Series 60's set for Setra
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• Kassbohrer's new Setra 315HDH coach may be marketed in the UK with the Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine following a successful trial of a 12.7-litre version in a three-axle coach destined for North America (CM15-21 Aug 1991).
The Setra 300 Series, which was launched at the Kortrijk fair in Belgium last October, is currently powered by Scania, MAN and Mercedes-Benz engines.
However, Jim Shuttleworth, managing director of Lincolnbased dealer Kassbohrer (UK) stresses that sales in Britain will have to improve before he will invest in developing a righthand-drive version: "We will have to think very hard before bringing the 300 Series to Britain," he says. "Last year registrations of new buses and coaches in the UK only reached 1,871; and only 600 of these were coaches.
"If you go from the Artic Circle to Portugal and from the Atlantic coast of France to Turkey, all of the countries drive on the right-hand side of the road," he adds. "About 62 countries in the world drive on our side, but only about 12 of these are politically and financially stable enough to sell to."
Last year Shuttleworth's dealership sold 23 coaches in Britain and he believes there will be sufficient demand to offer the 300 Series here.
The 12.7-litre Series 60 develops from 272 to 336kW (365-450hp) but the engine is also available as an 11.1-litre unit developing 213-261kW (285-350hp). Two British hauliers are running with the fiveyear-old engine which is now only second to Cummins in sales in the US.
Alfred Hymas of Ripon, North Yorkshire, is evaluating the Detroit Diesel in a Foden tractive unit which is returning 36.71it/100km (7.7mpg) (CM 22-28 Aug 1991).