Minibus Options builds “UK’s largest” wheelchair accessible minibus

Minibus Options has completed what is thought to be the UK’s largest wheelchair accessible minibus conversion. The M2 category minibus can accommodate up to seven wheelchairs. It is based on the Iveco Daily, which is now offered with a 4,100mm wheelbase plus an extra-long rear overhang, making the vehicle over 7.6m in length. Minibus Options was one of the first bodybuilding partners to join the Iveco Busmaster advocate programme in 2016. It features a cut-in stepwell and manual fold-out step from the front near-side sliding door and it has an electro hydraulic tuck-away tail-lift at the rear doors. The new model is based on a conversation of the Daily 50C15 panel van with a 3.0litre Euro 6 146hp diesel engine coupled with Iveco’s Hi-Matic eight-speed automatic transmission.

Sales Director at Minibus Options, Fred James, said: “The Daily has provided us with an opportunity to use all of our experience to design a vehicle which is entering the realms of coach-built minibuses in terms of wheelchair capacity. Previously if you wanted more than six wheelchairs on board you’d need to take the coach-built route, but with our solution we can bring this vehicle to market for less than £60,000. That’s a significant saving and we are expecting strong interest.”

Abdi Ali, Product Manager at Iveco Bus UK, has also been working closely with Minibus Options on the design of a similar model, which will be able to take advantage of Iveco’s natural gas-powered engine range. The Iveco Daily Natural Power minibus conversion offers capacity for up to five wheelchairs, owing to the tail-lift needing to be positioned internally to free external space for gas tank storage.

To view a vehicle walkaround video produced by Minibus Options, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lJJe0I_hv4

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