Low-floor Sonia hits UK market
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• Scania's low-floor version of its N113 citybus chassis will be available in right-hand drive this autumn (CM 17-23 1991).
Major UK bodybuilders have already received drawings of the single-decker chassis, which has an entrance height of 320mm. This slopes up to 350mm, compared with the standard version's 600mm rising to 670mm.
As yet none of the bodybuilders have contracted to take the 10.512m chassis. The varying lengths allow bodybuilders to choose the size of the wheelbase and the front overhang.
Scania says it has received an 'undercurrent of interest in lowfloor buses" from UK operators. It believes this shows that Britain is ready to evaluate the bus, which could cost 30% more than conventional single-deckers.
Last October Scania expected it to be another five years before it would bring the chassis to the UK, when either legislation or a revival in the economy would encourage operators to pay the extra cost.
Most of that extra cost comes from a steel or aluminium body, which has to be of a semiintegral design, fitted with a steel floor.
But the relocation of some chassis components, including the fuel and air tanks and possibly the radiator would also add to the price.
London Buses is keen to evaluate the advantages of the low floor concept. In the next few weeks it will invite manufacturers to tender for the fully accessible buses for which it is prepared to pay the equivalent price of a double-decker.
LB plans to buy up to 40 lowfloor buses and put them into service on a couple of routes from around the end of 1992 to evaluate their effectiveness and passenger reaction to having fewer seats: the low-floor 11.5m N113 takes 39 seats — eight fewer than the standard chassis — with room for a wheelchair.
Large PCV operators, especially those looking at guided busways, are showing interest in the low-floor N113 chassis, which is so far available only to Scandinavian operators.
Since the new model was launched at the UITP show at Stockholm last June, Scania has sold more than 50.
The standard N113 has reached more than 100 sales in the UK in single-decker form since it was introduced in 1984.
Like the original N113, the modified chassis is fitted with a DS1174 154kW (206hp) engine as standard, although engines up to 189kW (253hp) are available.