Multi-axle coach planned by Leyland
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NEW multi-axle coach to entually replace the Leyland opard is being planned.
But a British Leyland okesman said that their ajor development effort "was present tied up with trucks id the new coach will be a ng way in the future." There ere "a lot of lines on paper it nothing in metal so far," added.
It seems likely that the new )ach will be a low floor small heel design, perhaps similar L principle to the Moulton no axle independent gas susansion coach that Leyland early commenced building nder licence in 1972.
This design had a front engine, although Leyland are thought to be more in favour of an underfloor or rear engine layout even though this might upset the stability of the vehicle.
A mid-engine would also create problems If a frame of square section tube was used as in the Moulton coach. Fitting independent suspension all round—perhaps to two front and two rear axles-demands a frame of great torsional stiffness. Whatever the layout of the new coach it seems likely that Leyland have now abandoned old plans to produce a version of the National to satisfy the needs of the coach market.
For the new coach to really offer radical advances in ride and safety it seems that integral bodywork will be a major feature—probably based on square section tube panelled inside and out with a sandwich filling rather than the expensive metal pressings of the Leyland National.