[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by binaiks

After buses with Merc Logos, here is one with a VW logo! Does VW manufacture Heavy Commercial Vehicles anywhere? (I couldn't find any on the net)...

Attachment 402776

I believe this is the latest Private City Bus in Kochi.. body is from Karur (Forgot the name of the builder).

Very well build bus.

[conjon]

Originally Posted by binaiks

After buses with Merc Logos, here is one with a VW logo! Does VW manufacture Heavy Commercial Vehicles anywhere? (I couldn't find any on the net)...

MODS: Only replying to the above question,if inappropriate please move it to the heavy trucks thread.

They do make heavy commercial vehicles. Volkswagen makes them only in Brazil.
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses(VTB) started operations in 1995 and was part of the Volkswagen group till MAN Group took over from them in January 2009. They are still badged as VW.
The only heavy commercial vehicles made by VW are under its subsidiary SCANIA.

OT:MAN SE is also a share holder in SCANIA with a stake of 17.37% voting rights, where as Volkswagen group has 70.94% voting rights.
Volkswagen group also have a 29.9% stake in MAN SE.


Few pics of the Volkswagen Constellation Titan trucks(uses cummins ICH engines) and volkbus.

[foby.sebastian]

The Cobus at Bangalore airport

[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by conjon

MODS: Only replying to the above question,if inappropriate please move it to the heavy trucks thread.

They do make heavy commercial vehicles. Volkswagen makes them only in Brazil.
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses(VTB) started operations in 1995 and was part of the Volkswagen group till MAN Group took over from them in January 2009. They are still badged as VW.
The only heavy commercial vehicles made by VW are under its subsidiary SCANIA.

OT:MAN SE is also a share holder in SCANIA with a stake of 17.37% voting rights, where as Volkswagen group has 70.94% voting rights.
Volkswagen group also have a 29.9% stake in MAN SE.


Few pics of the Volkswagen Constellation Titan trucks(uses cummins ICH engines) and volkbus.

Thanks. That was a very usefull info.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by conjon

MODS: Only replying to the above question,if inappropriate please move it to the heavy trucks thread.

They do make heavy commercial vehicles. Volkswagen makes them only in Brazil.
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses(VTB) started operations in 1995 and was part of the Volkswagen group till MAN Group took over from them in January 2009. They are still badged as VW.
The only heavy commercial vehicles made by VW are under its subsidiary SCANIA.

OT:MAN SE is also a share holder in SCANIA with a stake of 17.37% voting rights, where as Volkswagen group has 70.94% voting rights.
Volkswagen group also have a 29.9% stake in MAN SE.


Few pics of the Volkswagen Constellation Titan trucks(uses cummins ICH engines) and volkbus.

Oh! Thanks.. thats a lot of information. Great to know that VW Badged trucks and buses do exist.

[hvkumar]

What is the reason why many private fleet operators in Ernakulam-Kochi switched over from Tatas to ALs the last few years? Once upon a time, I remember the entire EKM city bus fleet used to be Tata.

[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

What is the reason why many private fleet operators in Ernakulam-Kochi switched over from Tatas to ALs the last few years? Once upon a time, I remember the entire EKM city bus fleet used to be Tata.

With the introduction of Hino engines the mileage has improved , also the upgradation to single clutch from the old style double clutch, acceleration is much better all these contributed to city operators moving towards leyland.

[silversteed]

I saw a Mercedes-Benz multi-axle coach yesterday, operated by Parveen travels. The interesting thing is, the drive axle (with 2 tyres on each side) was the first Rear Axle unlike the Volvo 9400XL, but I think the engine as the rear itself. Guess I've seen some pix of similar Volvos (B12B? not sure) in this thread.

I am wondering what are the advantages/disadvantages of this setup. Without a steerable RA-2, isn't it just adding to the complexity of running the drive shaft to RA-1?

In an old movie (The Italian Job - 1969), I saw a MB multi-axle bus with two steerable axles in the front and one drive axle in the rear (2 tyres on each side). Do we have any such models now? Won't such a setup be better, instead of two axles in the rear?

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by silversteed

I saw a Mercedes-Benz multi-axle coach yesterday, operated by Parveen travels. The interesting thing is, the drive axle (with 2 tyres on each side) was the first Rear Axle unlike the Volvo 9400XL, but I think the engine as the rear itself. Guess I've seen some pix of similar Volvos (B12B? not sure) in this thread.

Thats a primary difference between 9400 & o 500 series.Also lift option is available in RA2.The Propeller shaft goes over the RA2 and drives the RA1 in this case.

Originally Posted by silversteed

In an old movie (The Italian Job - 1969), I saw a MB multi-axle bus with two steerable axles in the front and one drive axle in the rear (2 tyres on each side). Do we have any such models now? Won't such a setup be better, instead of two axles in the rear?

Its actually little complicated when there are two front axles rather than having two rear axles. More over the tyre wear is much higher when the axles are steerable at front rather than a dummy RA.
One advantage is with two FA is that the turning radius can be made smaller.

[conjon]

Originally Posted by silversteed

In an old movie (The Italian Job - 1969), I saw a MB multi-axle bus with two steerable axles in the front and one drive axle in the rear (2 tyres on each side). Do we have any such models now? Won't such a setup be better, instead of two axles in the rear?

That isnt a MB coach in the movie italian job starring michael caine.
Thats wholly british built.Thats a Bedford VAL Chassis with a Harrington legionnaire bodywork.This was operated by scottish operator Battens and was leased for the movie.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Its actually little complicated when there are two front axles rather than having two rear axles. More over the tyre wear is much higher when the axles are steerable at front rather than a dummy RA.
One advantage is with two FA is that the turning radius can be made smaller.

I thought tyre wear would be less... Anyone using this kind of a setup now? Just curious to know

Originally Posted by conjon

That isnt a MB coach in the movie italian job starring michael caine.
Thats wholly british built.Thats a Bedford VAL Chassis with a Harrington legionnaire bodywork.This was operated by scottish operator Battens and was leased for the movie.

My bad. I assumed it had the 3-pointed star in the front.

Thanks, Ashley2 and conjon for the enlightenment.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by conjon

That isnt a MB coach in the movie italian job starring michael caine.
Thats wholly british built.Thats a Bedford VAL Chassis with a Harrington legionnaire bodywork.This was operated by scottish operator Battens and was leased for the movie.

But I am surprised why should this have a two front axles though the over all length of the bus is relatively small.

[gold class]

P9000
Had a visit to SMK body builders.(Prakash). Saw the new model from SMK.Its called P9000. There is a huge difference in the front and rear.The first bus is to be delivered tommorow to ARC Travels. In the rear there is a "U" shape light,which is said to be the highlight of this model. the tail lamps and th front headlight assembly is completly different.The luggage door alsohave a slight difference.The interior lighting also post a high difference.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by gold class

P9000
Had a visit to SMK body builders.(Prakash). Saw the new model from SMK.Its called P9000. There is a huge difference in the front and rear.The first bus is to be delivered tommorow to ARC Travels. In the rear there is a "U" shape light,which is said to be the highlight of this model. the tail lamps and th front headlight assembly is completly different.The luggage door alsohave a slight difference.The interior lighting also post a high difference.

Can u manage some pics?

[conjon]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

But I am surprised why should this have a two front axles though the over all length of the bus is relatively small.

This was used in the scottish highlands where they still have narrow roads along the lochs. So probably better turning or manouverability was the reason for two front axles.