Orion International 'Orion VII'

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Orion VII
Orion VII HEV
Years of manufacture 2007 to present
Length 32.5 to 40 feet
Width 102 inches
Propulsion Diesel, Diesel-electric
hybrid, CNG
Orion VII HEV

The Orion International Orion VII, is a low floor, North American transit bus. It can be powered by diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), or a diesel-electric hybrid configuration. Initially available as a series hybrid, in August 2010, Orion announced they will be offering a parallel hybrid system beginning in 2011.[1]

The bus's frame can be of either mild steel or stainless steel, and the monocoque structure is clad with fibreglass and aluminum panels. The engine is mounted longitudinally at the rear to the transmission in a T-drive arrangement. Diesel-powered versions use a 125 gallon (473 litre) fuel tank placed under the high floor section. CNG-powered models have the fuel tanks housed in an enclosure on the roof. Hybrid models have their batteries in an enclosure on the roof.

BAE Systems announced they were working with Orion and Hydrogenics to integrate a fuel cell into a Next Generation bus in November 2006. The fuel cell provided by Hydrogenics wprks as an auxiliary power unit with BAE's HybridDrive system and a diesel engine propelling the bus. Accessories such as air conditioning, air compressors, power steering, cooling fans and pumps, and a 28-volt electric power generator are powered by the fuel cell instead of the diesel engine.[2] By August 2010, the hydrogen fuel system and other roof accessories were installed, and the hybrid system and electric accessories were being installed. The bus was completed by late 2010 and has entered revenue service with San Francisco MUNI for a yearlong test.[3]

Contents

Aesthetic and design changes

Next Generation

The Orion VII Next Generation, was the restyled and updated successor to the original Orion VII. It was unveiled in 2007 and was designed with features to meet the EPA 2007 emissions standard. The first Next Generation VII was delivered to Saint John Transit.

Aesthetically, the Next Generation VII had a sloped front end with new headlights and a protruding destination sign area. It used flush-mounted windows instead of the traditional windows used on the previous VII. The rear was restyled with a softer appearance. Early buses used the same sealed lead acid batteries and squared enclosure the previous VII had. When lithium ion batteries became the standard, a more rounded enclosure was used.

EPA10

In May 2010 at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference, Orion introduced an updated model which met the EPA 2010 emissions standard.[4] Orion dropped the "Next Generation" name, however it is sometimes distinguished with the EPA10 designation. The HVAC was moved to the roof as part of the space above the engine where it was located was needed for the exhaust after-treatment system. On hybrid models, the propulsion control unit was also moved from the roof at the rear to the former location of the HVAC. The engine and generator on hybrids, initially placed transversely at the rear, was changed to an inline configuration. A number of prototypes were built meeting 2010 standards in 2009.

The EPA10 VII looks very similar to the Next Generation VII. A noticeable change was to the rear doors. Originally the same height as the windows, the rear door was made level in height with the front door. The driver's window was revised as well using a traditionally glazed design instead of the flush mounted one. The sliding window panes now have a frame around them to add strength. An option for standard passenger glazing was also made available. This option made it onto a batch of Next Generation VIIs for New York MTA Long Island Bus.

The grill above the engine compartment at the rear was changed from the asymmetrical shape to a crescent shape. The 2009 EPA10 prototypes do not have this rear, however.

BRT

The Orion VII is available with a bus rapid transit (BRT) styling package. This adds a full length roof enclosure from the front to the rear. The concept debuted at the APTA Expo in 2008 where a rendering of the BRT-styled bus was displayed. Prototype bus PT1 was later fitted with this package. It was unveiled at Daimler Buses' Transit Clinic in Mississauga, Ontario. The BRT styling was soon revised later in 2010 with a more sloping destination sign area that was integrated into the front.

Models

Model number Length
(feet, inches) 		Length
(metres)
07.501 40' 10.5" 12,459
07.502 35' 11" 10,947
07.503 32' 5" 9,881

Specifications

Dimensions

  • Length: 32.5', 35', 40’
  • Width: 102"
  • Height: 118.5” over roof hatch (diesel, 2007-2010), 129" (diesel, 2010-present), 135” (CNG), 132” (HEV)
  • GVWR: 42,540 lb
  • Overhang (f/r): 86,5” front, 118” rear (incl. bumper)
  • Wheelbase: 190” (30’), 226” (35’), 286” (40’)
  • Turning radius: 29’-8” - 43’-3”
  • Step height (f/r): 14.5” from ground, 11” kneeled
  • Floor height (aisle): 15.5”

Engine

Transmission

Hybrid sytem

Energy storage

  • BAE Systems 123 Lithium-Ion batteries (2008-present)
  • Hawker XT sealed lead-acid batteries (2007-2008)

HVAC

  • Carrier A316 (2010-present)
  • Thermo King Athenia (2010-present)
  • Thermo King rear mount; AC 108.000 BTU, Heat 95.000 BTU, Defroster 59.000 BTU (2007-2010 excluding CNG)

Electrical system

  • Solid State Multiplex 24 V

Suspension

  • Full air ride

Axles

Brakes

  • ArvinMeritor EX225H3 disk (2010-present)
  • Cast Plus “S” Cam drum with auto slack adjusters (2007-present)

Tire size

  • 305/70 R 22.5

Glazing

  • Arow Global flush mounted passenger windows (2010-present)
  • Hehr bonded in passenger windows (2007-2010)

