MCW's new Metropolitan
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looks like a winner By Derek Moses rr ESTTMONY to Metropolitan
Cammell-Weymann's determination to enter the luxury coach market and stay there (COMMERCIAL MOTOR August 19) was to he found in a marquee in Warwickshire last Friday. The occasion was the unveiling of the company's new Metropolitan 32/41 coach, mounted on a Bedford VAM chassis.
The new coach announced in August was the Athena and the prototype was exhibited in the demonstration park at the Commercial Motor Show in September. However, executives of MCW decided that this coach, despite its claimed advantages of lower cost and lighter weight, compared unfavourably with other Show coaches. So the Athena was stripped and restyled by a leading car designer to emerge as the Metropolitan—a marathon task completed in two months.
The result is an attractive vehicle comparing favourably with the latest products from the established luxury coachbuilders,
while retaining the advantages of its predecessor.
Earlier MCW coach characteristics, so evident in the Athena, are now restricted to the side elevation above waist height and a completely new look is given to the front and rear styling. Removal of the rather ugly flash, previously favoured by the company, has enhanced the clean and attractive lines of the actual body shell.
Claimed to be at least 5 cwts lighter than its nearest rival, the Metropolitan employs all-metal lightweight construction using 2-section steel canines, Z-section alloy purlins, top-hat steel main side pillars and back-to-back steel channel floor bearers. The prototype seats 41 passengers in well-spaced and comfortable seats upholstered in Tibor fabric, a very pleasant material rather like uncut moquette; 45 seats can be accommodated for operators requiring a larger seating capacity.
Lighting is by fluorescent tubes recessed behind translucent panels fitted flush in the ceiling panels. These panels are arranged in pairs between the four roof lights, two of which are the lift-up opening type. The ceiling and underside of the solid-base parcel racks are lined with Vynar, a washable fabric matching the modem decor of the interior. When radio, an optional extra, is fitted, the speakers are concealed in the ceiling behind the fabric.
Individual passenger ventilation is provided by Happisch ventilators fitted in the racks, and
individual window demisters are included. 7 recirculatory heaters are fitted in the sah together with two heating and demisting at the front end. The driving compartment also been restyled, with driving and ancil controls grouped neatly within easy reach ol driver.
The Athena may have been considered to "non-starter" but its successor is a professior finished vehicle which promises to be a challenger in its field.
Price of the body in standard form, whicl eludes a large additional offside luggage lot is £3,995.