Golden Boy first with Irizar I6S Efficient order
Golden Boy Coaches of Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire is the first UK-based company to place an order for a new Irizar i6S Efficient Integral, powered by DAF.
At 13.2m long (tri-axle, super-high single-deck), the new coach will come equipped with 53 passenger seats, offering plenty of legroom for passenger comfort. Half iLeather trim will give a touch of luxury, with quilted side wings adding to the effect. Each seat will be equipped with lap belts and USB connectivity.
Golden Boy has opted to specify PSVAR preparation only on this occasion, having purchased two fully compliant i6S earlier this year.
The coach will be powered by DAF’s MX11 330kw, OBD-E Euro VI engine, with an output of 449hp, coupled to ZF’s Ecolife six-speed automatic gearbox.
“We chose Irizar again this season as we feel it represents value for money with a good residual return” – Paul Murdoch, Director at Golden Boy Coaches
Paul Murdoch, Director at Golden Boy Coaches, said: “We chose Irizar again this season as we feel it represents value for money with a good residual return, we’ll also benefit from the anticipated efficiency of the new model, as any saving on fuel is always welcome.”
“The innovation that we see with the new i6S Efficient will no doubt reap benefits for the operator in terms of improved fuel consumption and increased service intervals” – Julie Hartley, Sales Director at Irizar UK
Julie Hartley, Sales Director at Irizar UK, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to continue the tradition with Golden Boy Coaches in taking our newly launched models. The innovation that we see with the new i6S Efficient will no doubt reap benefits for the operator in terms of improved fuel consumption and increased service intervals, which in turn will assist in reduced total cost of ownership and a maximisation of profit.”
The Golden Boy i6S Efficient is scheduled for delivery in the autumn of 2022.
An established customer of Irizar UK, Golden Boy Coaches has taken 16 integral Irizar coaches since the first in 2014, including i4, i6, i6S and i8 models which cover everything from school transportation to international touring. The company was one of the very first to place orders for both the i6S and i8 models.
The new i6S Efficient based on the Integral platform sees a reduction of 900kgs, achieved mainly through a transition to using high-strength steel and modern composites, an optimised layout rebalances the vehicle and also helps achieve greater internal space.
Aerodynamic coefficient has seen a reduction of 30% and combined with the weight saving and other adjustments results in a 13% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
These benefits come soon after those made in 2018, where improvements in the DAF/ZF driveline, overall reduction in weight and the power on demand electrification of key componentry resulted in up to 6% improvement in fuel consumption. Operating costs were also reduced through lower R&M processes, including increases to the oil and coolant change intervals and DPF cleaning interval.