Lower lighter single Optare
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by Noel Millier • Optare is to build a new range of integral ultra-low-floor single-deck buses at its Leeds plant. The new range, as yet unnamed, is due to be launched at the Bus and Coach show at the NEC in October.
The 2.5m-wide lightweight buses will be offered in several lengths from 9.3 to 11.4m with seating capacities from 32 to 44 using the conventional steel box-section construction used on the MetroRider midibus range that Optare took over when MCW went out of business over six years ago.
The new bus will have a low flat floor to just forward of the rear axle where two shallow steps will lead into the rear section of the saloon.
To make repair and servicing easier a conventional T-shaped driveline will be used with a
rear longitudinally and vertically mounted Euro-2 Cummins B Series engine driving through an Allison B300R World Series automatic gearbox to a single reduction Rockwell rear axle.
Full air suspension is used with the low-beam front axle and suspension coming from MAN. Kneeling reduces the initial step height to 250mm.
The body will feature deep bonded windows and shallow, easy-to-remove side panels. The range is designed for right or left-hand drive and is suitable for export in kit form—Optare is currently enjoying significant success in Malaysia with MetroRider kits.
Priced at around ,f80,000, the new Optare integrals will be among the most competitively priced ultra-low-floor buses in the UK. First deliveries are expected early next year.