Indomitable ominator
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
HESTAIR DENNIS's recent "drive-in" at Goodwood Motor circuit provided my first opportunity to drive the new Dennis Dominator double-decker writes Noel Millier.
Clean and functional in appearance the East Lanes bodied bus alsO bears the characteristic Dennis radiator grille over its front mounted radiator.
Dominator chassis are available to take both single and dual entrance double or single deck bodies and this point will help operators who prefer to place tenders for bodies and chassis separately.
I drove the bus and rode in it as a passenger round the somewhat uneven former racing track. The passenger ride quality on the empty and partially laden bus was quite adequate and good for a vehicle equipped with conventional springs.
The Gardner Voith combination provides good acceleration and extremely smooth gear changes. I found the power steering excellent with just the right amount of "feel" and the combination of brakes and the built-in Voith hydrodynamic retarder was responsive.
The only fault I found while riding on the bus was a slightly irritating whine from the transmission when the vehicle was driven fast.
Servicing the Dennis with its uncluttered engine compartment and well-proven mechanical components should prove convenient. The bus has obviously been designed with ease of operation and reliability in mind.
The main contenders in the double-decker market have now been revealed with the exception of the Metro-Cammell Weymann Metro bus.
In the Dennis and the Leyland Titan we have seen two very different approaches to the same problem. With the Metrobus about to be revealed and the Foden NC, Ailsa and Bristol VR also on the scene, the future of double deck bus operations must be in cheaper to operate and reliable vehicles. At present, most large operators are ordering small numbers of vehicles for e luation and it looks as if most able contenders will • the battle and in fut operators will achieve standards of reliability.