MAN Lion's City

MAN Lion's City
Lion's City Hybrid in Cologne
Overview
Manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus
Production 1996–present
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Integral bus
Body style
Doors 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5
Floor type
Related
Powertrain
Power output 220-360 hp
Dimensions
Length 8.13m – 20.45m
Width 2.38m – 2.55m
Height 2.99m – 4.37m
Chronology
Predecessor
NG 313 CNG (A23) on line 2 in Stockholm.
NL 263 (A21) in Oslo
NG 313 (A23) in Mülheim an der Ruhr
ORN Lion’s City G at westside of Mainz Mainstation.
Lion’s City DD in Berlin

The MAN Lion's City is a range of low-floor and low-entry public buses built by German truck and bus manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus (previously MAN Nutzfahrzeuge) since 1996 primarily for the European market, but is also available in chassis-only variants worldwide. The name Lion's City has been used since 2004, when MAN's public bus models which had been marketed separately were gathered into one range, when also most models received a facelift. The first models to be introduced were the 12-metre low-floor intercity bus NÜ xx3 (A20) in 1996, the 12-metre city bus NL xx3 (A21) in 1997 and the articulated NG xx3 (A23) in 1998. As with former MAN bus models the power-rating made up part of the model name, giving the NÜ-series buses with power-ratings of 260 and 310 hp model names NÜ 263 and NÜ 313 respectively.[1] The main production sites are in Starachowice and Sady in Poland, but the models have also been built in Germany and Turkey. Initially most of the midibus variants were manufactured by Göppel Bus in Augsburg, later Nobitz.

Models are available with a 6-cylinder turbocharged straight engine which runs on diesel, compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Versions with hydrogen fuel cell [2] drive and with hydrogen internal combustion engines [3] have been successfully tested, as well as diesel-electric hybrid drive.[4] A production hybrid-electric version, the Lion's City Hybrid, which uses supercapacitors and two 67 kW electric motors is available since 2010. Hybrid electric buses offer increased efficiency in urban traffic and use 30% less fuel than combustion-only buses.[5]

The latest generation of Neoplan Centroliner is based on the Lion's City (Neoplan was also part of the Neoman Bus group).

Integral variants

Codes inside parentheses are internal codes that identify some technical characteristics of the variants, like length/wheelbase, number of axles, floor height, width, engine arrangement and so on. Some codes are unique to one variant, while others are shared between variants. Some variants have changed from one code to another over time. These codes are sometimes mistakenly used as a model designation. One can find the codes in VINs (ie. WMAA21...) and in vehicle production serial numbers (ie. A210012).

Current

City (low-floor)
  • Lion's City, known as NL xx3 1997–2004 - 12 m single-decker[6]
    • horizontal engine (A21)
    • vertical engine (A37), since 2002[7]
  • Lion's City Hybrid (A37) - 12 m hybrid single-decker
  • Lion's City C (A26, A36 since 2013) - 13.7 m single-decker
  • Lion's City L (A26), known as NL xx3 - 15 m 1998–2004, Lion's City LL 2004–2009 - 14.7 m single-decker[6]
  • Lion's City G (A23), known as NG xx3 1998–2004 - 18 m articulated[6]
  • Lion's City GL (A23, A40 since 2011) - 18.75 m articulated
  • Lion's City M - 10.5 m midibus
    • 2.38 m wide (A35)
    • 2.5 m wide (A47)
City (low-entry)
  • Lion's City LE (A78), known as EL xx3 2003–2004, Lion's City T 2004–2008 - 12m single-decker[6]
    • version based on standard low-floor, horizontal engine platform (A21), including CNG version, available since 2011(?)
    • version for South African market - bodied on 18.280 HOCL-NL/R (A84) chassis by MAN South Africa in Olifantsfontein since 2011[8][9]
  • Lion's City C LE (A26, A45 since 2013?) - 13.7 m single-decker
  • Lion's City L LE (A26, A44 since 2012?) - 14.7 m single-decker
  • Lion's City G LE (A42) - 18 m articulated
  • Lion's City GL LE (A49) - 18.75 m articulated
Intercity (low-floor)
  • Lion's City Ü (A20), known as NÜ xx3 1996–2004 - 12m single-decker
Intercity (low-entry)
  • Lion's City LE Ü (A78), known as EL xx3 2003–2004, Lion's City TÜ 2004–2008 - 12m single-decker[6]

