New-generation Enviro500: Lighter, more fuel-efficient and set to raise the bar - 6th November 2012
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has unveiled its new-generation, three-axle Enviro500 double deck – and announced advance orders for more than 530. The stylish, new-look vehicle is lighter, more fuel-efficient and can carry 90 seated passengers. It has been designed specifically for the Asia Pacific market and 532 will be delivered to Hong Kong operators such as KMB, Long Win Bus, Citybus and MTRC during 2013 and early 2014.
In developing the new Enviro500 ADL has focused on bringing to market a double deck that raises the bar in terms of fuel efficiency, reliability, maintainability and best-in-class whole life costs – and, in parallel with this, combines passenger comfort and safety.
The new Enviro500 has been designed and developed as a fully integrated product, bringing together an all-new chassis with stunning exterior styling that mirrors the ADL family look, as seen on the company’s best-selling two-axle double deck, the Enviro400. It is also future proof in terms of forthcoming Euro6 legislation.
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All-new chassis
The three-axle chassis is an all-new ADL design and provides a whole host of value added benefits for operators, with many new features that reduce operating costs, improve reliability, maintainability, accessibility – and increase seating capacity.
Reduced Weight and Improved Fuel Economy
Every area of the bus has been analysed in the quest for weight reduction without compromising strength and durability - and this is a significant contributor to improved economy. Major reductions come from an optimised frame structure, the compact ZF Ecolife transmission, a 350-litre fuel tank and ZF axles front and rear with disc brakes. These are complemented by a whole range of weight reduction measures that include lighter GRP panels, a smaller and shorter staircase, an aluminium radiator, lighter seats, shorter cable and pipe lengths, all of which have reduced overall weight by almost three-quarters of a tonne. Every detail has been considered carefully to ensure maximum levels of in-service reliability. At the major units level there are ZF axles with disc brakes and a steering tag axle option, while an immense attention to detail includes a new electronic braking system, reducing compressor duty cycles. There is also a new cooling system with an aluminium radiator and separate charge cooler for longer cleaning intervals, while positioning of the AdBlue dosing system is designed for ease of operation and maintenance.
Ease of Maintenance
Excellent access for maintenance and component replacement is designed into the new Enviro500. The most striking feature of the engine bay is the excellent access and space around all service items. There is also a convenient, new kerbside location in the rear nearside corner for the slide-out battery carrier.
Engine & Transmission
A Euro5 Cummins ISL 8.9 litre 6-cylinder engine provides the power with a choice of either Voith or ZF transmissions with TopoDyn or SensoTop fuel saving software, while ADL’s advanced ecotrakker Telematics system provides the potential to make a major contribution to improved economy, providing drivers with invaluable, detailed feedback.
New Body
The Enviro500 body is a huge step forward for high capacity double decks, combining style with a new, passenger-friendly layout. The stylish design can accommodate 90 seated passengers in an attractive, air-conditioned environment that remains comfortable regardless of the extremes of heat and humidity that may be experienced externally.
Body Integration and Further Weight Reduction
The over-riding benefit of the seamless integration between the chassis and body design is weight reduction, which provides the twin advantages of reduced full consumption and maximum passenger capacity. The key to this is that the optimised body design enables weight savings through lighter panels, an innovative, smaller, shorter staircase and the introduction of lighter seats.
Stylish New Look
The attractive, exterior styling brings the appearance of the new bus into line with the Enviro500 launched recently in North America – and with the familiar two-axle Enviro400, Europe’s best-selling double deck, bringing a family look to ADL double decks operating on three continents.
Improved Lower Saloon Seating and Gangway
One of the most radical changes to the new Enviro500 is that the entire vehicle driveline is off-set to the left side of the chassis, creating a step-free passenger gangway that reaches the final row of seats. The incline on this walkway is also reduced, which gives the Enviro500 class-leading headroom in both saloons. Combined with the new ADL “SQUARE-CASE” the net result is much improved accessibility throughout the bus and an increase in seating capacity on the lower deck to 31.
The ADL “SQUARE-CASE”
One of the most innovative new features of the interior is the ADL “SQUARE-CASE”, an imaginative solution that has the same footprint as a spiral staircase but overcomes the long, open drop of a straight design. Its compact layout enables 10 seats in the flat floor area of the lower deck and is the major contributor to a 15% increase in seating in the lower saloon. .
In the upper deck there is increased headroom and additional seats too, taking capacity upstairs to 59. This is combined with larger cooling ducts to improve passenger comfort.
