Alexander Dennis Enviro300
| Alexander Dennis Enviro300 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2001 to 2015 |
| Length | 11.8 to 12.8 metres |
| Width | 2550 millimetres |
The Alexander Dennis Enviro300 is a light-weight, full-sized transit bus. It was launched by Alexander Dennis's predecessor TransBus International in 2001. Production of the Enviro300 continued until the end of 2015. It was replaced by a longer version of the Enviro200.
Design
The Enviro300 was developed to cater to operators in the United Kingdom who wanted a full-sized bus, but desired the lightweight benefits of a midibus. With a gross vehicle weight of approximately 14 tonnes, the Enviro300 boasted greater operational efficiency, in particular, using less fuel than a bus of comparable length. The majority of the bus's frame is composed of extruded aluminum sections and clad with lightweight polymer and aluminum body panels.
When introduced, the Enviro300 used its own chassis (also called the Enviro300). The lightweight Enviro300 chassis was also available to other body builders. More chassis options became available with the redesigned Enviro300 beginning with the MAN A69 and Volvo Buses B7RLE in 2008. The Scania K UB4x2 became available a few years later.
The prototypes built prior to 2002 looked different than the production units that followed. They had a flatter front end with less glass around the destination sign. The narrower headlight bezels swept towards the centre with a recess above the bumper. The rear had very simple tail lights near the bottom corners. Production buses had a revised destination sign area. A three-piece front bumper integrated into the lower front. The area around the headlights was recessed at an angle. This aesthetic was also used on the Enviro500. The headlight area and rear were revised slightly revised in late 2003. At the end of 2007, the Enviro300 was redesigned with a similar look to the Enviro200Dart and Enviro400. The updated interior borrowed from the Enviro200Dart, and in addition, used a common instrument panel. The seating arrangement was adjusted to yield more forward facing seats and less rearward and aisle facing seats. Changes to the chassis included a new side-by-side radiator and intercooler.[1]
In March 2013, Alexander Dennis and Scania introduced the jointly developed Enviro300NG (natural gas). The 12.2-metre long bus is powered by a 270 horsepower, 9.3-litre engine that can be fueled by compressed natural gas or bio natural gas. A key spotting feature is a streamlined roof enclosure to house the fuel tanks.[2]
A school bus version of the Enviro300 was launched in 2005. It features a single door and 2+3 seating with three-point seat belts.
Specifications (On Enviro300 chassis)
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | Availability | |
| 11.800 or 12.550m | 2001-2007 | |
| 11.860 or 12.560m | 2007-2013 | |
| 11.904m | 2013-2015 | |
| Width: 2550mm | ||
| Engine | Emissions | |
| Cummins ISBe 6 cylinder, 5.9 litre, 220 hp | Euro 3 | |
| Cummins ISBe 6 cylinder, 6.7 litre, 225 hp | Euro 4 | |
| Cummins ISBe 6 cylinder, 6.7 litre, 225 hp or 250 hp | Euro 5/EEV | |
| Cummins ISBe 6 cylinder, 6.7 litre, 220 hp or 250 hp | Euro 6 | |
| Transmission | Availability | |
| Allison T280R 4 speed | With Euro 3 & 4 | |
| Allison T280 5 speed | With Euro 5/EEV | |
| Voith D854.3E | With Euro 3 | |
| Voith D854.5 | With Euro 4 to Euro 6 | |
| ZF 6AP1200B | With Euro 5 & 6 | |
| ZF 5HP502C | With Euro 3 | |
| ZF 5HP504C | With Euro 4 | |
| Axles | ||
| Front: Dana NDS56 5000 kg, 55° lock angle | ||
| Rear: Dana 11-26 single reduction hypoid axle, 1100 kg, 5.37"1—92km/h | ||
| Suspension | ||
| Full air | ||
| Steering | ||
| ZF 8095 integral, variable ratio power steering | ||
| Brakes | ||
| Air disc | ||
Operators
United Kingdom 
- Arriva North West - North West
- Bluebird Bus and Coach - Middleton, Noth West
- Cardiff Bus - Cardiff, South East
- Finglands - Manchester, North West
- Premier Travel - Nottingham, East Midlands
- Reading Buses - Reading, South East
- Richards Bros - Cardigan, South West
- Stagecoach East Scotland - East Scotland
- Stagecoach in Bassetlaw - Bassetlaw, East Midlands
- Stagecoach in East Kent - East Kent, South East
- Stagecoach in Hartlepool - Hartlepool, North East
- Stagecoach in Hull - Cottingham; Hedon; Kingston upon Hull; Wawne, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Stagecoach in Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire, East Midlands
- Stagecoach Sheffield - Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Stagecoach Yorkshire - Yorkshire
- Ulsterbus - Northern Ireland
References
- Alexander Dennis Enviro300 Euro 5/EEV spec sheet, alexander-dennis.com, retreived on 2010-11-19
- Alexander Dennis Enviro300 Euro 4 spec sheet
- Alexander Dennis Enviro300 brochure, alexander-dennis.co.uk, retrieved on 2009-03-12