Rainbow Line takes delivery of an AOS Grand Toro midicoach
Rainbow Line of East Ham has welcomed an AOS Grand Toro midicoach, supplied by EVM UK.
It is a 37-seater and finished in iridium silver. The vehicle has a powered plug door with a three-stage step and a front-mounted Cummins B4.5 engine driving through an Allison automatic gearbox.
Each passenger position reclines and is finished in synthetic leather. Three-point belts and aisle-side armrests are included. The driver’s seat is trimmed in cloth.
A multimedia system is integrated into the dash, including radio, MP3, SD card, USB, DVD and Bluetooth inputs along with a hand microphone.
A reversing camera is also incorporated into the Rainbow Line vehicle, as is dual dash and saloon air-conditioning. The latter vents via passenger service units on the underside of the luggage racks. Convector heaters complement the climate control and a Webasto coolant pre-heater is fitted.
On the exterior, double-glazed side windows are in a privacy dark smoke. The rear boot gives extensive luggage space, which is furthered via lockers on both sides. A two-year or 200,000km warranty conversion completes the product.
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VDL Bus Group launched to capture two 'complementary' brands
The VDL Bus Group identity was launched at Busworld, with that organisation capturing the VDL and Van Hool complementary brands.
Described as an “integrated” company, it has brought together the former VDL Bus and Coach and VDL Van Hool operations. The latter was formed in 2024 when VDL purchased parts of the former Van Hool coach and bus business after its collapse.
Alongside the first two VDL Futura 3 coaches as part of that model’s global launch and a VDL Citea CLE-135 battery-electric bus, a pair of Van Hool coaches were displayed on the VDL Bus Group stand in Brussels.
Material shows how Van Hool coaches for the European market have gained revised model descriptors to bring them more into line with the established VDL approach, including an indicator of length within that terminology.
Of the line-up launched as the T range by Van Hool and retained under VDL ownership, Acron models are now known as the THD-125 and THD-143 for the two-axle 12.5m and three-axle 14.3m examples, with the latter built only in left-hand drive.
Astron super-high coaches are now the TSD-134 and TSD-143, while the established Altano overdecker is the TOD-144 in its right-hand drive configuration and TOD-146 for left-hand drive.
The Astromega double-decker is now the TDD-142 in right-hand drive, with left-hand drive applications met by the TDD-131 and TDD-141. For North America, the CX45 sees no change.
On the VDL Bus Group approach, Managing Director Marc van Doorn notes how each of the Van Hool and VDL brands have their own identity and focus.
Across coach and bus, the group expects to close 2025 on over 1,000 deliveries. Mr van Doorn says it wants to grow that number next year, although he adds that conditions in the United States market are challenging. Van Hool coaches will continue to be built at the plant in North Macedonia that came with last year’s purchase.
Irizar i3 Normal Floor electric low-height coach expected for UK
Irizar has launched an i3 Normal Floor battery-electric low-height coach that the builder expects to come to the UK in due course.
The product debuts at Busworld in 12.2m, two-axle form, although Irizar says other lengths will follow. As shown, it has 528kWh of battery capacity using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, although other battery choices will come as the breadth of the model expands.
Up to 53 passengers can be carried. The show example has a Masats passenger lift at its broad centre nearside door, with room for a wheelchair user directly opposite.
A range of up to 450km is claimed by Irizar. Six battery packs are fitted: two at the rear, and four on the roof. Charging is via CCS2 at up to 150kW, with front or rear connection options. The model is also compatible with pantograph-based opportunity replenishment at 300kW.
Irizar Group CEO Imanol Rego says arrival of the i3 Normal Floor “completes the offer of the i3 [range]," which thus far has been deployed in low-entry bus applications. He adds that growth of the Spanish OEM's zero-emission range continues a path of decarbonisation “with a technological neutrality.”
Over seven cubic metres of underfloor luggage space is included, with options of manual or powered bay doors. That is part of what Irizar says is “a completely vanguard design” to maximise passenger and baggage space.
Drive is taken via a 260kW motor coupled to a three-speed gearbox. The manufacturer adds that it has worked hard on the vehicle to leverage serviceability. All electronics are within the interior and not outside the cabin.
Some components in the i3 Normal Floor are shared with other Irizar products. The new model will be available only with a camera monitoring system; no rear-view mirror fitment is expected. It also complies with EU R29 regulations on driver and passenger protection in a head-on collision.
On right-hand drive plans, Irizar Export Sales Director Javier Goikoetxea notes that “there is a demand” in the UK for such a coach, although he cautions that coming of a right-hand drive variant will follow work in left-hand drive.
Mr Goikoetxea adds that development of the Irizar i6S Efficient Hydrogen fuel cell-electric high-floor coach continues. A prototype of that vehicle was shown at Busworld in 2023. The first example of a second-generation of the i6S Efficient Hydrogen is in build.