From Dennis Son of Javelin
Page 22
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• Visitors to last week's Duple roadshow in Surrey witnessed a double PSV debut in the shape of the all-new four-metre wheelbase Dennis Javelin with the first ever 8.5 metre long version of Duple's stylish 320 coach body.
The midi Javelin is powered by a turbocharged 1571cW (211hp) 6CT version of the 8.3-litre Cummins C Series engine, which in 179kW (240hp) chargecooled 6CTA form is already fitted in the full size 6.25m wheelbase Javelin.
Peak torque on the nonchargecooled engine is 760Nm (560 lbft) delivered at 1, 50Orpm.
The diminutive Javelin chassis offers a number of advantages for Dennis/Duple operators — not least in parts corn mortality, with the 8.5m chassis sharing many of the same mechanical components as its bigger counterparts. Similarly side windows, and front and rear screens, as well as a number of body mouldings, are also common across the Duple 320 body range.
On the full-size Javelin, the chassis layout allows extensive underfloor luggage room. On the Javelin midi chassis, the reduced wheelbase makes for a genuine, rather than set back, mid-engined configuration which means that luggage space in front of the engine is no longer available.
The little Javelin's layout, however, does allow it to be fitted with a near-side locker, in addition to its large boot, giving a luggage capacity capable of handling both transfer and long-distance touring applications.
During the road show at Egham (which was the most southerly in Duple's list of stops), Commercial Motor had the opportunity to drive the 8.5 midi. The vehicle is normally fitted with 35 reclining seats, although the road show vehicle had three rows of fixed seats on the off-side, to show the seat spacing available when fitted as a 39 seater. In either version seat spacing is more than adequate.
On the road the short wheelbase Javelin certainly proved lively, although the overall ride with the lightly laden vehicle was somewhat disappointing. On poor road surfaces, it pitched and bounced noticeably — but on better main roads its ride improved considerably. The Dennis midi comes with steel springs as standard, although air suspension is optional.
The very light powered steering, combined with the powerful brakes, make it a vehicle that takes time to get used to. The gearchange on the six-speed ZF box also seemed less positive than the same unit on the full size Javelin, with the lever set a little too far back for a comfortable gear change.
The 157kW Cummins engine, however, makes the shortened Javelin a very powerful midi indeed, which can take all terrains in its stride keeping gearshifts to a minimum. Interior noise levels are acceptable.
The smaller Javelin/Duple combination certainly fills a gap in the market, however its full size coach specification does make it relatively expensive on a cost per seat basis.
A surprising omission from the road show was the new Duple 300 bus body — the first of which has been mounted on a Volvo B1OM chassis and is due to be delivered to County Durham-based Gypsy Queen. A dispute over production changes at Duple, now resolved, delayed its completion.