"Cleaner Air for our Future: The MAN City Bus enters the Philippine Domestic Market"
Ever since bus transport existed in the Philippines, it has always been a trend to utilize a medium-duty truck chassis for use as a bus. It is a popular option due to their availability and sturdiness. Due to the front-mounted engines, it has always been a common practice for the deck to be raised up to accommodate the height of the engine and drivetrain running from the engine up front to the rear axles. The end result is a deck height resembling that of long-distance coaches. Even upon the arrival of completely-built units from outside the country, city bus operators still opt for models with high deck heights. Due to their high deck nature, access in city buses for the elderly and disabled is quite limited.
However, MAN is set to change this trend with the introduction of their A84 18.280 city bus chassis, the most notable feature of which is the low-floor layout which gives easy access for passengers getting on or off-board the vehicle. Mounted at the back is a Euro 4 compliant 6.9 Liter D0836LOH40 Turbo-Intercooled 4-stroke Diesel Straight-6 engine pumping out as much as 280 hp at 2,300 rpm and 1,100 N-m of torque from 1,200 to 1,750 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Voith Sensotop 4-speed or a ZF EcoLife 6-speed automatic transmission which reduces the work load of the driver compared to the conventional Manual transmission. It is equipped with MAN’s Electronically-Controlled Air-Suspension for better ride comfort and it with a kneeling system to improve accessibility.
Disc brakes are standard on all four corners of the vehicle and MAN’s Electronic Braking System 5 or “Brake-by-Wire” enhances precision and shortens the stopping distance compared to that of conventional brakes. An electronic speed limiter also comes as standard further improving safety. Despite the technologies it packs, the MAN A84 is permitted to have a Gross Vehicle Weight of 18.2 tons which is 3 to 4 tons more than the usual city buses.
Such a capable chassis deserves a finely constructed body which is why Almazora Motors assembled the body which are imported from Gemilang Motors for the first prototype, which resembles a MAN Lion’s City.
Interior trim, lights, doors, and majority of all other components were imported from different countries. The doors open as wide as 1.35 meters and makes passenger entry and exit of the vehicle quick and efficient. Integrated to the door is a manually-folding access ramp for wheelchairs and infant strollers. Inside, lightweight polycarbonate seats replace the bulky traditional seats while a safe and comfortable area is allotted for people on wheelchairs.
Expect more of these MAN City Buses to arrive in the country.
Date Taken: February 7, 2016
Basic Details:
Operator: Fröhlich Tours Tourist Transport Service, Inc.
Fleet Number: 00193
Classification: Air-Conditioned Tourists & Charter Bus (Currently a Air-Conditioned P2P (Point-to-Point) Luxury Shuttle / City Operation Bus)
Seating Configuration: 2x2 & Side-Facing Seats
Seating Capacity: 39 Passengers
Body:
Coachbuilder: Almazora Motors, Corp.
Body Model: MAN Lion's City
Chassis:
Chassis Model: MAN A84 18.280 HOCL
Layout: Rear-Longitudinally-Mounted Engine Rear-Wheel Drive
Suspension: Air-Suspension
Engine:
Engine Model: MAN D0836LOH40
Cylinder Displacement: 6.9 Liters
Cylinder Configuration: Straight-6
Engine Aspiration: Turbocharged & Intercooled
Max. Power Output: 280 hp @ 2,300 rpm
Peak Torque Output: 1,100 N.m @ 1,200 - 1,750 rpm
Emission Standard: Euro 3
Transmission:
Type: Automatic Transmission
Gears: 6-Speed Forward, 1-Speed Reverse
* Some parts of the specifications may be subjected for verification and may be changed without prior notice...
Credits to Marvy Sales / eemvie for the photo request.
Facebook Page Article: Cleaner Air for our Future: The MAN City Bus enters the Philippine Domestic Market
Youtube Video: MAN Low Floor Test Run for BGC & DOTC by Josh Llabore / Lazy Boy (BusP)
Autoindustriya article: Froehlich Tours to use new buses for successful P2P service, CEO says
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