Importer Pelican Bus and Coach has outlined its high hopes for the Yutong GT14 tri-axle diesel coach after the first of those arrived in the UK, with that work paralleling an overhaul of the TC9 midi and an entrance to the Irish market for the wider Yutong range.
The 14-metre GT14 sits alongside the battery-electric GTe14, but it is described by the dealership as a model that builds on the established GT12 two-axle diesel coach. The driveline chosen illustrates that.
While the GT14 has the 12.9-litre DAF MX-13 engine rated at 483bhp compared to the smaller MX-11 at 450bhp in the GT12, ZF axles and the EcoLife gearbox are common. All three GT-series models share much from a body perspective including panels and other parts.
Two layouts for the GT14 are on offer. One is a 57-seat configuration that Pelican believes will appeal to the tour market; the other has 61 seats to suit private hire and scheduled service use.
Positioning of the continental door differs between the pair to optimise legroom, and so reseating of one to the other will not be possible. Pelican expects most bought to come with the higher capacity. Both layouts have a centre sunken toilet.
Of orders for the GT14 placed already, 14 of an initial batch of 15 are in the UK with several handed over to customers. A further 10 are due in Q1 2026 and then another batch of the same size in Q2. To tie with an entry into Ireland, a 36th example is also in hand; unlike the UK units, it will comply with the EU General Safety Regulation.
Yutong GT14 focused on multiple coach use cases
PSVAR compliance in the GT14 when specified comes via a lift mounted over the drive axle, with a large one-piece door there. As with other coaches in the Yutong range, destination displays and the lift are fitted after arrival in the UK, but all preparatory work is carried out at the factory.
Also added in China during production is pre-wiring for the necessary equipment to comply with PSV Accessible Information Regulations requirements for next-stop announcements.
Pelican UK Coach and Truck Sales Manager Simon Collins notes how a single control unit governs the destination displays and next-stop information units, and that adding the wiring for the latter at build is much more cost-effective than retrofitting it later.
The GTe14 has a lift mounted at its large nearside centre door within the wheelbase and with internal steps, as befits a model first tilted at scheduled service work. Simon notes how at present there is no plan to offer that layout on the GT14, and vice-versa for the latter’s lift positioning to go into the GTe14.
The GT14 approach does not compromise underfloor luggage space, which stands at 11 cubic metres; that is viewed as important on a coach that is expected to appeal to tour work.
He adds that the GT14 also has potential for customisation to serve sports team applications, where maximising baggage capacity is also key. One of the first GT14s to arrive shows an unladen weight of 15,600kg, with GVW at 24,500kg.
‘Business class’ elements aspiration for cabin
In a further representation of development from the GT12, the newcomer has the same Yutong seat that goes into its two-axle sister, including identical trim combinations. That unit will also go into the next-generation TC9.
Interior lighting is cited by Pelican as a high spot of the GT14. It includes upwards facing perimeter illumination in the ceiling, similar along the length of both luggage racks, and downlighting within the windowsills.
That combines with wood-effect flooring and a similar, albeit lighter, approach within the panels beneath the windows to form what Simon says is an effort to replicate part of the full-service business class approach seen on premium airlines.
The lighting can display in various colours, and illuminated seat numbers within the luggage rack lips adds to the effect. Seats are to a high specification and have the full range of amenities including USB-A and USB-C charging points and lateral adjustment. 240-volt sockets are within the wall at each pair.
A cab layout like the GT12 is used, and not the GTe14. The latter majors on a tablet-based driver interface but the GT14 continues a more conventional approach. Simon notes how the diesel tri-axle is expected to appeal to existing GT12 customers, and thus driver familiarity is a consideration.
Standard on the newcomer is a camera monitoring system; conventional mirrors will not be offered. Beside the visibility and drag reduction benefits, maintenance costs are a factor. Pelican’s parts division supplies up to 10 mirror arms per month to replace those that have been damaged. The GT14 also comes with a 360-degree bird’s eye view via a dash screen.
Other elements of the new model include a high-specification Yutong driver’s seat, a Webasto coolant pre-heater, and a radiator arrangement with 10 small electrically powered fans. That allows airflow through the core and coolant temperature to be optimised while minimising power draw. Those fans will also come to the GT12.
Coach operator confidence coming quickly for GT14
While arrival of the GT14 further expands the Yutong coach offering in the UK, Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump hints that it may not be the last introduction to the range. He adds that the dealer saw rapid acceptance of the new model and that the first 25 have been sold ‘off plan’.
“Buyers are confident in the GT14, and they have found it instantly acceptable based on the success of the GT12,” Richard continues.
Simon adds that the mature position around the manufacturer’s products here and their high standard specification are further reasons for ongoing popularity. Although the market for 14m tri-axles is smaller than that for 12m two-axle coaches, it is expected that the GT14 will quickly cement itself.
Of those sold so far, most are to existing Yutong buyers, but Simon observes that around 30% have gone to conquest customers that have not run the marque until now. Multi-unit deals have also been done, and he notes that arrival of the diesel tri-axle has opened a new market in the UK to the brand.
Updated Yutong TC9 midi on the way soon
The GT14 is currently centre of attention for Yutong here, but other coach developments are in hand. Departure from China of the first of the next-generation TC9 midicoaches was imminent at the time of writing, with the final example of the existing variant having recently been delivered to Maynes Coaches.
Notably, the first batch of 50 new-shape TC9s are all sold and a further order of 15 has been placed by Pelican. A spike in TC9 deliveries is thus expected next year as the updated model comes online.
Simon observes how customer interest in the midi remains strong and that the revised variant offers multiple enhancements, including a slight length gain and an overhauled dash area.
A camera monitoring system for the TC9 is under development. Such a fitment is already optional on the GT12 and Simon believes that a position will be reached before too long where rear-view cameras are standard across the Yutong coach range here.
Ireland aims come into focus for Pelican
Sitting alongside work on products are plans for introduction of the Yutong coach range to Ireland. Pelican is working with dealer Central Bus and Coach in County Longford on that, but the Castleford business will also have its own dedicated salesperson in-country. Existing Area Sales Manager for Scotland Dale Ogg will add Northern Ireland to his territory.
The first coaches ordered specifically for Ireland with General Safety Regulation compliance included will arrive in Q1 2026. The GT12 and GT14 will come first, with the new TC9 to follow. In total, 24 are on order for Ireland and Simon anticipates up to 40 units per year as the likely fruits of that market.
On battery-electric coach, the low-height TCe12 and the large GTe14 continue to make headway. The latter has been a little slower to take root than Pelican had anticipated, but Simon says that the requirements for power in an operator’s depot is the restricting factor.
The GTe14’s minimum 563kWh of energy storage requires a strong connection, and some would-be purchasers have found that difficult to secure. Price of the electric tri-axle is not the constraining point, he believes.
Nevertheless, addition of its GT14 diesel counterpart means that the Yutong coach range in the UK has taken a further dimension. Whether its arrival represents a conclusion to the line-up’s expansion here remains to be seen, but the omens suggest not.