Months after initially announcing its intention to go into the heavy passenger bus market, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is to immediately start marketing and selling its first bus, the “Volksbus”.
VWSA said in a statement on Friday that the initial range will comprise 9,17 and 18 tonne buses with a passenger capacity between 16 and 65 depending on the configuration.
The chassis will be imported directly from Volkswagen commercial vehicles’ Resende plant in Brazil, and the body and fitments done by reputed South African suppliers.
The nine-tonne chassis is powered by a 4,3 litre four cylinder engine producing
107kW at 2 600rpm and 500Nm at 1 600rpm.
This engine is matched to a 5-speed ZF gearbox and makes it ideally suited
an urban commuter or small tour bus.
It has a seating capacity of 16 to 35 people depending on individual customer application. Its specifications are in line with the new taxi recapitalisation requirements.
The 17 tonne chassis is powered by a 6,5 litre 6-cylinder engine with 151kW of power at 2 600rpm and 657Nm of torque at 1 700rpm.
This engine is matched to a six-speed Eaton Fuller gearbox and is ideal for urban and rural commuter needs.
It has a choice of two axle ratios and a grade ability of up to 35%, which makes it especially suitable for mountainous rural areas.
It has a maximum capacity of 65 seated passengers.
The largest chassis is powered by an 8,3 litre 6-cylinder Cummins engine that is driven by a six-speed Eaton Fuller gearbox or an optional ZF ecomat automatic transmission. It has an impressive 223kW of power at 2 200 and a mammoth 1 92Nm of torque at 1 500 rpm.
It meets the requirements of short and long distance coach operators with a capacity of 36 passengers plus ablutions and a refrigerator.
All three models are equipped with all the suitable safety mechanisms applicable to vehicles of this nature like air brakes, brake drums at the front and rear, engine braking and a park brake.
The 9-tonne bus body is being manufactured and fitted by Busmark 2000, the 17-tonne by Busaf while the 18-ton is built by Marco Polo and Busscar. A fifth supplier, Irizar, will soon start supplying the bodies as well.
Due to their commercial application, VWSA has selected technicians from each of its 15 commercial vehicles dealers and sent them for intensive training in Brazil in order to enhance their ability to meet customer requirements. – I-Net Bridge