Scania K360IB4x2EB Irizar i6
Soft products
Scania has been innovative in the way that it packages vehicles and creative in the options through which it offers operators the use of its products. An important new tool in this regard is telemetry, enabling the vehicle to be monitored at all times. The Scania C200 infotronics system was fitted, as it is on all vehicles sold on a retail basis. The operator gets an email once a week giving him full details of the driving including harsh braking instances, coasting and idling, helping in an education process designed to give better fuel economy.
Other i6 enigne options
As well as the 360hp variant of the nine-litre engine, there are two less powerful alternatives delivering 250hp and 280hp respectively, both of which are intended more for bus applications. Of these, the 250hp model is also SCR-only, while the 280hp engine utilises the combination of SCR and EGR. With the announcement of the low entry Irizar i3 body on the Scania K chassis, which was shown in right hand drive at the recent Busworld exhibition, the Scania Irizar combination will, for the first time, be available for bus applications.
In addition to the nine-litre engine family, Scania will also be offering the i6 with a 13-litre engine option. In theory operators will have the choice of either SCR-only or combined SCR/EGR emission control systems but their experience with Euro5 leads Scania to expect that, in practice, the overwhelming majority of customers going for the bigger engine will opt for the 410hp (2,150Nm) model which, like the nine-litre 360hp (1,700Nm) unit we experienced, is SCR only. The more powerful 450hp and 490hp models will feature EGR in addition to SCR.
As we revealed at the time of the visit, the first 13-litre K410 will go into build at the end of the year. This will be a 12.9m long 53-seater on three axles that is to enter service with City Circle during April, where it will run alongside Neoplan Tourliners. Performance will be closely monitored using the FMS infotronics system.
At Busworld, Scania announced that it is working with Cummins and will offer a Cummins produced engine as a seven-litre option for some applications. This unit will not be fitted in an i6 bodied chassis because it is only for bus applications.
Incidentally, I mentioned earlier the availability of tri-axle i6 Scanias and these can be supplied with either nine or 13-litre engines. West Coast Motors in Scotland has built up quite a fleet of 360hp Euro5 examples that are 14.2m long with front entrance lifts. It underlines the point that the 360hp unit is all you need for the two-axle.
Solus
During the 20th anniversary trip to the Irizar plant, Andy Garrett of Tamworth based Solus Coaches signed up to buy the coach we tested once its demonstration duties are complete in April next year. He already has a fleet that includes a number of Euro5 Scania i6s so the acquisition is a logical step for him.
Costs
I was told that the retail price of a coach to a similar specification to the one we tested was approximately £240,000. Obviously going for additional options such as PB style seats or the larger 13-litre engine would increase that figure. Orders can be placed now with delivery commencing in May 2014. To date, aside from Solus, there are no forward orders for the new i6 on Scania.
Last word
While there were a couple of respects in which the coach could be tweaked to further improve it, mainly with regard to noise insulation, on the basis of everything we saw, the i6 is a good package at a price that compares well with other competitors offering the 53-recliner plus toilet configuration. It drives well, is good for passengers, is relatively straightforward to maintain and enjoys one of the better support networks which are all telling factors in a competitive market.
By Stuart Jones
Dimensions
Length: 12,455mm
Width: 2,550mm
Height: 3,731mm
Wheelbase: 6,325mm
Front overhang: 2,710mm
Rear overhang: 3,420mm
ULW: 13,460kg
UK legal GVW: 18,000kg
Design GVW: 19.500kg