No sooner had European carriers until the end of rasprobovat \u0026#39;newest tourist liner Scania OmniExpress, as the Swedes at the October 2009 world exhibition bus Busworld presented another similar class and the model designation - Scania Touring. True, the body of this machine is made not at the Finnish company\u0026#39;s plant, and in China.
Scania. Made in China
Here and in avtobusostroenii started the same as a number of years observed in the e-mail or, say, light industry: world-famous companies establish production of its products in Chinese factories under their own brands and send them for sale at retail. From the biggest bus manufacturers in Europe first on this trodden path went Scania: under its brand name in Europe and some other markets beyond tourist liner with unpretentious title Touring, the final production of which will carry out plant Higer. For those who do not know - this is one of the largest avtostroitelnyh enterprises in China in the year to produce up to 18 thousand buses.
However, the Chinese are trusted to do a body: the development of construction and design, and production of Scania chassis left behind him. And Higer was chosen as a partner is not accidental: the Swedes are cooperating with this company for over five years by building on one of its factories modern production line for the annual issuance under its brand name to 3000 buses of various models.
- Sales of Scania Touring will begin in central Europe and will be gradually extended to the west, south and north - said at the presentation of new items Melker Yernberg, senior vice president of Scania, in charge of a bus charter - also has plans to enter the markets of the Middle East, Africa and some Asian countries.
Folk wisdom says: if you can not prevent a revolution - to lead it. And for long divided the European bus market an invasion of Chinese manufacturers a hundred times worse than any revolutions. This guide Scania and decided that it was better to offer buses Higer in Europe under its own brand, implementing and servicing them through the existing dealer and service network, than the Chinese do it yourself, unceremoniously move of all others. Surprising is that among the priority markets for Scania Touring does not appear Russia. Are Swedes Scared the sharp drop in our sales coaches? Or choose their own path to his Chinese is not much affect their strategic interests?
There is nothing to smile
The interior Scania Touring is nothing unusual. In a measure of technocratic and moderately elegant front panel with a centrally located instrument panel stands unless rasplozhennym on the left hand baggy \u0026quot;sill\u0026quot; with several rows of buttons. In the same vein, and the rest is decorated salon. In short, everything has been done with European accuracy, but at the same time unobtrusively: Instead of less familiar to the Chinese bus screaming colors dominate the solid gray and black tones. Not seen and traditional automotive technology from Celestial numerous spots \u0026quot;under the tree.\u0026quot;
But the exterior of the bus catches any. In a press release about it says in general is neutral: \u0026quot;external decoration liner reflects such features of Scania, as smoothly-cut wedge shape of the front end and rounded corners, reducing drag. It means that stylists largely guided by prompts specialists in aerodynamics. Maybe so, but the above characteristics of design innovations clearly incomplete, fail to observe primary metabolism. Because the one who is familiar with the model number of buses, the Swedish company, can not fail to note that Scania Touring differs from their \u0026quot;brothers\u0026quot; manifestly unkind expression \u0026quot;person\u0026quot;. Gloomy look headlights, lowered between a black visor, heavy cheekbones bumper ... Neither give nor take the helmet of Darth Vader, put on wheels! But earlier Scania buses to see the world only with the good \u0026quot;smile\u0026quot; - remember the least developed in the pre-crisis era OmniLink, OmniCity and OmniExpress. Well, the complexity of the economy, apparently, require to enter the market under a very different guise!
Technical side
And what exactly are the Scania Touring from a technical point of view? This 49-bedded biaxial model length of 12 m and a height of 3.8 m rear-drive unit, designed to transport long distances. Like many modern analogues, the bus body is made of frameless technology that allows to reduce the curb weight while remaining outside the European standards of safety in a rollover. Size is located under the floor of the luggage compartment, optionally be equipped with pneumatic hatch is 9 \u0026quot;cube\u0026quot;.
In the engine compartment of Scania Touring installed 13-liter diesel, depending on the modification develops from 380 to 440 hp Through the application of technology exhaust gas recirculation EGR, he meets environmental standards Euro 4 and Euro-5. As for gear, here the bus was lucky - just in time for his appearance Scania completed the system automatically switches the transmission stages Opticruise new generation. It manages the 12-speed manual \u0026#39;box \u0026quot;without the driver, using electro-hydraulic clutch, so that finally managed to completely abandon the corresponding pedal. The algorithm of the system adapts to the driver\u0026#39;s driving style, filled the bus and the value of the gradient of the road, and in difficult conditions uses higher power mode.
Suspension Scania Touring - full air, with the front - independent. Disc brakes with electronic control system and ABS as standard equipment.
In the basic equipment compartment includes not only air-conditioning system and convective heating, it also has a toilet, a mini-kitchen and a sleeping compartment for a replacement driver. Of equipment options for the bus two: Comfort and Premium. Possible and exclusive leather trim.
Issue Scania Touring will begin in the first half of 2010. Initially, partners are planning to do about 500 buses a year, but expect a subsequent increase in production, thanks in part should contribute imminent appearance of triaxial modification of the liner.