Doors

  • Front:
    • Vapor Ameriview slide glide 36.5" (2009-present)
    • Vapor slide glide 36.5” (2007-2010)
  • Rear:
    • Vapor Ameriview slide glide or flip out 36.5" (2009-present)
    • Vapor slide glide or flip out 36.5” (2007-2010)

Ramp

  • Front entrance 32” x 44”, flip out

Fuel tank capacity

  • 125 US Gallons (Diesel)
  • 100 US Gallons (Hybrid)

Operators

Canada Flag of Canada.png

United States Flag of the United States.png

Demonstrator and engineering units

Below is a list of known demonstrator and engineering buses

Fleet number Thumbnail Year VIN Engine Transmission Notes
1291 Orion VII NG 2007 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • Sometimes numbered with an "A" suffix
  • Converted to 2010-compliant HEV in 2009
  • Originally had Cummins ISL engine
1292 2007 Cummins ISB BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • Sometimes numbered with an "A" suffix
  • Exhibited at Earth Day at Grand Central event in April 2007 with "Earth Day at Grand Central" with child holding the earth wrap
  • Demonstrated with MTA from July 27 to August 25, 2007; re-decalled in MTA blue stripe livery
  • Featured modified battery cooling and 4ONE CitiSeat Pro passenger seats
  • Received lithium ion batteries, tailpipe diffuser, and had decals removed in around 2009
1294 2007 Cummins ISB BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • Sometimes numbered with an "A" suffix
  • Originally in "HYBRID" with child holding the earth wrap, featured modified battery cooling, and built to MTA pre-production specs with TTC seating
  • Demonstrated with MTA in summer 2007; wrap removed and MTA logos applied
  • Received lithium ion batteries in 2008 and new blue and yellow "HYBRID" with clouds wrap
  • Demonstrated at OC Transpo in September 2008
  • Up for sale in late 2009; sold to RIOC
1295 2007 1VHHH3P2276702739 Cummins ISB BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • Sometimes numbered with a "A" suffix
  • To MTA pre-production specs
  • Demonstrated with MTA summer 2007; decalled in MTA blue stripe livery
  • Received new blue and yellow "HYBRID" with clouds wrap
  • Demonstrated at OC Transpo in 2007
  • Displayed at 2007 CUTA Trans-Expo
  • Received lithium ion batteries in around 2009
  • For sale on eBay November 2009; sold to MTB
1319A 2008 Cummins ISB BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • To MTA production specs
  • Fuel cell APU added in 2010
  • On 1 year trial with MUNI
WO9353 2008 Cummins ISL9 EPA 2010 prototype
PT1 2009 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Green base color with white roof stripe
  • Received BRT-styled roof fairings in 2010
  • Received redesigned rear in 2010
  • Underwent climatised testing at Thermo King in october 2010
PT2 2009 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Green base color with yellow roof stripe
PT3 Orion International PT3-a.jpg 2009 2B1FH3G54A5704779 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B
6 speed
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Green base colour with blue stripe
PT4 2009 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B
6 speed
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Green base colour with red stripe
PT5 2009 1VHHH3V58A6705195 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Altoona Tested from May to October 2010.
  • Green base colour with black stripe
PT BARO 2009 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • EPA 2010 "bad road" test bus
  • White base colour with green roof stripe
  • Has TTC-style blue accessibility lights
Sales 1 Orion International Sales 1-a.jpg 2010 1VHHH3P50A6705415 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • Rear photo
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Redesigned rear cap
  • Enclosed BRT-Style roof
  • Displayed at 2010 CUTA National Transit Conference May 16, 2010
  • Demoed with NYMTA August 18, 2010
Sales 2 2010 1VHFH3G23A6705552 Cummins ISL9 ZF 6AP1400B
6 speed
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Redesigned rear cap
  • Displayed at 2010 CUTA National Transit Conference May 16, 2010
  • Demoed with TANK and SORTA August 10, 2010
  • Demoed with TARC August 11, 2010
  • Arrived on Translink property February 2011.
  • Demoed with West Vancouver Municipal Transit March 30 - April 15.
  • Started in Service demo with Translink April 18 - May 18
  • Spotted in Edmonton on May 19th
PT6 August 2010 1VHGH3W53A6705986 Cummins Westport ISL G Allison B400R
  • 2010 demonstrator
  • Green base colour with tan stripe
  • Redesigned rear cap
  • Traditionally glazed (framed) Arow passenger windows
Sales 3 August 2010 1VHHH3V22A6706963 Cummins ISB6.7 BAE Systems HybriDrive
hybrid system
  • EPA 2010 demonstrator
  • Displayed at CUTA Trans-Expo 2010
PT7 2011 Cummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP
hybrid system 		Allison hybrid demo
PT8 2011
  • Yellow base colour
  • CNG powered

References

  1. ↑ The Orion VII Expands Hybrid Product Offerings (Press release). Daimler Buses North America. Retrieved on 18 August 2010.
  2. ↑ BAE Systems to Participate in Fuel Cell Bus Program (Press release). BAE Systems. 13 November 2006. Retrieved on 07 April 2011.
  3. ↑ BAE Systems Projects (page 9). AB 118 Hydrogen Workshop. 29 September 2009. Retrieved on 07 April 2011.
  4. ↑ The Updated Orion VII Transit Bus for 2010 Makes its World Debut at the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference (Press release). Daimler Buses North America. 3 May 2010. Retrieved on 3 May.
  • Personal notes & sightings
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