Czech buses for UK? by Derek Moses
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• A new range of buses, the SM 11, has been put into production by Karosa at Vysoke Myto, Czechoslovakia. The SM 11 follows the successful Skoda 706 RTO bus, which has been in production for the past 10 years. Although there are no immediate plans for importing the SM 11 range into this country, I understand it could well be made available to UK customers in the future—assuming that this week's events do not affect trading plans.
The SM 11 itself is a city bus of 11 metres (36ft) overall length and 2.5 metres (8ft 2fin.) width. It is powered by the new flat Skoda ML 630 diesel engine of 180 bhp located under the floor between the axles. The transmission consists of the Praga 2M 70 automatic gearbox with hydrodynamic torque converter, linked to the engine by means of a short propeller shaft, with electromagnetic control by push-buttons on the instrument panel.
Monocoque construction is employed and the bus has pneumatic suspension and telescopic hydraulic dampers. Three door
ways are provided on the nearside and are closed by electro-pneumatically-operated doors controlled from the driver's seat. The interior is lit by fluorescent lamps and fitted with tubular-framed seats upholstered with latex mouldings and trimmed in leatherette. The driver's seat employs rubber bush suspension and is adjustable in both horizontal and vertical directions. Fuel oil heating is distributed along the leff side of the body and vents are located in the top portion of the front panel, controlled by the driver.
The bodywork employs steel sheet panels while the bottom portion and the roof are of alloy sheet. Plastics are used for interior panelling, wheel arches and instrument panel.
A front axle lock of 52 degrees gives the bus outstanding manoeuvrability, necessary in heavy city traffic.
From the SM 11 is derived the SL model, for inter-city work. Of similar dimensions to the SM, the SL 11 has front and central doorways only. It employs the Praga five
speed manual gearbox. The bodywork frame is adapted for fitting towing gear for a trailer of 1,500 kg (3,3001b) total weight.
Another model is the articulated SK 16.5 bus for city transport. Designed to carry 160 passengers, it has an overall length of 16.5 metres (54f1). The rear axle is steered from the turntable linking the front and rear portion, while the middle axle is live and identical with that on the SM 11 model. The power unit is similar to that on the SM 11, but uprated to 200 bhp and the 2M 70 gearbox has a modified converter.
The third model in the range is a long distance coach, the SD 11, with the same basic dimensions as the SM 11; it is powered by the 180 bhp version of the Skoda ML 630 engine, driving through a ZF fully synchromesh six-speed gearbox and a Skoda 4.357:1 rear axle giving the coach a maximum speed exceeding 100 kph (62 mph). Features include folding bucket seats, forced individual ventilation and additional lighting for every seat.