Optare Solo

Optare Solo
Years of manufacture	1997 to 2012
Length	7.1 to 10.2 metres
Width	2336 or 2500 millimetres
Power/Fuel	Diesel, electric, or hybrid

The Optare Solo, introduced in 1997, is a low floor midibus with the front axle before the front door. After a decade-and-a-half of production, the traditional Solo was discontinued in favour of the redesigned Solo SR in 2012.

Design history

The Optare Solo uses an integral stainless and mild steel structure with glass-reinforced polymer body panels. The rationale for having the front axle forward of the door was to yield more passenger space that would have otherwise been taken up by the wheels were they behind the door. The drivetrain is mounted at the rear on a cradle that is meant to be removed with little effort. The Solo was named a Millennium Product by the Government's Design Council and received the Award for Innovation in The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2000.

Being of British origin, the Solo is a right-hand drive vehicle. However a number of left-hand drive buses have been exported to other countries. Most notably to the United States, where it was rebadged as the NABI 30-LFN. NABI had acquired Optare in January 2000 and offered the 30-LFN until it sold Optare in 2005.

A hybrid version of the Solo, developed with Traction Technologies, was introduced in 2008 using Enova System's parallel hybrid system. The Solo was also offered with Siemens' series hybrid system and ISE super capacitors. A further development is a battery-electric powered Solo, known as the Solo EV, which was introduced in 2009. It featured a 120 kilowatt Enova Systems P120 AC induction motor and two banks of Valence Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries. A 150 kilowatt Magtec P144 electric motor and two packs of 26 iron magnesium phosphate batteries was introduced in 2013. The bus had a range of 110 to 150 kilometres> It could be charged in approximately six hours by two 7.5 kilowatt on-board chargers connected to a standard commercial three phase supply or in two hours by a 50 kilowatt off-board fast charger.

Models

The Solo is available in two widths: a standard width of 2500 millimetres and the SlimLine option of 2336 millimetres. A compact model, known as the Solso SE, is available in a 7.1 or 7.8 metre length.

Model Number	Years	Length (metres)	Width (millimetres)
M710SE		7.1	2336
M780SE		7.8	2336
M810		8.1	2336
M880		8.8	2336 or 2500
M950		9.5	2336 or 2500
M1020		10.2	2500

Specifications

Dimensions

• Length: 7.1 to 10.2 metres
• Width: 2336 or 2500 millimetres

Engine

• Cummins ISBe Euro 3, 5.9 litre, 185 hp
• Cummins ISBe Euro 4, 6.7 litres 201 hp
• MAN D8034 Euro 4, 4.56 litre, 177 hp
• Mercedes-Benz OM364 Euro 2
• Mercedes-Benz OM904 Euro 3, 122 or 147 hp
• Mercedes-Benz OM904 Euro 4, 4.25 litres, 127 or 154 hp
• Mercedes-Benz OM904 Euro 5, 4.25 litres, 127 or 154 hp (diesel or HEV)

Transmission

• Allison 1000
• Allison 2100
• Allison AT-545

Hybrid System

• Enova Systems HybridPower 120 kW

Suspension

• Front: 2 air bags and taper leaf spring and Panhard rod
• Rear: 4 air bags on parallel linkage

Axles

• Front: Dana NDS 41
• Rear: Albion 7.20 single reduction hypoid

Brakes

• Wabco PAN17

Steering

• Sheppar M83P2
• ZF 8090

Operators

Germany

• Barnimer Busgesellschaft - Eberswalde

United Kingdom

• Arriva Norh West - North West
• First Bradford - Bradford, Yorkshire and the Humber
• First Leeds - Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber
• First London - London
• First Manchester - Greater Manchester, North West
• First South Yorkshire - South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
• Goldline Warwick - Warwick, West Midlands
• Lothian Buses - Edinburgh
• Metrobus - London
• Sheffield Community Transport - Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
• Stagecoach in Bedford - Bedford, East
• Stagecoach in Hull - Hull, East Midlands
• Stagecoach Manchester - Greater Manchester, North West
• Stagecoach in Yorkshire - Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber

References

• Optare Solo, http://s261370817.websitehome.co.uk, retrieved on 2009-06-19