Leyland Lynx in the frame
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• Leyland Lynx underframes are now available to independent PSV bodybuilders.
At last Wednesday's launch, VL Bus & Coach also revealed that the standard Cummins engine will be joined by an optional Volvo THD102KF, horizontally-mounted engine which develops 329kW (245hp). The charge-cooled power unit is claimed to have one of the cleanest emission levels of any large diesel.
Lynx underframes will go into production at Workington towards the end of the year. Alexander, Plaxton, Northern Counties and East Lancs are among bodybuilders who have expressed an interest in the underframe, says VL.
Prototypes have been tried out in Singapore and Australia: nearer to home, Ulsterbus of Belfast has been running Lynx underframes with Alexander (Belfast) bodywork since 1986 and now has seven underframes in service with its Citybus operation.
VL says that the Lynx is the single-deck bus market leader; the 800th unit will roll of the Workington production line this month. The Lynx won a 73% share of this sector in 1989 and an 83% share in the first quarter of this year, says VL.
Responding to rumours that the Leyland Swift chassis was to be discontinued, VL says that it will be retained and developed. Neither does it plan to discontinue the Tiger midengined coach and bus chassis. Its mid-engined double-deck Citybus chassis is to be improved with a "higher level of Volvo components" over the next couple of years.
An announcement on the Volvo BlOM coach chassis is expected next month.
VL warns that, while 50% of double-deckers were less than six years old in 1981, by 1993 70% of the double-deck parc will be over nine years old.