Discontinued

City (low-floor)
  • Lion's City DD (A39) - 13.73 m double-decker
  • Lion's City GXL (A43) - 20.45 m articulated
  • Lion's City M, known as NM xx3 and EM xx3 until 2005 - 8.13 m to 11.21 m midibus, bodied on 10/11.xxx HOCL (469), 12.xxx HOCL-NL (A76), 14.xxx HOCL-NL (A66) and NL xx3 F (A22) chassis by Göppel Bus[6]
Intercity (low-floor)
  • Lion's City ÜLL (A25), known as NÜ xx3 - 15 m 1998–2004 - 14.7 m single decker[6]

Type designation system

The type designations were used to define all models prior to 2004. With the introduction of the model names in 2004, the system is still in use on all vehicles, but is more for internal use. In most cases it can be found on the plate inside the bus where one find the VIN.

Floor height
  • N: Low-floor bus (German: Niederflur)
  • E: Low-entry bus (Some low-entry versions have letter N instead when they are built technically similar to the low-floor version.)
Adaption
  • D: Double-decker bus (German: Doppeldeckerbus)
  • G: Articulated bus (German: Gelenkbus)
  • L: Rigid bus (no special adaption) (German: Linienbus)
  • M: Midibus
  • Ü: Intercity bus (German: Überlandbus)
Power code
  • xx: First two digits of power output in hp (nearest ten)
  • 3: third generation
  • F: Denotes that it is built as a chassis for external bodywork (German: Fahrgestell)

This means that a ND363F has a power output of 360 hp.

Chassis variants (for external bodywork)

MAN ND313F / ND363F (A34)
MAN ND243F / ND283F (A48)
MAN ND323F / ND363F (A95)
KMB's ND313F with Neoplan Centroliner bodywork.
Overview
Manufacturer MAN
Production
  • 2003-2006 (A34)
  • 2006-2010 (A48)
  • 2014-present (A95)
Body and chassis
Class Bus chassis
Body style Double-decker bus
Doors 1 or 2 doors
Floor type Low floor
Related MAN NDxx3 Lion's City DD (A39)
Powertrain
Engine
  • A34 (Euro III):
  • MAN D2866LUH24 (ND313F), D2866LUH29 (ND363F)
  • A48 (Euro IV):
  • MAN D0836LOH51 (ND283F)
  • A95 (Euro V):
  • MAN D2066LUH32 (ND323F), D2066LUH33 (ND363F)
  • A95 (Euro VI):
  • MAN D2066LUH51 (ND323F)
Power output 240-360 hp
Transmission Voith DIWA
ZF EcoLife
Dimensions
Length 10.85m (2-Axle)
12m, 12.8m (3-Axle)
Width 2.55m
Height 4.1m, 4.2m, 4.3m, 4.4m
Reading Buses ND283F with East Lancs Kinetec+ bodywork.

Low-floor chassis variants are offered for external bodywork by local bodywork manufacturers. Most are bodied in the local manufacturer's own styling, but some are licensed to replicate the Lion's City bodywork, usually in markets where MAN don't sell the integral variants. This includes the East Lancs Kinetec for the UK market, which only replicate the front part. Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia replicate the whole bodywork for their buses sold in Asia Pacific market, including the Lion's City Hybrid bodywork mounted on conventional diesel chassis.

MAN ND313F / ND363F (A34)

The MAN ND313F and MAN ND363F, with the chassis code A34, is a tri-axle 12-metre chassis. A total number of 27 chassis were built between 2003 and 2006.

In 2003, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) of Hong Kong received one MAN ND313F with Neoplan Centroliner N4426 bodywork, it received fleet number APM1 and registration number LE4612, entering service later in the same year. The bus remained unique in Kowloon Motor Bus fleet.

25 ND363F received Ayats coach bodywork, and were delivered to Ulsterbus of Northern Ireland in 2006.

MAN ND243F / ND283F (A48)

In 2006, a 10.85-metre two-axle version was launched as the MAN ND243F and MAN ND283F, with chassis code A48.

One ND283F received a East Lancs Kinetec+ bodywork, which had a front similar to that of MAN Lion's City.

Two more ND283F test chassis were built, but no ND243F.

