ish lightweight enters service with United
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117E1) Automobile Ser s has started running the t Irish-built bus from the ieral Automotive Corpora1 to go into operation in rain.
t is also thought to be the t bus model to be offered standard with the Gum
is engine, which into full production at rlington this week.
t is based on GAC's rural s operated in Ireland, ighs 6.4 tonnes, and costs iut E50,000, he bus is 10.2m long and a wheelbase of 4.95m. Ube 5.9-litre six-cylinder ;ine develops 97kw (130hp) 2,50Orpin and is mounted tically in-line at the back. drives straight forward ough an Allison four-speed y-automatic gearbox to a back axle. The radiator in the nearside at the back.
t uses single parabolic tard-leaf springs instead of suspension.
Ihe bus has an unusually kr overall height of 2.9m, 1 consequently a low centre of gravity. According to GAC, the body was able to tilt to 48 degrees during testing without overbalancing.
The prototype is plated at 9.7 tonnes, although on later vehicles this will be increased to about 10 tonnes, allowing seven rather than the present four standees even with heavy long-life batteries.
Ease of maintenance is part of GAC's sales message. The company's English-born managing director, Martin Poppleton, claims the engine and transmission can be removed in 20 minutes.
Quickly-replaced flat aluminium-alloy panels are used for the vulnerable front and rear skins; only the domes are in reinforced plastics.
United has bought the GAG for evaluation as a possible successor to the 150 mid underfloor-engined Bristol L} Is used for rural and quieter urban services.
According to general manager Stuart Senior: "Buses have been getting heavier and more complicated. We regard the GAC as an attempt to turn the clock back, using the latest technology to cut weight and costs."
United is already running the prototype of Leyland's Danish-built Tiger Cub 43seater. This is performing well, but is thought overspecified for its size, and its TL11 engine is turning in less than 31 lit/100km (9inpg) on town work, compared with around 22 lit/100km (13mpg) from the LHs. Early experience with the GAC: suggests a consumption of 28 lit/100km (10mpg), possibly 24 lit/1011km (12mpg) with tine tuning.