'Lebensraum' in German maxi-coach
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Articulated doubledecker at Frankfurt
CONTINUING a tradition of producing unusual vehicles and bodywork in the huge exhibition area supporting the chassis makers' displays, the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Which opened yesterday, September 11, again includes some radical departures from established practice. In the ,psv section, in which Plaxtons fly the flag for Britain, the most striking exhibit is undoubtedly the new Auwarter Neoplan N138 articulated doubledeck coach. It is the .first German attempt to exploit fully all maximum pay dimensions, Auwarter, now also building normal single-deck articulated buses, has based the new longdistance did coach on the Skyliner design which was .first introduced some years ago. To the three-axle front section, Which has retained its (rear) engine location, has been added single-axle articulated section Which provides 31 seats on the top deck and rCatering, toilet and Storage accommodation below.
In the frorit portion of the coach 42 passengers are parried on the top deck and 23 on the lower deck. Overall length of the vehicle is 18m (59ft) and overall height is 4m. The arrangement of the Schenk articulation and ;Steered trailer axle permits a turning circle of 24m. In keeping With the scale Of the novel unit the engine is a Dahnler-Benz OM 404 V-12 developing 323 kW (440 bhp) driving one axle through a five-stage Allison 'transmission with integral hydraulic retarder. The mechanical train was evolved from the "test bus" described in CM on July 19 1974. Gvw approaches the legal maximum for articulated units, of 28 tonnes.
With the amidships location of the engine, access to the lower deck service section at the near is by means of a staircase from the top deck.' Boarding doors are arranged just ahead of the (front section) driving axle and ahead of the trailer axle. A second stairway is positioned at the rear cif the main sedtion.
A cavernous luggage locker at the rear has a capacity of lOcum (354cuft). Standard Neoplan features include air suspension on all four axles, air conditioning and the 'maker's own design Of sleeper-seats.
In the Frankfurt Show, which this year is particularly strong on psv developments and the role of public transport, electric vehicles are featured in an outdoor exhibit by GES. This, as will be remembered, is the company which has been instrumental in co-ordInating the development work by a number of German vehicle and electrical equipment makers and which has 'successtfully introduced battery-electric buses in long-term evaluation service. The Frankfurt exhibit is a comprehensive progress report as well as a peep into the next stage of electric vehicle promotion. Vehicle transmissions are featured on several makers' stands and among them the Renk Doromat, introduced son 16 months ago, is making its first show appearance. In addition to the three-stage Doromat 873, suitable for engines up to 235 kW (320 ,blic a new four-speed version is shown at Frankfurt, This specially intended for f>sv operation in hilly or mountainous areas, and, as on original model, incorporates tr5. hydro-dynamic braking stages
luced the Z-van. This has cal head and rear walls rig part of the body ure. Each sidewall is mently joined to one tudinal) half of the roof. s hinged in such a way lydraulic actuators can the assembly through 3rees, thus exposing the 1.igth of the body.
he " open" position the all, then horizontal, also 3 to give some shelter loading and to protect the . Each side can be opened endently in under 30 ds.
• greater load security and Luce the time required in ig deliveries from curtain brewery trucks an nick (Austria) firm has led novel bodywork has, so far, been fitted ir Bedford chassis.
ally the design comprises mtally divided sideboards, ower one hinged conven ly and the upper one d at the roof rail.
anical linkages are pro which open up the top is the dropside is lowered, res show method of tion of one of the thrall units built by ierman.