The X’Clusive 2

EVM’s top of the range vehicle is the X’Clusive an unabashed luxury minicoach that sets trends and pushes the boundaries. Since introducing the X’Clusive EVM have gone on to supply a large number of them to operators in the UK, Ireland and also in Europe. Features like the all glazed roof and advanced in-coach entertainment systems have set them apart. With the arrival of the Euro6 Sprinter EVM decided to up-grade the package and make some important changes to the specification.

The change to the front end of the Sprinter caused by the installation of the Euro6 engine package prompted EVM to modify the body styling pack that they fit to this model. Whilst the side and rear treatments did not need modifying the front bumper did and this has been changed to reflect the new styling of the base vehicle and to incorporate the daytime driving lights. Standard X’Clusive features like EuroLiner wheeltrims and chrome detailing are retained.

A new version of the Masats powered plug door is fitted featuring full length glazing. It opens onto a three step entrance with easy steps and well placed grab handles. Once inside you immediately see one of the changes as the glazed roof now extends to virtually the full width of the vehicle. This has been achieved without compromising strength or legislative conformity. It does give the X’Clusive 2 an incredible light and airy feel. As before, glazed roof mesh screens are provided to shade the roof if necessary.

The vehicle I was testing had been produced for Grange Travel of Gravesend, Kent and was specified to their requirements with 13 Executive recliners trimmed in two tone leather, armrests to the gangway sides and full belts. The chosen layout had some of the seats set at single or double tables. The X’Clusive 2 can be fitted with up to 16 seats.

Full length parcel racks incorporate individual passenger controls and have driver’s lockable lockers at the front end. Lighting uses an LED system and can be varied to set the desired mood. The doorway and step edges are also illuminated when the door is open and an in-step illuminated company logo can be fitted.

The vehicle had an under dash fridge and a second cooler box between the rear seats. Soft pile carpet, wood effect flooring and full draw curtains completed the interior furnishing. New style solid wood cappings are fitted to the window sills, continuing the luxury theme. A Webasto climate controlled air conditioning system is ducted through the racks.

In-coach entertainment is very important in this sector and the X’Clusive 2 doesn’t stint on it. The Grange coach was fitted with a 1500W inverter, located in the boot, powering four 13amp sockets in the rear saloon area. It operates independently of the coach’s own batteries. Also provided are sockets for electronic equipment and an Icomera Wi-Fi system.

Two drop down 17in TV screens are provided, one at the front and one on the rear bulkhead. These are connected to a Parrot Asteroid Smart Multimedia System, which can also connect into individual Smart Phones and tablets. Sound is connected to the comprehensive in-coach speaker system which incorporates a PA system. I covered the Parrot system in more detail in BCB issue 1245, 4 October 2013.

Other features of the X’Clusive 2 are its panoramic, tinted double glazed windows and its comprehensive boot with lift-up, coach style door. The boot incorporates a fold down luggage shelf half-way up the safety bulkhead.

Looking after the driver X’Clusive 2 retains the panoramic windscreen with pull down blinds introduced on the original X’Clusive and to the already high standard of the Sprinter cab interior they add a few touches: matching leather trim to the driver seat; an individual air conditioning system; LED lighting when the driver’s door is opened; soft pile carpet except in hard wear areas; mobile phone connection through Bluetooth; satellite navigation and a reversing camera. These latter items are fed into the dash mounted touch screen of the Parrot system which also incorporates a voice actuation system for many functions.

Not all the items I have mentioned here are part of the standard package but few X’Clusive’s are built to a standard specification and the list of available options is long. EVM pride themselves on being able to find a solution to any client’s requirements. X’Clusive’s are bespoke vehicles but represent exceptional value for money.

This particular X’Clusive 2 was built using the top of the range 4,325mm wheelbase Sprinter 519 fitted with the 193bhp V6 Euro6 engine and 7G Tronic Plus automatic transmission. It measured 7,345mm long, 1,990mm wide and 2,800mm high.

I’ve always been impressed by 519s when I’ve driven them. They are exceptionally powerful but deliver that power in a controlled, docile fashion. With its 440Nm torque back up this Sprinter is always on top of the job and it is exceptionally quiet.

I took the X’Clusive 2 over the same test route as the Classic and found they compared very closely with each other. Performance up the long climb to the M23 was practically the same and achieved without effort. Again I detected that the 7G transmission was making the changes around 200rpm earlier than the previous model. Once again I found that on the motorway up against the limiter the engine was pulling around 600rpm less than the Euro5 model.

The V6 was already a very quiet engine but to my mind the Euro6 version is even quieter. It is certainly the epitome of smoothness and again the new 7G Tronic-Plus automatic transmission is quietly impressive making barely discernable changes.

Vision through the panoramic windscreen is unparalleled and all the remotely adjustable mirrors provide good coverage and a consistent view. I found the new steering wheel with its thicker rim very comfortable.

Once again the quality of the EVM build showed with the same solidity of the structure. The was no vibration, none of the trim moved and nothing rattled.

I put EVM’s Peter Flynn in the driver’s seat so I could experience the vehicle from the passenger view point. The seats are extremely comfortable, real luxury but still with good support. The Webasto air conditioning provided a very comfortable ambience and the glazed roof makes the vehicle feel so much bigger.

When we were parked up, Peter demonstrated the Parrot system to me again operating it directly from his own Smart phone. We switched between the BBC 1’o’clock News live, recorded music, made phone calls, checked the vehicle’s location through the SatNav and brought up EVM’s website to check a couple of facts – all very impressive.

I know few operators have the V6 Sprinter, understandably because it is more expensive to buy initially and to run, but I have to say it is an impressive animal and if I was buying a super luxury minicoach I would give it serious consideration.

Euro6 claims

So will the Euro6 Sprinter live up to the claims made for it by Mercedes-Benz, especially in the area of fuel consumption? On my short evaluation I could not tell if there was an improvement but I have to contend that the vehicles, whether fitted with the 163bhp four-cylinder or the 193bhp V6 engines, are so on top of the job that they should be. I asked Seamus McDade whether he was seeing any improvement, but he has not really had his Euro6 Sprinters long enough to produce a reliable result. He finds it usually takes a new Sprinter a couple of months operating on their schedules to settle down and provide reliable figures. At the moment the Euro6 vehicles are averaging around 26.8mpg which is about two mpg lower than he achieves with his Euro5s, but he would expect the Euro6 consumption to improve as they settle down and get some mileage under their belts.

I should add that Airporter operate a strict programme promoting good fuel economy with their drivers incentivised to achieve good figures. Seamus sets high standards in this regard. He regularly monitors the fleet and as far as he is concerned if he can’t drive the vehicle on the company’s punishing schedules and achieve 30mpg, there is something wrong. He averages around 32mpg!

Talking to Peter Flynn some days after I had done the evaluation, he reported that Grange Travel were achieving 24-26mpg with their 519 X’Clusive 2 in service and it isn’t even run in yet!

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the Euro6 Sprinters are impressive and they do hold out the prospect of achieving good fuel consumption if driven properly. Whether they will be cheaper to run remains to be seen because you have to use AdBlue and that represents an additional cost. The jury is out on whether they will actually deliver fuel use reduction.

EVM again demonstrated the quality of its conversions whether it is at the entry level with the Classic or at the high end with the new X’Clusive 2 which raises the bar once again.

For further information on EVM Products contact them on 0845 5205160
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.evmdirect.co.uk

By Rob Orchard