REE INTO MANY
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Peugeot-Talbot's triaxle Express conversion, originally designed to take advantage of bus deregulation, is now winning many friends in the local authority and police markets
• Peugeot-Talbot's triaxle production facility, sited in the old Humber plant at Stoke, is extending its range of body options in addition to chassis conversions. This small operation converts a Standard Express chassis into a triaxle configuration by grafting the front-wheel-drive Express chassis cowl onto an AL-K0 tandem-axle chassis. Around this, a fully integrated weldedsteel cage is built and clothed in fibreglass, aluminium or steel body panels. The result is a vehicle with a maximum GVW of 4.2 tonnes.
Conceived as a minibus production facility, prompted by coach de-regulation, the vehicles were launched at the 1986 Motor Show with first deliveries in early 1987. The triaxle lends itself to passenger vehicle use as it offers a more even ride over indifferent city centre roads than a conventional two-axle chassis. The low chassis height and wide track also contribute to vehicle stability.
FLEXIBLE PLATFORM
These factors and the integrated body construction make it a very flexible platform, with possibilities for a wide variety of uses. Doors can easily be added, windows can he of varying size and located where required. This meant the bus could be offered for fare-paying work or welfare use with rear access for wheelchairs if required.
Bus sales were around 300 in 1989 with projected sales of 400 this year. A larger than expected proportion of the Freeway version is sold for welfare use. 75% of sales are Freeways, the remainder being the Pullman version used by bus companies. Freeway now holds 50% of its market while the Pullman takes 20% in the competitive fare paying market.
Other possibilities for the triaxle chassis became apparent. A straight forward panel van is produced but more recently, the design has generated wider interest. Warwickshire County Council, for example, has placed an order for three equipped as mobile libraries. These will be fitted with a sliding side door and some glazed panels.
Other applications have been as X-ray and dental units, while the ride characteristics have won it friends in the ambulance service. Tightening budgets have kindled interest in diesel vehicles among both ambulance and police services, as modern diesel engines offer good performance combined with reliability and good fuel economy.
Police forces are also interested in the flexibility of the triaxle. Each force has different requirements from mobile canteen to personnel carrier or secure vehicle and it is possible to produce a basic police 'shell' which can then be adapted. Peugeot-Talbot has already produced such a vehicle after consultation with police forces. Fitted with a raising front riot screen, it also has smaller side windows than the bus variant. The interior can then be fitted out as required.
To broaden its appeal further, Peugeot-Talbot and AL-KO are now considering a chassis cab version which will make the triaxle configuration even more flexible. Local authorities might find this a suitable platform for a variety of light maintenance vehicles in addition to the uses made of the current range. Taking further advantage of the production flexibility, Peugeot-Talbot has already introduced a single-axle derivative using the same basic design. Built for a major fleet operator, the initial order is to provide vehicles for evaluation as welfare buses. The AL-KO chassis is basically the same as the tandem axle, using a single axle at the rear.
NATURALLY ASPIRATED
• With the additional weight over the standard Express van, no petrol engine option is offered, leaving a choice between the 2.5 litre naturally aspirated and turbocharged indirect injection diesel units. To date, buyers have opted for the naturally aspirated engine which outsells the turbo by 4:1.
The main problem Peugeot-Talbot faces with the triaxle, is how to dispose of the rear chassis and axle section cut off to make way for the AK-KO tandem axle chassis. Sensible suggestions to them not us please!
El by John Kendall