MAN NLxx3F
| MAN NL223F – NL323F (A22) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | MAN |
| Production | 1998–present |
| Assembly | Munich, Germany |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Bus chassis |
| Body style | Single-decker bus |
| Doors | 1, 2 or 3 |
| Floor type | Low floor |
| Related | MAN NLxx3 Lion's City (A21) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | MAN D2066LUH MAN E2876LUH (CNG) |
| Power output | 220-320 hp |
| Transmission | Voith or ZF |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 5875 mm |
| Length | 10.5-12.0 m (bodied) |
| Width | 2500-2550 mm |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | MAN NLxx2F (898) |
The MAN NLxx3F is a series of low-floor single-decker city bus chassis for 10.5 to 12.0 metres length,[1] offered by MAN since 1998, with internal code A22. They are based on the integral low-floor MAN NLxx3 Lion's City (A21). Available versions since launch include NL223F, NL233F, NL243F, NL263F, NL273F, NL283F, NL313F and NL323F. LPG and CNG versions are also available, with NL313F CNG being the most powerful.
Operators
United Kingdom
Wrightbus initially developed a bodywork for the MAN NL273F, the Wright Meridian.[2] It was the first MAN chassis to be bodied by Wrightbus. A Meridian demonstrator was launched at the Coach & Bus Live 2007, which entered service with Whitelaws. Regal Busways, Newbury Buses and Diamond Bus North West each operate an handful of Wright Meridian-bodied NL273Fs across the United Kingdom. It can only have 1 door (front entrance).
Spain
EMT Madrid of Madrid, Spain received a total of 84 CNG-powered NL313F CNGs in 2008. They were bodied by Castrosua and Burillo.[3]
In 2011, five 10.4m NL283Fs and one Hispano Area-bodied NL283F began operating in Santiago de Compostela and Buñol respectively.[4][5]
Israel
Dan Bus Company and Egged operate a fleet of NL323Fs in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Singapore
SMRT Buses of Singapore received a 12.0m MCV Evolution-bodied NL323F demonstrator in 2010 for evaluation, registered as SMB138Y. Following a successful trial, SMRT Buses placed a follow-up order of 200 buses through ST Kinetics, the largest order of NL323Fs at that time.[6][7] These production batch buses were bodied under licence by Gemilang Coachworks with the bodywork design based on the MAN Lion's City Hybrid, and entered service on 2 October 2011. In 2013, SMRT Buses placed an additional order for 202 buses with similar specifications as the first batch of buses, with minor differences in the seating configuration for later buses. A further order of 332 buses was made in 2014, with largely similar specifications as the earlier buses.
As part of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM), some of the buses were transferred to Tower Transit Singapore under the Bulim bus package. These buses were repainted into the lush green livery. The last 26 buses to be registered from the order of 332 buses were also painted into the lush green livery prior to entering service.
In October 2016, a MAN NL323F concept bus with 3 doors was exhibited at the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE). Marketed as the MAN Lion's City SD 3Dr, it features a modified bodywork design based on the MAN Lion's City Hybrid, built to a low-entry configuration under licence by Gemilang Coachworks. The bus was later painted into the lush green livery and began a 6-month trial service with SMRT Buses from 19 June 2017, starting on bus service 190.
References
- ^ MAN Bus chassis MAN Truck & Bus
- ^ "Wrightbus to body MAN A22 for new Meridian". Busandcoach.com. 6 April 2006.
- ^ "Dynetek AGM 2008" (PDF). Dynetek. 23 June 2009.
- ^ "Transporte Urbano de Santiago (Tussa), Santiago de Compostela". stadtbus.de Bus Magazine. 12 February 2011.
- ^ "Transvía adquiere un Area y dos Inteas de Tata Hispano sobre bastidores de MAN y VDL". Nexotur. 7 October 2011.
- ^ "More buses added to 'enhance commuting'". AsiaOne. 3 October 2011.
- ^ "SMRT unveils new fleet of buses". Today. 1 October 2011.
External links
Media related to MAN NL xx3F at Wikimedia Commons
