Rally debut for Renault
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IN Renault is expected to dip its toe into the UK luxury coach market this April by showing off its award-winning FR1 GTX grand tourer at the Sealink British Coach Rally in Southampton on 20-21 April.
Renault builds the complete vehicle. It is using the event chiefly to enable British operators to see the vehicle which won the 1991 European Coach of the Year competition.
It says that the British heavy coach market would need to grow from its present 1,000 units to 1,500 for Renault Truck Industries (RTI) to offer the model for sale.
In France, Renault has a 50% share of the heavy coach market, which comprised 1,250 units during 1990. It also took about 60% of the PSV market above six tonnes, which had total sales of 2,800.
The GTX version of the FR1 was launched in June 1989. It has a 10-litre engine which produces 250kW (340hp) driving either a ZF six-speed plus crawler gearbox or Renault's nine-speed B9. It is also fitted with a Telma F200 electromagnetic retarder as standard.
The rear-engine coach, in common with the FR1 range, has front disc brakes — they are the same as Lucas Heavy Duty Braking Systems' units, used on the AE truck range.
Renault says that the 53seater has been designed to give "airline comfort" and has overhead lockable storage bins.
The front axle is air and coil sprung to give the ride comfort demanded by Continental touring companies.
Renault claims that the tourer boasts more luggage space than its rivals — it offers 12m3 in the 12m long version. The flat floor is 1.55m above the ground, and the overall height is 3.55m, just below the tallest rival at 3.6m.