2015: Exciting novelties for VDL Bus & Coach
2015 is an exceptional year for VDL Bus & Coach, with no less than 3 world premieres and a number of other product developments.
• The first highlight was the introduction of the VDL Citea SLFA Electric at the UITP in Milan in June, a vehicle in a series of 8 buses ordered by the Cologne passenger transport company KVB (Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe).
• This event was followed by the delivery of the Citea DLF, the first new double-decker, for the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe).
• During Busworld 2015 we will have the official presentation of the Futura FDD2 double deck coach.
• The Citea Electric exposed at Busworld includes the latest e-mobility developments, a new drivers cabin, electric doors and full LED lighting.
• With the 3-door version (1-2-1) of the Citea LLE-120 an even greater range of applications is expected for this lightweight champion.
Winning the IBC Economy Award is a confirmation that VDL Bus & Coach is successful in the area of ‘Profit of Ownership’, one of the core brand values.
VDL Citea SLFA Electric
The VDL Citea SLFA Electric is an electric, articulated city bus that is 18.1 metres in length and has an innovative, futuristic design. This modern design shows how bus operation can be brought to another level. It is fitted with an opportunity charge system and runs entirely on electricity without any aids. This means that unlike hybrid buses it requires no diesel engine and unlike trolleys it needs no pantograph to continuously supply it with power. The VDL Citea SLFA Electric admittedly has a pantograph, but it is only used for a brief charge at the end of each run. When the bus makes contact with the charging station at the final stop, the batteries are charged quickly but intensely as required.
The new, innovative VDL Citea SLFA Electric combines the best features of the Citea Electric and the articulated Citea SLFA. The modular system from which the Citea range is built played a major role in the development of this electric variant. This allowed easy integration of the electric components without compromising the essential Citea qualities, such as lightweight construction, optimum accessibility and comfort. An aspect that is beneficial to both comfort and the environment is the fact that the VDL Citea Electric is very quiet, both inside and outside the bus.
The VDL Citea articulated, with its completely flat floor, is ideal for the transport of large numbers of passengers. The low floor construction makes it exceptionally easy to enter the bus and offers optimal access, for travellers with a baby buggy or wheelchair for example. This applies both to the front section of the bus and the section ‘behind the bellows’. During the design of the Citea SLFA considerable attention was given to the flow of passengers from the entry door and to the exit doors. Harmoniously matched colours give the bus a very spacious feeling. The cantilever seat design (free-hanging seats) ensures plenty of leg room and therefore optimal sitting comfort. Since the entire floor is free of obstacles, the buses are easy to clean.
VDL Bus & Coach delivers first Citea Low Floor double-decker to BVG
On Tuesday 11 August the first VDL Citea Low Floor double-decker was delivered to the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe). Since 12 October this double-decker is running in test operation. With this new 11.40-metre-long, 2-axle vehicle VDL has now entered the double-decker bus segment for public transport lines. The Citea DLF-114 has two staircases to the upper deck and can accommodate up to 97 passengers. As such, the DLF-114 fulfils both the economic and environmental requirements of modern-day city traffic, with a maximum number of seats and passengers for a 2-axled unit. This highly efficient alternative for the city meets all aspects of the requirements VDL sets in connection with its brand value ‘Profit of Ownership’.
In developing the new VDL Citea DLF (Double deck Low Floor), optimum use will be made of the module system around which the Citea range is built. Thanks the clever combination of vehicle superstructure and a lightweight low floor construction, the Citea DLF also has a low net weight, which results in excellent fuel economy and minimal emissions of harmful exhaust gases. Add to that the long service life and the result is maximum ‘Profit of Ownership’.
For the passengers, the VDL Citea DLF-114 offers some extras and innovations compared to the buses in BVG’s current fleet. The rows of seats on the upper deck are equipped with USB connections. Via a display on the lower deck passengers can see how many seats are still free on the upper deck. The boarding area has heated floors. Furthermore, the Citea DLF features a new, innovative interior concept. The floor covering at the boarding area, on the stairs and in the upper deck area is made in a lighter colour and the seat fabric has a completely new colour. LED lamps on the staircases and each tread provide better visibility. Kerb lighting and ribbed hand grips at the second door offer visually impaired passengers better orientation when boarding and alighting.
Official presentation of the Futura FDD2 double deck coach
VDL Citea Electric, the E-worker
The Citea Electric shown at Busworld includes the latest e-mobility developments, a new driver’s cabin, electric doors and full LED lighting. For the driveline the Siemens ELFA drive has been used in combination with a 122 kWh battery pack which will be fast-charged via a pantograph. The main focus for this specification was to lower the energy consumption as much as possible. The lightweight Citea concept and smart energy recuperation are the final touch for this optimal electric city bus. The passenger will be impressed by the driving experience and noise emission has been reduced to a very low level without this having any impact on the interior comfort or accessibility.
Citea LLE 3-door version
The new 3-door 1-2-1 version of the Citea LLE makes the lightweight champion even more attractive for city operation. The TCO will be on the same low level as the 2-door configuration. The new 3rd door is a single-blade rapid-slide door with a portal width of 880 mm. All 3 doors are electrically operated so as to reduce energy consumption.
The Citea LLE shown at Busworld is equipped with 100% LED lighting for both the interior and the exterior. To complete the new light configuration, cornering lights are an additional new feature. For the complete Citea range a new driver’s cabin has been developed based on operators’ requirements, which complies with the latest international ergonomic standards.
VDL Futura FMD2 wins IBC Economy Award
The focus of the 2015 edition of the International Bus & Coach Competition (IBC) was the intercity coach. A number of experts in the field subjected the participating coaches to a battery of tests conducted over five days at the beginning of May 2015. The VDL Futura FMD2 was the undisputed winner for most cost-effective coach. The carefully considered lightweight concept in combination with the aerodynamic design and the most optimal powertrain resulted in the lowest fuel consumption by far. Add to this a high passenger capacity, lots of luggage space and a low cost per kilometre and the result is a coach that enables an operator to truly make money.
The tested coach was a VDL Futura FMD2-129 with a length of 12.9 metres, fitted with seating for 49+1+1. The IBC test showed once again that the Futura is currently the most profitable coach. The kerb weight of this FMD2-129, including wheelchair lift and 660 litres of diesel, is just 13,300 kg. In combination with the modern, fuel-efficient DAF MX-11 engine, this results in extremely low fuel consumption. The optimally balanced powertrain also offers stable, superb road handling, on straight roads and in curves. High marks were also given for the logically arranged dashboard and the good driver visibility. The lower entry, which facilitates quick, smooth passenger boarding and alighting, the comfort and the legroom also scored well.
