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(Kortrijk, 15th October 2015) At Busworld 2015, Solaris presents further models of its new bus generation. The zero-emission new Urbino 12 electric as well as the new Urbino 12 LE designed mainly for suburban routes are to be seen at the biggest exhibition for buses and coaches in the world.
Having had its world premiere at IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hanover in 2014, Solaris’s new generation city buses in 12-metre as well as 18-metre versions have already found buyers in European countries and have been very well received by operators and passengers. At Busworld 2015, Solaris unveils further vehicles of the new Urbino family. The new battery-powered bus and the full-size low-entry bus represent the next stage of the major generation change Solaris has been making since last year.
New Solaris Urbino 12 electric
Emission-free and clean, the electric bus in Solaris’s new design constitutes the most innovative item in the Solaris portfolio. The benefits of the new Solaris construction such as light and rigid bodyframe, skin-on-skin panels assembly as well as ergonomic, spacious interior in combination with an exquisitely quiet and clean motor result in this extraordinary vehicle. The new Urbino 12 electric bodyframe is made from corrosive highly resistant materials. The significantly low weight and the robustness the bus provides are the perfect foundation for a high-quality, reliable and most of all low energy consuming electric bus.
To match the bus construction to the specific requirements of such a technologically advanced vehicle, the engineers provided the new Solaris Urbino electric with an additional steel profile aimed to protect the batteries in case of possible collision or accident.
The vehicle presented at the exhibition is equipped with Solaris high energy batteries which deliver 240 kWh and comply with the most rigorous safety standards. The set has been divided into six separate packs of 40 kWh each. 160 kWh are located at the rear of the vehicle, while the rest is mounted on the roof, over the first axle. This solution ensures proper load distribution on axles and furthermore provides additional room in the passenger compartment. The new 12-metre Urbino electric is fitted with the electric drive axle with axle-mounted motors, 125 kW maximum power each. This concept frees up space for passengers and significantly reduces the weight of the vehicle.
Thanks to the high-class electric equipment and the electric axle the drive is exceptionally quiet, smooth and devoid of vibrations. This is exactly why Solaris’s battery-powered bus is a perfect solution in the modern city environment, providing a positive travel experience even with large numbers of standing passengers on board.
The new Urbino 12 electric has been fitted with an innovative pantograph charging system. 450 kW power allows for a quick recharge of the batteries on route. A traditional plug-in connection has also been provided and can be used for overnight charging at the depot. Solaris offers many more configurations in that regard. Customers can also choose an inductive charging system. Furthermore, buses charged only via plug-in connection can at a later date be retrofitted with a pantograph on the roof, which significantly improves the buses’ performance.
The modern design well-known for the new generation of Solaris city buses has also been applied in the electric bus segment. The new construction owes its dynamic and even sporty character to clear and sharp and lines of the body. The change of the Urbino’s look is primarily to improve the bus’s functionality. One of the main objectives of the new design was to increase passengers’ comfort and the pleasure of their journey. They will certainly enjoy wider doors, which facilitate the exchange of passengers, as well as large windows and LED interior lighting, not to mention thirty-three seats, including sixteen pedestal-free seats. All these practical enhancements make the new Solaris a byword of comfort.
Thanks to its unique style, extraordinary performance results as well as low-cost exploitation and most of all almost unlimited functional capabilities, the new Urbino 12 electric is the perfect answer to the growing needs of dynamically developing metropolises. With newly built Solaris battery-powered bus inhabitants can take a clean, fresh breath while city operators can enjoy on average three times lower operating costs.
New Solaris Urbino 12 LE
The 12-metre low-entry bus in the new design is the latest addition to the Solaris intercity buses range. Thanks to the new concept of the bodyframe, the new Urbino 12 LE is significantly lighter than its predecessor, yet the passenger capacity has been increased.
The recently-launched new Solaris Urbino 12, the flagship product of the innovating manufacturer of city buses and trams, is a completely new design of a city bus, which provides robust rigidity while being significantly lighter in weight. As was the case for the low-floor Solaris city bus, “skin-on-skin” assembly technology was used while designing the new Urbino 12 LE. This solution not only facilitates a leaner manufacturing process, but also guarantees ease of servicing and highly distinguished aesthetics. The low-entry model has also been equipped with screw-fastened side panels which enable fast and easy installation and their fast replacement in case of any damage of the body.
By relieving the drive axle in the new Urbino 12 LE, Solaris engineers were able to improve axle loads. Much better parameters in this regards have been possible thanks to moving all the air tanks to the front part of the vehicle and by positioning fuel tanks on the front wheel arches. Also relevant is that the low-entry version has been prepared to accommodate Euro 6 engines of various capacities. The model which is presented at the Busworld exhibition is equipped with a Cummins ISB6.7 engine which fits perfectly with the light construction of the new Urbino. Customers can also choose a bigger and stronger device, the DAF/Paccar MX-11 engine.
The new Urbino 12 LE stands out in terms of its comfortable and ergonomic interior. Passengers will certainly benefit from the spacious and increased room as well as wider and higher doors, the second of which has been moved further to the back. Noteworthy is the easy access to the very spacious rear and the six rows of comfortable seats adapted especially to longer, suburban routes which are placed there. Solaris engineers made sure that the access from the low-floor part of the bus to the rear was comfortable and easy.
By the fact that the widely-recognised and award-winning exterior and interior of the new family of Solaris buses have been unified, operators will be able to use many identical components and spare parts for different models of Urbino. Not to mention getting undeniable aesthetic advantages.
Concept midibus
During Busworld 2015, Solaris also will present a new concept midibus which will be used to evaluate the manufacturer’s response to various market needs.
Based on the DAF LF truck chassis, which guarantees stable construction and access to the service network around the globe, the concept bus is equipped with the powerful and reliable four-cylinder 4.5 litre PACCAR PX-5 engine and automated AS-Tronic gear box. Importantly, thanks to the fact that the propulsion source meets the most restrictive Euro 6 standard, the midibus is environmentally-friendly, allowing low fuel consumption at the same time.
In addition, the bus is of a high standard of quality, has a bright, air-conditioned and well soundproofed interior. Ergonomic overhead luggage racks as well as comfortable seats guarantee that even longer distances will be covered by passengers with pleasure.
Like the new Solaris Urbino, the midibus is kept in a futuristic and modern design. 8.2 meter long, having a 10-ton GVW and 31+1 seats, the vehicle could be used for a variety of purposes. Solaris considers the possibility of modifying the bus’s specification, with thought given to increasing the number of seats to 39+1 and the GVW to 12 tons.
By evaluating an entry into an entirely different sector of vehicles beside city and intercity buses, trolleybuses and trams, Solaris wants to underline the company’s flexibility and readiness to implement new projects and technologies. The presentation of the concept bus at the biggest bus exhibition in the world provides an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback directly from customers and operators. Depending on the market response, the manufacturer intends to adjust the vehicle so it would attract customers, while remaining a cost-beneficial product.
Further premieres of new Urbino generation
Soon, Solaris will introduce further new Urbino models powered with green alternative energy. The new Urbino 12 CNG and the new Trollino 12 are to be launched next. According to the manufacturer’s plan the majority of new generation products will be available by the end of 2016.
About Solaris Bus & Coach
Solaris Bus & Coach is a major European producer of city, intercity and special-purpose buses as well as low-floor trams. Since the start of production in 1996, over 12 000 vehicles have already left the factory in Bolechowo near Poznań. They are running in 29 countries. Despite its young age, Solaris has become one of the trendsetting companies in its industry. For many years it has been the indisputable leader among the suppliers of city buses in Poland as well as one of the largest suppliers of city buses in Germany.