UNVI L24 midicoach on DAF XB underframe coming to UK market
UNVI and dealership Coachtraders will use Euro Bus Expo to debut a new L24 front-engined midicoach on the DAF XB chassis at 16,000kg GVW.
It will be built at 9.35m with a maximum of 35 seats or 37 in a more basic arrangement, and at 10.5m with space for 41 or 45 passengers.
PSVAR compliance will be available on each variant and manufacture of the first vehicles was well underway in late September. Coachtraders has already sold 16 of the type, Director Gordon Robertson advises.
While the L24 has echoes of a left-hand drive midicoach already built by UNVI, the model has been developed and uprated specifically for right-hand drive requirements.
The XB underframe will be powered by the Paccar PX-7 engine developing 257bhp in the shorter L24 and 287bhp in the longer variant. Power will be taken via a ZF PowerLine fully automatic gearbox.
Of the L24 midicoaches sold already, Mr Robertson advises that seven are for one customer. “We wanted to adapt the existing body, which is smaller, to suit our needs and the XB was the frontrunner for that,” he continues. “We will build the L24 only on the DAF for the UK market.”
The L24 acts as a replacement for Touring GT and Voyager GT bodies previously produced by UNVI on the Mercedes-Benz Atego. That chassis has been dropped from the line-up and when combined with the DAF underframe and automatic gearbox, dealer Coachtraders is confident of sales success for the newcomer.
Use of a 16,000kg base vehicle will bring 19.5-inch wheels, air suspension on the rear axle, a large fuel tank and excellent luggage capacity, Mr Robertson says. He adds that particular care at the design stage has gone into the entrance around the engine area.
In addition to the L24, Coachtraders expects to have other members of the UNVI small coach line-up present, including the M20 on Iveco Daily chassis as a replacement for the Compa, along with examples of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based products from both UNVI and Paramount Conversions.
Euro Bus Expo is the UK's only dedicated coach and bus trade show. To register for free tickets, visit the show website.
Torbay Minibuses adds a pair of EVM Cityline low-floors
Torbay Minibuses of Brixham has taken delivery of a pair of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Cityline low-floor conversions, supplied by EVM UK.
Each has 16 seats trimmed in synthetic leather with additional padding and plastic backs. Six standing passengers can also be carried. USB charging points are fitted along with a luggage drop-cage to the left of the Masats 120cm-wide two-piece sliding passenger door.
Within the low-floor area is tracking to secure a wheelchair user, and side windows are double-glazed and panoramic. The OEM rear doors are retained, while on the roof is an Auto Clima 12kW saloon air-conditioning unit. It is complemented by convector heater radiators.
Other elements of the passenger specification are wood-effect Tarabus flooring and speakers that are connected to a multimedia system with a seven-inch screen. The driver benefits from a reversing camera.
Externally, the Torbay Minibuses pair have colour-coded skirts, bumpers, side mouldings and grille. Euroliner wheel trims are also fitted. The 517CDi base vehicle has been used, with the 2.0-litre OM 654 engine coupled to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox.
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Van Hool T coach range to be retained under VDL ownership
Confirmation that the Van Hool T range of coaches will largely continue in production under VDL ownership has been received after several months of uncertainty.
A new VDL Van Hool website and brochures with branding from both businesses show that the T15 Acron two-axle and T16 Astron and T17 Astron tri-axles remain on offer in left- and right-hand drive alongside the established TDX21 Altano overdecker and TDX27 Astromega double-decker. A T17 Acron and TDX25 Astromega will also be built in left-hand drive only.
The EX range is not mentioned on the new website. It is understood that the EX will come to an end after deliveries of residual coaches conclude. The 10.8m T11 Acron is similarly absent, suggesting that it too will not be retained.
Commenting on the development, a VDL spokesperson has told routeone: "Our position since the acquisition has been that we continue to carry the Van Hool brand. That has not changed.
"The models on our new VDL Van Hool website are the models we are now continuing with. Just two of the chosen models are not right-hand drive."
A confirmed future for the T line-up represents a turnaround from a position shared with Van Hool customers in the UK earlier in 2024 after VDL purchased parts of the Van Hool coach and bus business out of bankruptcy.
At that time, at least one customer was told that the T16 Astron would be dropped and that a risk existed of the T range in its entirety coming to an end. More recently, that position looked to have been reversed after strong hints were heard of a future for the T after all.
It is understood that a decision by VDL to take the latter option came in recognition of the T range’s versatility across multiple use cases, including those at the top of the market. The line-up debuted in late 2022.
The new website indicates that sales of Van Hool coaches are currently being handled centrally from the manufacturer's premises at Koningshooikt in Belgium, that formed part of the sale to VDL.
However, it advises that “if available,” enquirers will be passed to local sales points. VDL Bus and Coach UK has been handling pre-delivery work on T coaches that are for delivery to buyers here.
VDL Van Hool will attend Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 12-14 November, where it is to show a T16 Astron and a TDX21 Altano.