FORWARD ENGINE FROM GERMANS
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Two psv developments by Neoplan, of Stuttgart, underline the growing sphere of influence by German bus builders in foreign markets. A prototype coach based on the new Nlagirus-Deutz engined light lveco chassis has been completed for extended evaluation in Africa. The Neoplan N 307 "Kotoko" (Porcupine) is a forward-engined vehicle with 29 seats plus four additional gangway tip-up seats.
Three passengers are carried in the cab while the first row of five seats in the main part of the body is rear-facing. Good ground clearance is a feature of the fully-air conditioned vehicle with the body skirt 42 cm above road level. The Neoplan N 307 is 5,82m long and is powered by an air-cooled Deutz F 4 L 913 diesel engine supplying 87bhp (64 kW) at 280Orpm.
A wheelbase of only 2.6m (8ft 61/2in) and a rear overhang of 2.05m combine to meet the exacting requirements of the overseas territories for which this model has been designed. The frontal styling of the lveco/Magirus-Deutz original has been retained and successfully married up with the functional, yet elegant Neoplan side treatment.
A vehicle in an entirely different class is the G.N. bus of integral construction which has been designed for production in America by the Gillig Corporation under a Neoplan licence. The prototype of this vehicle, to be made in 30ft and 35ft versions, was recently shipped to America after being built in Stuttgart in close collaboration with technicians of the U.S. firm, Gillig, based in Hayward, California. The company previously specialised in school bus bodies on c.v. chassis. Co-operation with the German maker is giving Gillig an entry into the promising American transit bus programme although the specification diverges somewhat from the UMTA brief. While Neoplan know-how is evident in the use of ifs., space frame technology, air suspension lay-out, etc, the use of US domestic products for engine and drive line, axles, steering gear and air conditioning will make this vehicle fully acceptable to many of the smaller bus undertakings which would not consider an imported model, The production line at the Hayward plant is now being set Out by a team of Neoplan engineers and will provide for the building of 200 buses per year in the first phase. The 30ft long prototype is powered by a rear-mounted Caterpillar V-8 diesel engine of 210 (SAE)-h,p. driving the Rockwell axle through an Allison HT 640 automatic transmission. The bus has 36 seats and space for up to 18 standing passengers and has front and centre doors. Deeply tinted Lexan polycarbonate glazing is fitted and the bumpers are of the Firestone non-pressurised energy absorbing type.