Alexander Dennis Enviro200

Alexander Dennis Enviro200
Interior of the Enviro200
Overview
Manufacturer Alexander Dennis
Production 2003–present
Body and chassis
Doors 1 or 2 doors
Floor type Low floor
Chassis Alexander Dennis Enviro200
MAN 14.240
BYD K9
Powertrain
Engine Cummins ISBe (ADL Enviro200)
MAN D0836 LOH 52 (MAN 14.240)
Capacity Various, dependant on length and specification
Power output 140 horsepower (100 kW) to 240 horsepower (180 kW)
Transmission Allison, Voith, ZF
Dimensions
Length 8.9 metres (29 ft) to
11.8 metres (39 ft)
Width 2,440 millimetres (8.01 ft)
Height 2,860 millimetres (9.38 ft)
Curb weight 13–14.4 tonnes
Chronology
Predecessor Dennis Dart SLF
Alexander ALX200
Plaxton Pointer
Alexander Dennis Enviro300

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 (previously known as the TransBus Enviro200) is a bus manufactured by TransBus International and later Alexander Dennis since 2003. The original TransBus Enviro200 design was innovative but ultimately unsuccessful, with few being sold before the introduction of the second generation Enviro200 (originally referred to as the Enviro200 Dart) revived sales for the product from 2006. It was supposed to be positioned in between a minibus and a rigid single-decker bus.

The Enviro200 was originally designed to be the replacement for the Dennis Dart SLF chassis and Alexander ALX200 and Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies. In 2014, a third generation version of the Enviro200 was launched, known as the Enviro200 MMC, replacing the original Enviro200 and Enviro300.[1]

Over 6,000 Enviro200s have been built as of July 2017.[2] While most have been for British operators, examples have been exported to Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Spain.[3][4][5] Since 2017, the Enviro200 is also marketed in North America. Previously, a licence-built version of the model was built by New Flyer Industries and branded the MiDi.

First generation (2003–2007)

First generation Enviro200 at Cobham Bus Rally in 2013.

The first generation Enviro200, then known as the TransBus Enviro200, was unveiled at Coach & Bus 2003 by the vehicle's then-manufacturer, TransBus International. Two diesel trial buses were initially produced for display in 2003.

The first generation Enviro200 was unique in that it had a door both at the front and at the rear of the bus, as such a layout is rare in the UK - most dual-door buses in the UK have a door at the front and another door around the centre of the bus. This door layout was achieved by placing the engine vertically at the rear offside together with other driveline components, which also created a full low floor layout, common on buses in Continental Europe. The vehicle also incorporated an "Enviro Pack", intended to vent exhaust emissions, noise and heat away from ground level and thus alighting passengers.

The innovative design meant that the Enviro200 could hold up to 25% more passengers than a vehicle of equivalent dimensions (10.4m long, 2.4m wide), with a capacity of 77, with 27 seated.

Rear view of a first generation Enviro200H, showing how the rear doors are arranged. This arrangement proved unpopular, and the type was a commercial failure.

A single demonstrator of the hybrid variant, the Enviro200H, was produced in 2004 and entered long-term trials in London; however the unconventional engine and door layout, combined with the collapse of TransBus International in 2004, led to the type's commercial failure. As a result, it was the VDL SB120-based Wright Electrocity hybrid electric single-decker bus that was ordered instead by many operators.

Following the collapse of TransBus, the Enviro200 was rebranded as the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 by Alexander Dennis, the successor to TransBus. Only two more first generation Enviro200s were built following the collapse of TransBus, one diesel and one hybrid vehicle, delivered to Far East Travel of Ipswich in early 2007. This pair, and the original London demonstrator, have since passed to Buses Excetera of Guildford.

The first generation Enviro200 was offered alongside the second generation Enviro200 Dart for a time, but received no further orders following 2007 and was retired in favour of the new model. Only five examples were built.

Second generation (2006–2017)

A second generation Enviro200 operated by Arriva Yorkshire.

The second generation Enviro200 was launched in August 2006; it was initially referred to as the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart, to prevent confusion with the first generation Enviro200, which remained in production alongside the Enviro200 Dart for a time.

The "Dart" in the name refers to the Dennis Dart, with the Enviro200 Dart going back to a more traditional design than the innovative (but ultimately unsuccessful) first generation Enviro200, being loosely based on the later Alexander Dennis Dart SLF design which the Enviro200 Dart replaced. The "Dart" was soon dropped from the name, however. The Enviro200 body replaced the Plaxton Pointer and Alexander ALX200.

