UK launch for the EOS 200
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• A Van Hool coach which was developed specifically for the French market is to be launched in the UK.
This follows unexpected interest from British operators at its Kortrijk Show debut in Belgium last month (CM31 Oct-6 Nov).
Scarlet Band Coaches of County Durham ordered an EOS 200 integral at Kortrijk and another 17 were sold to continental operators.
The rear-engined 200 is similar to Van Hool's EOS 100, but has a more-rounded front and a lower windscreen. It was designed to compete with Renault's FR1 coach in France where operators have not ac cepted the steel-bodied EOS 100.
Production of the £135,000 EOS 100 will continue alongside the new model, allowing Van Hool to satisfy different markets. "The EOS 100 has a unique appearance and it has not really been accepted by the French, but it is very popular with the Germans and quite well accepted in the UK," says Van Hool's UK sales manager, John Dover.
UK operators have bought 25 3.7m-high EOS 100s since its launch at the Coach & Bus exhibition in 1989: 200 have been sold on the Continent.
Dover says that Van Hool was prompted to bring the EOS 200 to the UK after many British operators expressed interest in the £139,500 coach at Kortrijk. He hopes to sell up to 10 of the 53seaters in the UK during the year following its launch at next Easter's Southampton Rally.
Scarlet Band Coaches will take delivery of its EOS 200 in March; it will join a fleet of six touring coaches, four of which are Van Hools, on European touring work.
The Scarlet Band EOS 200 is powered by an MAN 264kW (354hp) diesel; this option has now been made available on the EOS 100. The other option is the Daf 264kW (354hp) engine driving through a ZF manual gearbox with integral retarder.
Van Hool acquired the EOS design when it took over LAG last June. Changes include a kneeling suspension to line the first step up with ramps; Van Hoot Labellux reclining seats; a heated upper windscreen; electric sunblinds and a five-litre underfloor water boiler which supplies a sink above a sunken washroom. The electrical system and some mechanical components were modified to ease production.
The Kortrijk show attracted 17,000 visitors from 63 countries — 19% up on last year. The next Coach & Bus Fair will be held on 15-20 October 1993.