Clubman 635 a lively bird
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IIDI-COACHES are popular with operators and passengers alike and the latest Irish-built Asco Clubman 685" based on the Fiat 0M55 van chassis should prove no exception, writes Noel Millier. klthough unusual as the basis for a passenger vehicle in Britain, the Fiat impressed me when I was ible to take one for a test drive recently.
The Asco Clubman 685 has n all-steel frame 25-seat uxury coach body built in llessington, County Wicklow n the Irish Republic.
The Fiat chassis is powered ly a Fiat four-cylinder 4.561it 275cuin) diesel engine hrough a five-speed gearbox. The Fiat proved surprisingly vely even when fully laden. The engine pulled very well n all gears at all speeds. 4aximum speeds reached in he gears were 17.7Km/h 11mph) in 1st gear, 33.8Km/h 21mph) in 2nd gear, 3.1Km/h (33mph) in 3rd gear, 80.45Km/h (50mph) in 4th gear and a top speed of 104.6Km/h (65mph) in top.
1 found the driving position on the Fiat Asco comfortable, although I was constantly annoyed by the windscreen wiper layout.
Even though three wipers are fitted they only reach halfway up the screen and I was forever looking down to see through the wiped area.
The Asco coach uses the existing Fiat Scuttle and instrument panel.
The demonstration coach had a front passenger seat mounted on the central bonnet which proved awkward to remove when inspecting the engine.
The front arrangement left access to the driving compartment on the nearside and the front seats mounted together on the offside.
The passenger seats were all red, moquette seats with black PVC backs; roof linings and body trim were in a wood grain formica type material.
Driving the coach I found that reverse gear was too close to second and it was very easy to engage accidentally reverse gear when pulling away.
My only criticisms of the body is that the entrance door is a little narrow and there is a slight body rattle from the top of the vehicle.