MANUFACTURER › WRIGHTBUS encapsulation with noise absorption material reduces noise emissions. Wrightbus will also be bodying the Euro 6 Volvo B8RLE single-decker and SB200 – underlining another longstanding relationship that continues with VDL – although, understandably, it’s keen to promote the virtues of its own in-house product, the lightweight StreetLite available in lengths from 8.8m to 11.5m. VDL is selling a bespoke left-hand drive StreetLite range in Europe as the Citea MLE. Launched at Busworld, Kortrijk, an order for two has already been taken. At Euro 6, StreetLite is available with either a Cummins or a Daimler engine. The 4.5-litre Cummins ISB engine, developed from the lightweight 3.8L ISF, is 800mm long and uses a combination of EGR and SCR. It’s rated at 160bhp, 185bhp and 207bhp, and at 395kg is 50kg lighter than its Euro 5 predecessor although is similar in size, shape and mounting arrangement. The 5.1-litre Daimler OM934 is available at 175bhp or 208bhp. Gearbox is the Voith DIWA.6 four-speed.
Making fuel saving a priority
Wrightbus Engineering Director Brian Maybin explained why fuel efficiency has become so important to operators. “Since 2007 we have seen an ever increasing oil price, combined with a reduction in Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), increasing the effective cost per litre fuel price by somewhere in the region of 10% per annum,” he said. “If that continues, operators could be paying around £1.20 per litre of diesel by mid-2016. “This means that a typical double-deck bus, with an annual mileage of 60,000 miles and a fuel consumption of 5mpg could be consuming over £1m worth of fuel over a 15 year life. That’s a huge cost and explains why seeking fuel efficiencies on behalf of our customers has been our number one priority over recent years. “Euro 6 engine technology is just one aspect of our on-going focus on fuel efficiency. The deployment of lightweight materials – such as composites, adoption of the latest gearbox technology, the development of hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles as well as Micro Hybrid and Flywheel KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) technology all have roles to play, dependent upon the size of vehicle and type of application.” Wrightbus developed a hybrid driveline modelling and simulation tool with the help of Queen’s University, Belfast in 2010 and has used it successfully to refine the firm’s third generation HEV driveline for the New Bus for London (NBfL). Taking the emissions from a Euro 5 Gemini 2DL as 100% benchmark, the resulting component optimisation has seen CO reduced to 3%, HC 0%, NOx 26%, PM 23% and CO2 53%. A diesel driveline modelling and simulation tool is close to completion. Over the past five years FirstGroup has developed a consistent and representative drive cycle at Millbrook Proving Ground which Wrightbus is also using. To comply with the drive cycle vehicles need to be able to reach 60mph and tackle a 21% gradient with ease. On average, a one tonne reduction in vehicle weight will lead to an 8% improvement in fuel 18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | December 4, 2013 016_020_CBW1116_Wrightbus.indd 18
Wrightbus: Building international business Wright Group Managing Director Mark Nodder underlined the imperative to Wrightbus of developing export business with a clear target that 50% of turnover should be generated from beyond the UK within five years. Wrightbus International headed by Damian McGarry was set up as a separate business unit in August 2012 and already has offices in Singapore and Hong Kong. Business Development Director is Steve Harper who worked for Mitsubishi Materials in Japan and Singapore before working for Powerscreen, McCormick Macnaughton and The McAvoy Group. Agreement has been reached with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) to collaborate on a range of single-deck vehicles with Wrightbus-designed Aluminique-framed bodies that will be manufactured in Chennai for the Indian market. First prototypes are expected within the next 12 months. Indigenised materials will be sourced in India. The Guangtong Automobile Company (GT Bus) in Zhuhai, China will start to assemble the first of 60 bodies on Euro 5 tri-axle Volvo B9TL for KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus) early next year. GT Bus is doing the same in a separate factory for Alexander Dennis.
Other opportunities have been identified in the Middle and Far East. South America represents another prospect and a close eye is being kept on North America, a market with which Wright’s is already familiar. It’s not just about complete vehicle building. Wrightbus is using its growing contacts globally to build supply chains that can benefit its domestic business as well as those it’s involved with abroad. NBfL’s participation in the GREAT Britain campaign (see the Big Picture in this issue) is helping to raise the profile of the Northern Ireland manufacturer around the world and the opportunity is being taken to talk to potential build partners as well as customers. “We are building on a well-established track record in Asia, where we already have more than 1,000 vehicles in operation in Singapore and Hong Kong,” said Mark. “Opportunities in both cities are continuing to grow. Our work with Volvo in Singapore and Hong Kong, DICV and Guangtong Bus in China illustrates Wrightbus International’s strategy of growth through the development of key partnerships that deliver innovation to meet regional requirements.”
StreetDeck, the Wrightbus Euro 6 complete decker, will be powered by a Daimler OM934 engine
consumption, explained Brian. The eight-tonne 11.5m StreetLite Max, for example, can deliver a 21% fuel saving compared to a 10.6-tonne single-decker. Weight reduction can be achieved through a reduction in the conventional materials used and through alterative lightweight materials although they can be more expensive, as was the case with composites used for the rear section of the NBfL. Wrightbus is currently involved in three Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre R & D projects to develop structural composites for bus applications, but Brian said that a complete composite bus was probably still a decade away. Under evaluation is the Daimler G90 six-speed
Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). On the face of it, an unusual choice for city bus applications, but its trial follows the successful testing of another AMT in StreetLite. The G90 is more sophisticated and durable than its G85 predecessor, but if adopted, will only be available with the Daimler engine.
Fresh hybrid thinking
Wrightbus’ Micro Hybrid developed for Euro 5 StreetLite stores braking energy that’s used to power pneumatics, the electrical system and optimise the electric radiator fan as well as the electric CAC fan – ancillaries that would otherwise draw power from the engine. Priced between £6,000-9,000,
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02/12/2013 18:57