Scania Touring – new global coach range with special appeal
Scania is launching a new coach designed for occasional service. Scania Touring is built in partnership with the Chinese bus bodybuilder Higer, which has been found to possess the know-how, quality and capacity required to match Scania’s bus and coach expansion strategy. Parts and service support will be secured via Scania’s regular sales and service network. Scania Touring will be followed by other models in due course.
Melker Jernberg, Senior Vice President Scania Buses and Coaches:
“Scania has found a perfect partner for its global expansion strategy. The partnership with Higer provides Scania with a platform to satisfy the needs of new and existing markets. This also means that Scania Touring will be followed by other models in due course.
“Build quality, fit and finish, as well as reliability and durability in severe endurance tests have surpassed our expectations. Jointly with Higer, Scania’s team of stylists have created a coach with a distinct Scania character.
“The new coach combines fuel efficiency with low life cycle cost. Scania Touring customers will enjoy support from a single point of contact, with parts, maintenance and repairs available via Scania’s regular sales and service network.
“We are now concluding preparations for the market introduction in early 2010. Scania Touring sales will start in the central parts of Europe and gradually expand towards the west, south and north. There are also plans for an expansion into the Middle East and Africa, as well as some Asian markets.
“The introduction of the Scania Touring coincides with the launch of the next generation of Scania Opticruise, our fully automated gearchanging system that is designed to provide a comfortable ride and a pleasant and relaxing drive,” concludes Mr Jernberg.
The Higer operations in Suzhou, Shanghai were established in 1998. With 4,000 employees, overall production capacity is 18,000 buses and coaches per year. Scania’s cooperation with Higer started five years ago, and in 2006 a new production line in a separate Scania workshop was built for the assembly of Scania Touring and other forthcoming Scania models. The ultimate annual capacity is 3,000 Scania buses and coaches.
Scania design
The Scania Touring HD 12-metre high-decker coach has been styled by Scania’s styling department and developed together with Higer. The styling conveys typical Scania traits like the rounded wedge-shape at the front and the rounded corners that reduce drag.
The detailing at the front and front light assemblies promote the Scania identity and harmonise with the lateral design. The wraparound windscreen and hidden A-pillars promote the distinctive lines flowing smoothly from the front into the window line along the sides. The sculpted wheel arches accentuate an eagerness to move ahead. The tail wraps up all styling elements into a statement of quality and solidity.
High standard, many options
The interior features 49 reclining passenger seats. A guide seat is mounted at the front. The luggage hatches open up pneumatically (option) to 9 cu m of luggage space, slightly less with the optional co-driver’s bunk.
The coach is available in two trim levels, Comfort and Premium, both including mid-mounted toilet cabinet and an optional kitchenette. A selection of co-ordinated colour schemes for panels and upholstery can be combined to provide a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Exclusive stitched leather upholstery with contrasting seams is optional.
Roof-mounted air conditioning and convector heating are standard, auxiliary heating an option. Side and rear windows are double-glazed and tinted. The AV equipment includes 17-inch LCD monitors at the front and in the centre.
The driver station with its sweeping dashboard line has driver-friendly ergonomics: ample seat and steering wheel adjustments will suit the frame of any driver. All seats in the coach have integrated seatbelts. Aft of the centre door is an optional co-driver’s bunk with an intercom facility to communicate with the driver.
Fully-automated gearchanging
The all-Scania powertrain comprises Euro 4 and Euro 5 engines from 380 up to 440 hp, a 12-speed gearbox, as well as a choice of fully automated or electronically controlled gearchanging. An overdrive version of the gearbox can be specified for relaxed and fuel-efficient high-speed cruising.
The coach has full air suspension, with optional independent suspension for the front wheels. Electronically controlled disc brakes with ABS are standard. The all-steel monocoque body complies with the strict European R66-01 regulation for rollover strength.
For more information and images:
Go to www.scania.com/media/B2009/ for the media site.
Contact:
Anders Dewoon, Sales Director Intercity and Coach,
tel. +46 70 538 21 03, email anders.dewoon@scania.com.
Per-Erik Nordström, Product Affairs, tel. +46 8 553 855 77,
email per-erik.nordstrom@scania.com.
Melker Jernberg, Head of Scania Buses and Coaches,
tel. +46 70 289 22 30, email melker.jernberg@scania.com.
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Scania Images at Flickr
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