Renault bus goes lower
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• Renault is working on an ultra-low-floor version of its R312 rear-engined citybus. It expects to show the first 12m integral on the Continent in the latter part of 1993 and could develop a right-hand-drive model for the UK.
The new model will have a floor height of less than 350nun, compared with the existing fouryear-old R312, which reaches 570mm. Like the standard R312, which has reached a production of 1,300, it should be available as a rolling chassis.
So far only about 15 R312 rolling chassis have been sold, all to Italy. Most of the integrals have gone to 60 French towns.
The new model, which could come to the UK when the economy improves, will be available as an artic bus in 1994. It is believed to herald a joint venture between Renault and Volvo for a future bus family.
Volvo could use the structure of the bus and replace the panel skins with its own design, which would completely change its appearance. And Volvo, which would probably market the product under its own name, could use its own engine.
Apart from their takeover of French bodybuilder Heuliez, there has been no tangible PCV
product resulting from the Renault and Volvo deal. The alliance, which was ratified at the beginning of this year, involved a 45% share swap of commercial vehicle shares (CM 11-17 Oct 1990).
The R312 is unusual in being built from six panels — two sides, top and underframe, and front and back. They are built and largely finished before being bolted together to form the complete bus.
It is powered by a transverse and vertically mounted 10-litre engine at the rear, in a compartment only 700mm from front to back. There are two power ratings of 152kW (206hp) or 186kW (253hp).
The R312, which costs about 25% more than a typical British single-decker, is believed to be the first production vehicle to use twin ventilated disc brakes on all wheels. The use of 19.5in wheels helps it achieve its low floor height.
Renault will initially target the ultra-low-floor R312 at the continental market. The Paris passenger transport authority, RATP, operates more than 300 R312s and is expected to order another 150 during 1992. Another 32 have been supplied to Geneva, Switzerland; and Dresden, Saabrucken and Sprengberg in Germany are also running Renault R312s.