkage.
The disc brake system is an ABS-equipped
Wabco PAN17 dual-circuit set-up with a
heated element air dryer.
The Tempo SR uses an MAN drop centre
beam while the rear is a Meritor single-
reduction hypoid with a 5.29:1 gear set. Like
the Solo SR it uses a dual-circuit disc braking
system, ABS and air dryer.
Body BeautifulThe outer skin of the Tempo SR and Solo SR is a
combination of aluminium side panels and high-
grade GRP three-piece front and rear end caps,
which allow for easy replacement when required.
The lightweight and non-corrosive aluminium
side panels are fixed by way of a slotted
extrusion along the top edge and then fixed
along the bottom edge with quick-release
fasteners. Simple in theory, it is an incredibly
efficient method both for the initial construction
and for the replacement of damaged sections,
which should elate operators.
The Inside StoryThe interior, like the exterior design
and construction, is one of simplicity
and practicality. All side trim panels are
manufactured from hard-wearing and
resilient ABS thermoplastic and extend from
the base of the windows to the floor. Rather
than finish at a right angle and thereby create
a 90-degree corner, however, the moulding
is curved - allowing for liquids to be carried
away from the wall/floor, making cleaning
easy and also eliminating seepage from
liquids into the superstructure.
When it comes to the interior design,
layout, fabrics and colours it is entirely up to
the customer. From basic materials to jazzy
colours, cloth and leather can be ordered to
fit with your fleet or requirements. We saw
vivid greens, mauves combined with yellow
grab handles and posts (not to our liking!)
along with subtle and classy reds, blues and
other pastel colours.
The result of the English and European
penchant for showing creativity with colour
combinations were interiors that were
inviting, calming and fun to be in. And you
can’t say that about most city buses in this
country!
SOLO Sr SPeCS
MODEL: Optare Solo SREnginES: Mercedes-Benz OM904LA Euro 5, Cummins iSB 6.7L, M-B Power: 95kW/115kW*, M-B Torque: 500nm/610nm* * power variation dependent on bus length, iSB Power: 150kW, iSB Torque: 750nmTRAnSMiSSiOn: Allison 2100 series, five-speed, full CAn interface, lock-up TC in gears 3/4/5.RETARDER: Electro-magnetic with pulse width modulation (PWM), CAn Bus interface with Multiplexed control.FUEL: 200 Litres, 20L SCR tankSUSPEnSiOn: Front: Albion axle, two airbag, taper leaf, Rear: Albion single reduction hypoid, 4.10:1WHEELS: 17.5x6.75-inch x 134mm off-setTyRES: 215/75RSTEERing: ZF 8090 with integral power assist, adjustable steering columnBRAKES: Wabco PAn17 dual circuit, ABS, air dryerELECTRiCS: Twin 12V, 135ah batteriesLigHTing: LED and halogenCOMPLiAnCE: ADR, ECE-STA and DDALEngTH: 7.2m, 7.9m, 9.0m, 9.7mMAx SEATing: 23, 27, 33, 37
TeMPO Sr SPeCS
MODEL: Optare Tempo SREnginE: Mercedes-Benz OM906LA, Cummins iSL 9-liter, M-B Power: 210kW, M-B Torque: 1120nm, iSL Power: 240kW, iSL Torque: 1450nmTRAnSMiSSiOn: Allison T310R, five-speed, lock-up TC in gears 3/4/5.FUEL: 220 litres, 21L SCR tankSUSPEnSiOn: Front: MAn drop centre axle Rear: Meritor single reduction hypoid, 5.29:1WHEELS: 22.5x8.25-inch, 10-studTyRES: 275/70RSTEERing: ZF 8098 with integral power assist, adjustable tilt/reach steering columnBRAKES: Dual circuit discs, ABS, air dryerELECTRiCS: Multiplex, twin 12V, 135ah batteriesLigHTing: LED and halogenCOMPLiAnCE: ADR, ECE-STA and DDALEngTH: 10.6m, 11.3m, 12.5mMAx SEATing: 35, 39, 47
“…exclusive and unfettered access to the Optare factory.”
Engine and transmission are cradle mounted for ease of repair and removal. Optare interiors are bright and welcoming.Ever seen a brown Cummins? You have now!Workers complete frame constructionBuses in varying stages of construction at Optare HQ
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Intelligent Eco DashIf you think the design and construction of the
Optare product is impressive then ‘you ain’t
seen nothing yet’.
For Australia, the Tempo SR and Solo SR will
feature - as standard – a Multiplex system with
both onboard and remote diagnostics.
This systems works via Optare’s ‘Eco Dash’,
which is the central information source for
what the system is doing and is monitored by
the driver. Additionally, that same information
plus a zillion other facts and pieces of data
can be accessed remotely – at the depot or
anywhere for that matter - 24/7 via GPRS and
an internet-enabled computer.
We’ve seen a full demonstration of this
system (which will appear in our next issue)
and are amazed at what information it can
provide: from remote diagnostics where the
depot is alerted to a fault by email or an SMS
be it a broken blinker globe to something
more serious to passenger counting,
communication, live CCTV via factory-mounted
cameras on each bus and telematics. Further,
it controls and monitors a range of electrical
function within the bus including external
lighting, switch panels, message centre,
air-conditioning, kneeling function and much,
much more.
But like the guy who used to sell steak knives
on the telly says – wait, there’s more! Parallel
with Eco Dash is Eco Drive and Eco-Fleet,
which targets inefficiencies in fuel economy,
driver performance and vehicle dynamics
that all combine to give the bus operator the
absolute detailed information on how each bus
and driver is performing and the mechnical
condition of the bus at all times.
In relation to the driver the operations
manager can analyse the driver’s performance
over the whole route, entire shift, or at various
points of the route and then take steps to
eliminate bad habits resulting in poor fuel
economy, tyre and brake wear and general
control of the bus.
In BriefOptare, based in Leeds, UK, is owned by Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group of India, which took control of Optare in 2012. Ashok Leyland is one of the top five bus builders in the world.
Optare was established in 1985 and has built more than 10,000 buses in that time.
It sells its buses - the Solo, Versa, Metro City and the Tempo,
plus variations including hybrid and EV- to a number of countries throughout Europe and also to South Africa.
For Australia, the Solo SR and the Tempo SR will be sold here. EV and Hybrid will also be made available as required, according to Optare.
The company behind Optare also has the distribution for Irizar in Oceania, importers for many years
of coaches made in South America by the Spanish company. It is being headed up by former UD trucks and Higer executive, Shannon Taylor.
Optare’s UK plant sits on an economical 140,000 square feet in the semi-rural town of Sherburn, in Elmet, just a few miles from the once bustling industrial city of Leeds and has an annual production capacity of 1500 units per year.
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