Bus Euro Test 2012 Bus Euro Test 2012
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16-21 BusEuroTest 2012 14/8/12 16:14 Page 1 Bus Euro Test 2012 Bus Euro Test 2012 evelopments in the city bus market have Jury, carried the considerable burden of organising Versaillais that they are part of Paris) is notorious continued apace over the past few years everything on his shoulders. He was fortunate to for its congested traffic conditions and this is D with all manufacturers continuing to invest be able to enlist the support of the French especially true of Versailles. To compound this heavily to meet the requirements of the impending transport group, Keolis and its Phébus division, David selected a test circuit that combined two of Euro6 exhaust emission regulations, while also based close to the famous Palace of Versailles, Phébus’ most demanding routes for an evaluation looking at alternative means course that took almost an of reducing the environmental hour to complete though it impact of their products. The covered only 15.6km. Some entries for the 2012 Bus Euro sections were very tight and Test, the event held to enable on one street buses had to the International Bus & Coach wait at either end if another of the Year Jury to determine bus was already using the which bus will be the winner road. Fortunately, the of the International Bus of the authorities gave special Year 2013 title, reflected this. permission for the candidates While all may be trying to to use the dedicated bus lanes achieve the same end result, during the test, which helped the diversity of means of a little in the centre. Add in to achieving it demonstrated by the mix a number of steep the candidates could not have slopes and you have a course been more marked. Of the that really puts the buses five buses participating, one through their paces. was a lightweight diesel; one Five buses participated, all Irisbus Iveco Citelis Hybrid. was a heavyweight featuring nominally 12m long. These Euro6 well in advance of the mandatory hosted the event providing the operating centre were the: Irisbus Iveco Citelis Hybrid, MAN Lion’s requirement, and three were hybrids though, even used throughout the four days of testing. This City Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz Citaro 2 Euro6, VDL here, there was variety in that one was a parallel started with the noise, braking and acceleration Citea LLE-120/225 and the Volvo 7900 Hybrid. hybrid and two were series hybrids, one of the tests which were hampered by heavy rain. The candidates series buses featuring batteries for energy storage Important assistance in the form of sponsorship of and the other ultra-capacitors. dinners, catering, receptions and test track Irisbus Citelis Hybrid After a very successful Coach Euro Test at Senlis provision came from Busworld, ZF, ActiOil, Otokar Built at the Annonay plant in France, the 12m near Paris three years ago the event returned to (who were not competing), Prestige Equipment Irisbus Citelis Hybrid is one of four models in the The Citelis interior. The Citelis cab. The Citelis Hybrid driveline. France this year under the auspices of the French and iXellium who provided one of their luxury VW Irisbus hybrid range that employ serial technology magazine, Bus & Car, Transport de Voyageurs. Bus Crafter conversions for David to use for transfers. from BAE Systems, as do the hybrid models & Car’s David Reibenberg, Vice Chairman of the The Iles de France region (never suggest to the produced by Alexander Dennis. Apart from the Page 16 Bus & Coach Buyer 17 August 2012 16-21 BusEuroTest 2012 14/8/12 16:14 Page 2 Bus Euro Test 2012 version entered, the company also offers an 18m roof mounted. ZF supply the AV132 rear axle how the vehicle works and also describes the articulated Citelis and both 12m and articulated which is common with the diesel Citelis. vehicle functions that differ from diesel buses, models from the Heuliez range, the latter two An aspect of the BAE Systems hybrid package particularly in respect of Stop&Start, the brake models also built in France at Rorthais. It is not the not hitherto seen in the UK is a ‘Stop&Start’ facility. lever, override and the hill hold function. Finally only electric offering Irisbus provide as the Citelis This wasn’t fitted on the bus tested because it has there is a section on driving tips, the three main is also available as a trolleybus. Although there are a mechanical steering pump at present, though it points being that the driver should employ a ‘light only a limited number of hybrid models in service will be for Euro6 when the bus will be capable of foot’ to minimise fuel consumption and maximise so far, they are producing encouraging results with driving in pure electric mode. With