Optima Bus Opus

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Optima Bus Opus
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Years of manufacture 2001 to 2009
Length 30 to 35 feet
Width 99 inches
Power/Fuel Diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid
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The Optima Bus Opus is a low floor midibus. It was available in 30, 32 or 35 foot lengths with the option of one or two doors. It was introduced by Chance Coach, which later became Optima Bus and then a NABI brand in 2007. Production of the Opus was idled by NABI in 2009. It never resumed and the Optima brand was discontinued.

Design history

The Opus was designed and developed by Expotech, a Wright Group company, for Chance Coach in the United States. Only two prototypes were bodied in Northern Ireland, and the rest were built by Chance using completely knocked down (CKD) kits from Wright. The Opus, therefore, bears a strong resemblance to Wright products of the time.

The Opus utilized the Wright Aluminique™ modular bolted aluminum system. The chassis was developed by Chance and was Altoona tested to a service life of 12 years or 500,000 miles.

In early 2005, Optima worked with ISE Corporation to integrate ISE's ThunderVolt diesel-electric hybrid system into the Opus. Optima unveiled the hybrid Opus on July 15, 2005. The hybrid Opus received CARB certification on December 12, 2005.

A design called the Opus Streamlined was made available in 2006. This design has a more sloping, rounded front with headlights altered accordingly and has a length of 32 feet. The only operator of this model is Miami-Dade Transit.

Specifications

Engine

  • Cummins ISB - 185 hp (standard for 30') - 225 hp (optional for 30') - 260 hp (standard for 35')
  • Cummins ISB-02 - 200 hp (standard for 30') - 245 hp (optional for 30') - 275 hp (standard for 35')

Transmission

Axles

  • Meritor (front and rear)

Brakes

  • 'S'-Cam with ABS (standard)
  • Disc Brakes (optional)

Air Conditioning

  • Roof Mounted R134A (standard)
  • Thermo King 105,000 BTU (optional)
  • Carrier 83,000 (optional)

Operators

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Demonstrator/engineering units

Fleet number Thumbnail Year VIN Engine Transmission Notes
2001 1C9B5DMS41W535001 Cummins ISB Allison
2004 1Z9B5BRSX4W216253 Cummins ISB Allison