Sharpes opts for 100% Allison
Sharpes of Nottingham is to specify Allison fully-automatic transmissions on future executive coach orders. The decision follows the company’s positive experience of the Allison T525R transmission in a Van Hool TX21 Altano.
The family business has worked with Van Hool coaches since buying its first three Van Hools 21 years ago. Sharpes’ latest order, a VDL Van Hool T17 Astron luxury coach, will be its first from the new VDL Van Hool organisation, following VDL’s acquisition of Van Hool in June 2024.
“The Allison transmission is incredibly responsive, quiet and smooth, almost like driving an electric bus” – Neil Sharpe, Managing Director at Sharpes of Nottingham
Neil Sharpe, Managing Director at Sharpes of Nottingham, said: “The premium luxury Van Hool coaches are considered to be relatively expensive by some, but in our opinion, they are the best you can buy. When we bought the TX21 Altano, we were aware that it came with the Allison transmission. We were used to the automated manual transmission (AMT) that comes as standard. But we found the fully automatic was a game-changer – those are the exact words used by our drivers!
“The Allison transmission is incredibly responsive, quiet and smooth, almost like driving an electric bus. When we talked to other coach operators about our experience, the sentiment was echoed, along with positive comments about the reliability, which the coach is living up to every day.
“It was therefore an easy decision to upgrade our order for the T17 Astron, due to arrive this summer, with an Allison transmission. In a normal year, we will purchase one or two new coaches and we plan to stick with Allison transmissions from now on. You get what you pay for. The Allison adds class and finesse to something that is already a quality product.
“The relationship with the UK team at Allison has been fantastic. We’ve recently been to their customer experience centre and factory in Hungary where we were impressed with how the transmissions are built, checked and tested.”
The VDL Van Hool T17 Astron luxury coach is equipped with a DAF NG MX 13 engine, available in two power configurations, 355kW/2,500Nm and 390kW/2,600 Nm. The T525R transmission is from the Allison Torqmatic Series and is designed for simple and efficient operations. It has six forward gears and a reverse gear equipped with 6th generation electronic controls for improved performance and diagnostic and prognostic functions.