Low-floor Berkhof for UK
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• AVE Berkhof, the British importer of Dutch-built Berkhof coaches, hopes to offer UK operators the marques low-floor citybus which has been available overseas for about two years. Until now only the Excellence 1000 and 2000 coaches have been on offer to UK operators.
The three doored demonstrator has returned to Holland after being shown here last April, but the Bracknell-based dealer plans to bring it back soon.
Other options include two or three inward opening doors, ABS, central lubrication, automatic crankcase filling, soot filter, a range of seat styles, seating configurations and heaters, double glazing, heated windshields and corner windows. The demonstrator is an 11.8m unit with capacity for 42 seated and 58 standees. But it could be available in right-hand-drive in lengths from 10-12m, says the British-based importer which has been selling Berkhofs since 1989.
The MAN NL202 chassis gives a front entrance height of 317mm and an exit height at the central door of 340mm. But when the bus suspension is made to kneel these dimensions are reduced by another 90mm. About two thirds along the bus there is a ramp to lift the floor above the rear engine which is offset to the nearside.
Its direct-injection sixcylinder diesel engine produces 157kW (213hp) at 2,400rpm, driving through either a 2F or Voith automatic gearbox.
Berkhof previously concentrated on 8,5-12m coaches.