British trio's Continental attack
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• Plaxton, Optare and Dennis flew the British flag at last week's European Bus and Touring Coach Fair, at Kortrijk, Belgium.
Plaxton showed its new coach and Optare its Delta in Trent Motor Traction Company colours and a Metrorider for Reading Buses. Dennis displayed its Dart, Lance and Javelin chassis, signalling the start of a Continental marketing offensive.
Apart from vintage reproduction specialist Asquith, they were the only UK representatives at a Continental-dominated show.
Dennis is hoping to increase exports and has just signed a deal with Dutch bodybuilder Berkhof. This will enable it to break into the Benelux market from early spring, particularly with its Dart midi chassis.
A new simple midi chassis for under £15,000 was shown by American manufacturer Spartan Motors of Michigan. The steelsprung Spartan EC 2000 chassis has a rear-mounted Cummins B 6 engine and Allison AT 542 transmission. It will be available with a Perkins engine next year.
French manufacturer Gruau showed a 6.8m long MG 36 midibus for 41 passengers on a Perkins Phaser-engined Ponticelli chassis with air suspension.
Volvo unveiled the B6, its new contender for the midi market. The 37-seater was one of the first coach-bodied examples, fit ted with Berkhofs updated Excellence body.
Volvo's rear-engined B12 coach chassis exhibit was fitted with Plaxton's Prestige body, unveiled simultaneously in Britain as the Excalibur.
Volvo, which has been dedicated to mid-engined coaches for 40 years, is offering the 12m chassis as a short transport frame, enabling easy shipment. It is offering the TD 122 FH 12-litre engine with transmission options of its new G7 Easyshift and ZF automatics. A factory-made 6 X 2 option for gross weights up to 22 tonnes will have a trailing axle with independent suspension, allowing the gearbox to be located between the wheels with only a short driveshaft — this shortens the rear overhang and improves weight distribution.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its 0404 coach range at the show, where it clinched the "Coach of the Year" award. The 0404, which has more rounded side panels than its 0303 predecessor, is not expected to come to the UK until the end of 1993.
Kassbohrer's 300 Series Setra coach range made its debut. The 9m to 12m integral has been completely revamped, with a new body design, running gear, relocated roll axis to improve road holding and wider front and rear track than its 200 series predecessor (CM 15-21 Aug).
The Century coach by Spanish manufacturer Irizar, made its first show appearance outside Spain. It has hinged wheelarch valances to give optimum access for suspension work and tyre changes.
Spanish firm Ayats presented its new 12m Olimpo doubledecker, claimed to be the only vehicle of its size on two axles.
Dutch firm Den Oudsten showed a low-floor Alliance citybus. The 86-passenger bus has a boarding height of 320mm and is powered by a 156kW (209hp) Daf engine, driving through a ZF 4 HP 500 transmission.
The unique Scania Master Centurion marks the very limits of proven automotive technology developed by Scania during the first 100 years of our history.
Based on the new Scania Streamline 500, its specification is unmatched by any production vehicle currently available from any manufacturer. The beautifully sculptured Streamline cab — available as a production option on 11 and 14 litre Scania R cab models — is a masterpiece of airflow management, helping to maximise fuel economy.
This magnificent Master Centurion is truly unique. Only the one model has been built. Its list price is exactly £100,000.
It is without question the most impressive truck ever seen in the United Kingdom, and probably anywhere in the world. By the end of October 1991, the vehicle will have covered around 12.000 miles making appearances at shows and exhibitions around the country..
In November, it will be sold to the highest bidder. Offers to purchase the Master Centurion must be sent to your local Scania distributor by November 15th.
From the proceeds, the BBC's Children in Need Appeal will receive a sizeable donation on behalf of Scania and the many suppliers that have generously contributed to the package.
For just one company, or just one person, the Scania Master Centurion will he a genuinely unrivalled symbol of status and success.