Wright Gemini 2

Wright Gemini 2
Arriva London Wright Gemini 2 DL at Clapton Pond in June 2011
Overview
Manufacturer Wrightbus
Production 2007 - 2013
Assembly Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors 1 or 2
Floor type Low floor
Chassis VDL DB300
Powertrain
Engine Gemini 2 DL:
Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder
Gemini 2 HEV:
Ford Sigma
Transmission Gemini 2 DL:
Voith / ZF Friedrichshafen
Dimensions
Length 9.4 to 10.6 metres
Width 2.52 metres
Height 4.23 or 4.40 metres
Chronology
Predecessor Wright Pulsar Gemini
Wright Pulsar Gemini HEV
Successor Wright StreetDeck

The Wright Gemini 2 was a double-decker bus built by Wrightbus between 2007 and 2013. It was announced in December 2007 but was not named until 2008. It was constructed as a semi-integral vehicle, with VDL DB300 chassis modules. The bodywork utilised some lighter materials so that the vehicle was lighter than the Eclipse Gemini and Pulsar Gemini bodied buses. It was available in two versions; the Gemini 2 DL diesel-powered version, and the Gemini 2 HEV diesel-electric hybrid version.

Versions

The Gemini 2 was launched in 2007 as the replacement for the Pulsar Gemini and one-off Pulsar Gemini HEV.[1] It was semi-integral, being based on the updated VDL DB300 chassis. The first two were produced with identical bodywork to the original Pulsar Gemini, however, on subsequent production models, the front and rear ends of the body were facelifted to match the Volvo based Eclipse Gemini 2. It was unveiled ar the Euro Bus Expo 2008 at the National Exhibition Centre in November 2008, with a First London Gemini 2 HEV appearing at the show.[2]

Gemini 2 DL

The Gemini 2 DL was offered with Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder engines with Voith or ZF Friedrichshafen gearboxes. A total of 462 Gemini 2 DLs were built between 2007 and 2013, mainly for Arriva, including 322 for its Arriva London subsidiary. First London and London General were the only other customers, taking four and one respectively.[3] A low height version with a flat roof was introduced in 2009 with Arriva North East and Arriva Yorkshire the first customers.[4]

Gemini 2 HEV

First London Wright Gemini HEV 2 on Kilburn High Road in May 2009

The Gemini 2 HEV was offered with a Siemens series hybrid drive system with a 2.4 litre 4-cylinder Ford Sigma engine for power generation.[5]

Ten Gemini 2 HEVs were built, Arriva London and First London each purchased five for use on routes 141 and 328.[3][6][7] Arriva's being sold to Ensignbus and later to Crosville Motor Services for use as open top buses in Weston-super-Mare while First's were transferred to First West of England and First York.[8]

In 2014, the Gemini 2 was superseded by the StreetDeck.

References

  1. ↑ New integrated Wright double-deck Bus & Coach Professional 13 December 2007
  2. ↑ Progressive partnership paves path to whole vehicle type approval Intelligent Transport 3 November 2010
  3. 1 2 Wright Gemini 2 Bus Lists on the Web
  4. ↑ Low-height integral bus from Wrightbus Bus & Coach Professional 14 October 2009
  5. ↑ Navarro, Xavier. "A hybrid bus that cuts fuel consumption in half". Autoblog. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Competition hots up on hybrids Bus & Coach Professional 21 November 2008
  7. ↑ New hybrid buses unveiled for London fleet Transport for London 2 December 2008
  8. ↑ "Crosville axes two Weston town services" Buses issue 745 April 2017 page 9

Further reading

Media related to Wright Gemini 2 DL at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Wright Gemini 2 HEV at Wikimedia Commons
Buses portal

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