MAN ND323F / ND363F (A95)

In 2013, a new double deck chassis based on the A22-series low floor single-decker chassis was launched as the MAN ND323F and MAN ND363F, with a new chassis code A95. Currently, the bodywork of all A95 buses are built by Gemilang Coachworks and are based on the licensed MAN Lion's City DD design, and is also marketed in various markets as the MAN Lion's City DD for the 12 m long variant and the MAN Lion's City DD L for the 12.8m long variant. A concept bodywork design was unveiled in 2015, in the form of a 3 door bus built for Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA). Currently, a refreshed design based on the concept is being adopted on the newer buses. In addition, the Australian market buses feature a different rear end design as compared to those sold in other markets.

Singapore

In November 2014, the first production ND323F started trial service with SMRT Buses. In August 2015, 16 additional MAN ND323F buses were brought in by SMRT after the successful trial run.

A further 60 units were brought in by Land Transport Authority (LTA), as part of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). These 60 units contain the same specifications as previous units ordered by SMRT Buses, with the exception of the tree-guard and the last 10 units being equipped with USB ports to enable charging of mobile devices. The first 15 buses were painted in SMRT's corporate livery, while the rest featured LTA's green livery. All of these buses are currently assigned to SMRT Buses.

In late 2015, a 12.8 m long MAN ND323F with 3 doors and 2 staircases was built for the LTA, featuring an updated concept bodywork design.[11][12]

In September 2016, LTA ordered another 122 MAN ND323Fs that were put into service in 2017. These buses contain similar specifications as the earlier order but with an updated bodywork design, with the first 30 units being based on the concept and the rest with the refreshed design.[13][14]

On 27 May 2018, first 6 production Euro 6 buses were began operation on Service 851e on SBS Transit. On 11 July 2018, Land Transport Authority purchased 111 fifth batch buses, to be delivered from 2019.

Hong Kong

In August 2014, New Lantau Bus (NLB) purchased 10 ND323Fs. They were delivered to Hong Kong in June and August 2015 respectively. Moreover,in 2017,NLB purchased 16 ND363F with Lion's city DD facelift body, they were delivered to Hong Kong since November 2017 and registered since February 2018.Finally,NLB increasing the order to add another 27 vehicles.

In May 2015, an ND363F was delivered to Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) of Hong Kong and was first used during August 2015. In October 2015, KMB placed an order for 20 ND323Fs before increasing the order to add another 80 vehicles.

New World First Bus also ordered a 12.8m long ND323F.[15].

New China Lane Travel, To Yo Travel and Goldspark Hong Kong Tours have also ordered ND323Fs in open top form.

Australia

In 2017, State Transit purchased 38 Gemilang Coachworks bodied MAN A95s for its Sydney B-Line service.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Linienbusse" (in German). MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. Archived from the original on 13 April 1997.
  2. ↑ "MAN: Fuel Cell City Bus (2000)". netinform - Wasserstoff und Brennstoffzellen. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "MAN: low floor bus with FC and LH2 (2001)". netinform - Wasserstoff und Brennstoffzellen. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010.
  4. ↑ "Premiere in Helsinki: MAN Lion's City Hybrid-Stadtbus der neuesten Generation" (PDF) (in German). Neoman Bus Gruppe. 22 May 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2008.
  5. ↑ "Hybrid drive". MAN Truck & Bus. Archived from the original on 25 August 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "MAN Bus Program" (PDF). MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2005.
  7. ↑ "IAA 2002 - MAN Bus-Highlights" (PDF) (in German). MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2004.
  8. ↑ "MAN A84 - 18.280 HOCL-NL Lion's City LE" (PDF). MAN Truck & Bus (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd.
  9. ↑ "Olifantsfontein". MAN Truck & Bus (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  10. 1 2 "MAN bus chassis – Programme 2008/2009" (PDF). MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2009.
  11. ↑ "MAN Lion's City DD L Mock-up Bus". Land Transport Guru. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  12. ↑ Singapore authority assesses three-door double-decks Bus & Coach Professional 6 May 2016
  13. ↑ "MAN A95 (ND323F)". Land Transport Guru. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "The lion is roaring in Singapore". MAN SE. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  15. ↑ Hong Kong Buses Yearbook 2016, Northcord International Limited, ISBN 9789629200473, pages 30 to 41.
  16. ↑ MAN double-deckers for Sydney Northern Beaches Australasian Bus & Coach 15 September 2016
  17. ↑ Sydney Metro MAN A95 buses delivered Australasian Bus & Coach 30 November 2017
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