Stop&Start, passenger comfort, he should decelerate with the 40% fuel savings quoted in TUV SORT 1 tests and when stationary, the driver is encouraged to flick a brake lever to maximise electric energy recovery 29% in SORT 2 tests, with even better returns for rocker switch mounted on the panel to his left to and should activate the service brake as much as the articulated versions. stop the engine, and then flick it again to instantly possible when the vehicle is stopped to maximise Entered as a three door city bus, the Citelis has restart. Once stopped, when the engine the effectiveness of the Stop&Start feature. a visually attractive, though not particularly radical temperature is high enough, the driver’s door is Beneficial points from a maintenance and appearance, with most of the repair standpoint were the additional driveline fact that all windows are equipment mounted on the standardised at 1.53m long roof beneath a cover running and, because the engine is from the centre door to the transverse, there are no rear, with roof shrouds engine hatches within the disguising it from the front interior and no need to enter wheel to beyond the centre the interior for normal door and additional small maintenance. I liked the shrouds at the rear. An special cables ties for the unusual and welcome high voltage cables to feature was the inclusion of prevent them rubbing additional glazed side areas together and eliminate the below the main window line potential for fusing. All in the central section of both exterior lights are LED units sides, a standard option with the exception of the adding ¤2,000. halogen headlights and all Internally, the interface interior lights are now LED between the driver and MAN Lion’s City Hybrid. as standard. Apparently, passenger is well thought out older neon light units can be with a high mounted seat and only a partial closed, there is sufficient air pressure, there is easily converted to LED, and there is also an partition. There were some unusual saloon sufficient charge in the traction battery, the option to install LED lights in handrails. features including cantilever seats from Ruspa parking brake is released and time has elapsed From a passenger point of view it gave a with backs that can be seen through. Three since the last stop, the engine will switch off auto- smooth ride, vision out was good and it was quite different interior colour schemes are offered, matically when the service brake lever is activated. comfortable though the seats were on the small chocolate, coffee or cream, Irisbus having made a It will restart automatically once the accelerator is side for big people and there were insufficient conscious decision not to offer grey any more. At pressed and the service brake is released, overhead handrails for the 99 passenger capacity the rear, there is no passenger height window but providing there is sufficient battery charge. The quoted. The MAN Lion’s City Hybrid interior. The MAN Lion’s City Hybrid cab. The MAN Lion’s City Hybrid driveline. there is a high mounted one that continues over engine will restart automatically if more air From a driver standpoint there was criticism of the roof. The floor layout was good with no more pressure is needed. A legal requirement with the mirrors, particularly that on the right hand than one step to any seat and a very open front Stop&Start in France and a feature fitted on the side, which did not show the whole bus and the section with no floor boxes. There was good bus was an interlock between the brake and the internal mirror was mounted quite low. Some also information provision thanks to new display units electric doors. If you don’t engage it the doors felt the top edge of the screen was too low, and the air conditioning was effective. Overall the won’t open. Once it is activated you can take your though the raised position was liked. Most jurors feeling was one of spaciousness and light. feet off the pedals. liked the swift acceleration and the torque The driveline features a 5.9-litre Tector 6, six- It has a hill hold function whereby selecting D available, others felt it was too fast, but all agreed cylinder diesel engine developing 300hp (220kW) when the bus is stationary going uphill will prevent it was easy to drive and smooth with no gearbox at 1,850rpm and peak torque of 1,100Nm. The it rolling back and selecting R when stationary and no gearchanges. The effectiveness of the electric traction motor is a brushless asynchronous heading downhill will prevent it rolling forward. retarder was praised, with the brakes generally unit that also plays the part of the gearbox and There is also an override function, should the only needed for a complete stop, but it was felt has integrated ASR and retarder functions.