Van Hod unveils duo
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• Van Hool is launching two new vehicles at the UITP show in Stockholm this week and both will be made available in righthand-drive.
The A300 citybus is based on the A500 which has been built for around eight years and will still be sold alongside the new model. It is a 12m integral, which is available with wheel bases of 11.975m and 11.540m.
Like the A500, the A300 is fitted with an MAN 6.5-litre engine which produces 162kW (217hp), driving through either a ZF or Voith automatic gearbox.
The main differences between the two citybuses is their floor heights. At 300mm the A300 has a lower floor than the A500 with a single step to the flat aisle. The A500 has two steps on to the aisle.
The A300 windows are slightly lower than those on the A500 to give better vision. UK operators will be able to take delivery of right-hand-drive models in about eight months' time for around £115,000.
Up to 50 seats can be fitted inside a two-door A300, with room for 20 standing passengers. A one door model is also available.
Few UK operators have bought A500s, but up to 1,000 units have been sold on the Continent.
Van Hool's other newcomer is the 9m A308 midibus which "unites the extra low floor of the A300 to the advantages of the A508 midibus", it says. It will be available to UK operators for around £85,000.