Starring role for monocoque Lion
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• MAN has launched its new 12m touring coach, the Lion's Star FRH 422, in 50, 47, 45 and 37-seater variants.
Power comes from the 12litre, 309kW (414hp), Euro-1 charge-cooled engine used in the 17.422 truck range. (see left) The rear-mounted engine drives through a ZF Ecomid 8S 180 eight-speed range-change gearbox. Automatic pre-selection gear shift (AVS) is fitted as standard but a manual shift can be specified as an option. The engine and gearbox are encapsulated to reduce noise emission.
Inside, the body has a flat floor with no seat mounting platforms. This gives improved headroom and luggage rack capacity. Passenger access is helped by an electro-pneumatic tipping device for the courier's seat.
The monocoque lattice frame is designed as a safety cell, constructed from rectangular steel tubes; the side wall posts are reinforced with an inserted steel section.
The Lion's Star is fitted with a heating and ventilation system based on the manufacturer's MANtronic air-conditioning system: front and rear underfloor heaters supply air at floor level and to the heated side walls. Internal temperature is held at 22°C regardless of external con ditions unless altered by the driver.
Air intakes are mounted in roof ducts on the rear dome. All ventilating air is filtered and a smog circuit automatically closes off the air intakes in tunnels and other places where air quality is poor. Stale internal air is drawn off at the rear and pumped out of ducts around the front doors.
Passengers have overhead adjustable ventilation nozzles, reading light switches, service call buttons and connections for the audio system.
The electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS) features two air bellows on the front axle and four at the rear. Twin control arms are fitted to the front axle with angled longitudinal arms and an open wishbone design at the rear. ECAS features a raise/lower capability to assist entry and ease loading on ferries.
Internally-ventilated disc brakes are fitted to the front axle with drums at the rear. ABS, ASR anti-wheelspin control and a Voith retarder are specified as standard.
Production is due to begin at MAN's Salzgitter plant at the end of the year; 120 Lion's Star should roll off the production lines in the first year, increasing to 200 by 1994 and 300 by 1996.