Van Hool's British push
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IM Van Hoot (UK) plans to push further into the UK market with the Belgian-built Alicron integral coach. It has just become Alicron's sole UK distributor and plans to sell around 15 Alicrons this year alongside its other product, the EOS coach.
"When we introduced the EOS last year we knew that it would appeal to the top segment of the market," says managing director Vernon Edwards. "The Alicron is designed to sell to those operators who still want a high quality coach but without all the features of the EOS."
The Van Hool-built Alicron costs £121,000 compared with £.135,000 for the recently upgraded EOS (CM 28 March-3 April).
The Alicron is powered by a 12-litre, 232kW (311hp) MAN D2866T0H turbocharged engine which drives via a ZF S6-90 manual gearbox. A Telma Focal 2000 retarder is fitted as standard.
The standard right-handdrive specification for the Alicron includes 55 reclining seats, tinted double glazing, a Webasto heater, pantograph doors on the side lockers and a one-piece unglazed rear panel.
The Alicron is only available as an integral, but Van Hoot produces a body, the Alizee, which is very similar, says Edwards.
"I see a market for a stylish high capacity, high quality integral and believe that the Micron is an ideal vehicle for it," he says. "Indeed I would go so far as to say that in terms of style and value for money the Micron has no direct competition."
Van Hoot (UK) has a demonstration Micron in stock and says it will be able to supply the vehicles by early summer.
The Micron was launched about seven years ago as one of three products in the T815 range. Between 150-200 T815s have already been sold in the UK.