IFT: On the buses • Iveco Ford Truck is on the verge of breaking into the UK big bus market.
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Scottish bodybuilder Walter Alexander is to build a doubledeck Turbocity bus which is intended to be the first vehicle of a UK range of Iveco Ford PSVs covering all the main sectors with a separate PSV sales and marketing division.
"We're building block by block in the UK bus and coach market," said Iveco Ford PSV sales manager Harry Chambers, announcing the launch in Italy last week.
The Turbocity will initially be offered in 10.7m form, making it the longest two-axle doubledecker in the market, with room for 100 passengers. The first models are expected to go into service by the end of October. Target volumes are around 100 units a year, which Chambers describes as "very conservative". The company claims the Turbocity has already aroused a lot of interest among potential customers.
A single-deck version will follow, available in 10.7 and 12.0m lengths. Iveco Ford is talking to a UK bodybuilder about building the single-decker, beginning in October this year.
The double-deck Turbocity with a light, high-tensile steel chassis, is designed for easy access with a virtually flat floor reached by two shallow steps.
A rear-mounted Iveco 9.5litre diesel engine will be fitted, with a choice of either 157 or 194kW (210 or 260hp) driving through a ZF gearbox. Optional extras will include a particulate filter system which is claimed to reduce emissions by around 80%. The Turbocity will have independent front suspension and a maximum height of just over 4.4m.
The double-deck body design has been jointly developed by Iveco and Alexanders, and it will remain exclusive to Iveco Ford bus.