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MAN and Berkhof design lightweight bus
Page 19
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• Technical co-operation between Dutch PSV specialist Berkhof and MAN has led to the design of a new bus which is claimed to be almost a tonne lighter than a conventional 12m vehicle.
MAN's low height underframe, used in its NL202, and relatively small 6.9-litre 157kW (210hp) six-cylinder diesel engine, have helped Berkhof to incorporate a design capacity of up to 100 passengers. Transmission options include ZF•and Voith automatics.
The left-hand-drive vehicle will be shown in Britain, Although Berkhof expects a premium of around 10% over a standard city bus of similar capacity, the Dutch maker's flexible production will allow modifications to suit various foreign markets and C&U rules, more cost-effectively than the MAN line at Salzgitter.
An articulated version is also under consideration, which will provide the same low (317mm) boarding height at the front, rising to 340mm at the centre door. If a third door is specified at the rear an intermediate step is fitted to reach the floor level of 580mm.
The integration of the body structure with the MAN underframe includes a special roof structure to provide the necessary stiffness. Because of underfloor space limitations a number of auxiliary units, including air tanks, are accommodated in the roof section of the new vehicle which is aluminium-skinned to contribute further weight savings.