The second generation Enviro200 retained the conventional rear-engined layout of the Dennis Dart, and was offered with a choice of four or six-cylinder Cummins ISBe Euro IV engines with a range of transmission options, and featured new front and rear axles. It also offered the same seating capacity of the Pointer at launch, but with more fixed seats rather than 'tip up' seats for each length. The vehicle also featured integrated chassis and body multiplexing, and cantilevered seats, to reduce weight. Externally, the bus features the same front panel as the double-deck Enviro400, projecting a "family look" onto the two models.

The Enviro200 chassis was also soon made available with Optare Esteem and MCV Evolution bodywork; this was followed in February 2007 by the launch of the Enviro200 body on MAN 14.240 chassis. This gave prospective operators the option of EGR emissions reduction for the Enviro200, as some operators prefer this technology to Cummins' SCR used on the integral design.

In August 2007, due to significant orders for the Enviro400, Alexander Dennis announced that the production of Enviro200 would be moved from its plant at Falkirk to the recently acquired Plaxton factory at Scarborough. This meant that the Scarborough factory would once again be producing the bodywork for a variation of the Dart chassis, while also producing the bodywork for the MAN 14.240 with both Plaxton Centro and Enviro200 bodies simultaneously.

In 2008, Alexander Dennis unveiled the hybrid-electric powered version of Enviro200, known as the Enviro200H, using BAE Systems's HybriDrive series drive system with the Cummins ISBe 4-cylinder engine fitted for power generation.[6]

2009 facelift

A facelifted second generation Enviro200 operated by Go Goodwins.

In 2009, the second generation Enviro200 received a facelift in order to allow the type to comply with European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) regulations. Some of the major external changes included the introduction of white LED daytime running lights below the headlights, the relocation of the offside emergency door, redesigned front and rear bumpers and the introduction of several new Enviro200 lengths.

Production alongside the third generation Enviro200 MMC continues, with the second generation Enviro200 now referred to by Alexander Dennis as the Enviro200 Classic. The second generation Enviro200 will be retired in favour of the MMC in 2017.

Third generation (2015–present)

Alexander Dennis unveiled the third generation Enviro200, also known as the Enviro200 MMC (short for Major Model Change), at the Birmingham Euro Bus Exhibition in November 2014. The first Enviro200 MMC entered service with National Express West Midlands in May 2015.[7]

Following the successful trial of two integral BYD electric buses in London since 2014, Go-Ahead London ordered 51 e-buses with Enviro200 MMC body in July 2015 for use on routes 507 and 521. It was be the first time ADL have bodied a BYD product.[8] Go-Ahead London will take delivery of a further 30 in 2018 for use on routes 153 and 214. Metroline have purchased 23 for use on route 46.[9]

North America

A Philly Phlash New Flyer MiDi bus in Philadelphia

In May 2012, Canadian bus manufacturer New Flyer introduced a license-built version of the second generation Enviro200 as the New Flyer MiDi,[10] suitably modified for the North American market.[11] New Flyer estimated the size of the market for a medium-sized bus at approximately 1,000 buses per annum.[10][11]

Until May 2017, the New Flyer MiDi was built at the New Flyer factory in St. Cloud, Minnesota,[11][12] and is fully "Buy America" compliant.[12] At that point, production was shifted to Alexander Dennis's own facility in Nappanee, Indiana, which has manufactured the North American variant of the Enviro500 double-decker bus since 2014. EPA approval gained by J Heitmann (UK) The product now carries the same Enviro200 branding as the international variant.[13]

Currently, the third-generation North American version of the Enviro200 bus is offered in 30 feet (9.1 m) and 35 feet (11 m) lengths,[10][12] with or without a rear alighting door, and with a 250-hp Cummins ISB engine and an Allison B300R 6-speed gearbox.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "An operator's bus – Alexander Dennis Limited's new Enviro400". An operator’s bus – Alexander Dennis Limited’s new Enviro400. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 5 Nov 2014.
  2. ↑ Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Dart Bus Fleets on the Web
  3. ↑ Shoal Bus Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  4. ↑ "KCRC purchases the newest environmentally friendly buses". kcrc.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Export wins boost ADL order book to record £350m Alexander Dennis
  6. ↑ Buses Magazine December 2008, Issue 645
  7. ↑ http://www.alexander-dennis.com/products/enviro200-euro6/
  8. ↑ "BYD and ADL to build 51 electric buses for Go Ahead London :: Bus and Coach Professional". busandcoach.com. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Third BYD ADL E200 electric order for three routes" Coach & Bus Week issue 1300 18 July 2017 page 10
  10. 1 2 3 "New Flyer branching out to mid-sized buses". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  11. 1 2 3 "Midi-bus could be big boost". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "New Flyer MiDi" (PDF). New Flyer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  13. ↑ Peat, Chris (2017-05-11). "ADL takes the reins in North America". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 2017-11-20.

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