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Eastern tales from Hungary
Page 22
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• Budapest hosted the 48th Congress of the International Union of Public Transport (UITP) — the first to be held in an Eastern Bloc country — and which attracted participants from 46 countries.
In addition to the UITP technical sessions, several manufacturers, including Voith and ZF, took part in workshops providing valuable background material for fleet management specialists.
Daimler-Benz, which earlier this year became the first European manufacturer to introduce diesel particulates filter equipment as a regular option of PSV application, used the event to give more details of the chosen system.
Ceramic yarn
The D-B method differs from the equipment now offered by other makers in the construction of the filter pack itself — using ceramic yarn wound over perforated tubes — and in the method of regeneration by means of injecting a minute quantity of acetyl acetone (more popularly known as nail varnish remover) to lower the temperature needed for burning off soot deposits.
Volvo also used the Budapest show for the public premiere of the PSV application of the "Cityfilter" emission control system (CM 8 June).
The rapidly accelerating trend towards buses with low boarding heights was represented at Budapest by vehicles from MAN, Den Oudsten, Van Hoot and Kassbohrer.
Although not on show at the UITP exhibition, the first Mercedes-Benz low-floor derivatives of the 0405 range are under construction for a launch at Frankfurt in September. It is probable that Mercedes-Benz will build two versions of the "passenger-friendly" bus: a German model compatible with the 320mrn average step height already widely used in that country, and an alternative model for other European markets with a floor height of 560mm.
New Van Hool
Significantly, Van Hoot chose the UITP meeting to reveal details of a new bus designed specially to meet the operating requirements of the Belgian SNCV undertaking. Although resembling the successful A500 range of vehicles — which have side-mounted engines — the power unit reverts to the rear, underfloor location featured in the former A120 model. SNCV has already ordered 115 units while the City of Liege (STIL) is taking 90.
Daf-based city buses were shown at Budapest by Hainje and Den Oudsten.
The former company is currently looking at Danish-built DAB articulated underframes for applications where Daf engine and driveline are specified.
The Ikarus-bodied Iveco bus for an African user was an example of the Hungarian manufacturer's growing sphere of influence overseas. Scania also chose to exhibit an Ikarusbuilt coach in company with a Katrineholm-built citybus.
East meets West
The strong mix of East and West at this exhibition was conveyed by the Cumminsengined Csepel PSV chassis from the Budapest-based manufacturer, while another example of western techonology transfer was provided by the Bulgarian-made Chavdar range of buses.
These are based on Steyr designs under a 1983 licensing agreement.
Ikarus exhibits included typical examples from the current production programme, including the new Type 415 city bus already going into service with the Budapest (BKV) fleet and the Type 521 minibus based on VW LT-55 chassis.