VDL Ambassador

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Ambassador

Introduction in Kortrijk Busworld 2001

Artist Impression

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Ambassador

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Customer base Ambassador

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Ambassador

Light weight bus conceptLight weight bus concept

Low entry bus (semi-low floor)Low entry bus (semi-low floor)

City / intercity bus City / intercity bus (Class I / Class II)(Class I / Class II)

Overall length 10,6m and 12mOverall length 10,6m and 12m

Built on a VDL Bus chassisBuilt on a VDL Bus chassis

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Ambassador – the light weight bus concept

KEEP IT AS SIMPLE KEEP IT AS SIMPLE

AS POSSIBLE !AS POSSIBLE !

The solution:The solution:• sandwich constructionssandwich constructions• lighter componentslighter components• assembly friendlyassembly friendly

Focus on Public Transport Focus on Public Transport

• Changing market EUChanging market EU

• Operating competitive basis Operating competitive basis

• Bus operating costs Bus operating costs essential essential

• Private players entering thePrivate players entering the

market on low cost basis market on low cost basis

Low Cost objectives:Low Cost objectives:

• Reduction fuel consumptionReduction fuel consumption

• Minimize R&MMinimize R&M

• Easy to clean [interior]Easy to clean [interior]

• Manufacturing advantagesManufacturing advantages

• Regional and city conceptRegional and city concept

THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH THE SOLUTIONTHE SOLUTION THE RESULTTHE RESULT

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Specified to rely on:Specified to rely on:• High grade materialsHigh grade materials• Multiplex electricsMultiplex electrics• Stainless steel exhaustStainless steel exhaust• Fast response kneelingFast response kneeling• Safety interlocksSafety interlocks• Heavy duty componentsHeavy duty components

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Ambassador 180180 / 200

Ambassador 180Ambassador 180 Ambassador 200Ambassador 200 length:length: 10,600 mm10,600 mm 11,950 mm11,950 mm

width:width: 2,500 mm2,500 mm 2,500 mm2,500 mm

height:height: 2,920 mm2,920 mm 2,920 mm2,920 mm

wheelbase:wheelbase: 5,400 mm5,400 mm 6,200 mm6,200 mm

tyrestyres 265/70 R19,5265/70 R19,5 265/70 R19,5265/70 R19,5

empty weightempty weight ± ± 8,700 kg8,700 kg ±± 8,900 kg 8,900 kg

max. GVWmax. GVW 14,440 kg14,440 kg 14,440 kg14,440 kg

max. seats:max. seats: 3535 4343

max. passengers:max. passengers: ± ± 8080 ± ± 8080

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Rear overhang

SB180

SB200

Body interface / weight reduction

  

          

Aluminium tank Aluminium tank 250 l = -27kg250 l = -27kg

Side fill fuel & ureaSide fill fuel & ureaIntegrated pre-heaterIntegrated pre-heater

Improved rearImproved rear body interfacebody interface

Steel coated pipesSteel coated pipesreplaced by aluminiumreplaced by aluminium

pipespipes

Several frame optimisations

e.g. deletion of gearbox mounting

Urea tankUrea tank

IntegratedIntegrated air-conair-con

interfaceinterface

Further reduction Further reduction in no. of partsin no. of partsNew gearboxesNew gearboxes

= –10 kg= –10 kgNew gearboxesNew gearboxes

= –10 kg= –10 kgNew automatic sump New automatic sump

top-up system & 6ltr tanktop-up system & 6ltr tank

Easy levelling Easy levelling system for system for bodybuilderbodybuilder

Easy levelling Easy levelling system for system for bodybuilderbodybuilder

N.B. Euro 4 achieved N.B. Euro 4 achieved without a weight without a weight penalty!penalty!

N.B. Euro 4 achieved N.B. Euro 4 achieved without a weight without a weight penalty!penalty!

Improved Life Cycle Cost

  

          

Aluminium tank Aluminium tank 250 l with improved250 l with improved

connectionsconnections

Integrated pre-heaterIntegrated pre-heater

Improved layout ofImproved layout ofpipes /side dip & fillpipes /side dip & fill

Alu pipes replacingAlu pipes replacingsteel coatedsteel coated

New engineNew engine mountingsmountings

New header tankNew header tankincl. level/led signalincl. level/led signal

New auto sump New auto sump top-up systemtop-up system

New Cummins 6.7l New Cummins 6.7l engine (was 6l).engine (was 6l).

High torque @ low revs.High torque @ low revs.

Longer intervals. Voith .5 & ZF 6hp504 to Longer intervals. Voith .5 & ZF 6hp504 to 120/150,000 km (synthetic oil). Voith filters external120/150,000 km (synthetic oil). Voith filters external

Improved electrical connectors, Improved electrical connectors, protection and routingprotection and routing

Improved Improved serviceabilityserviceability

of brakeof brake componentscomponents

Extended oil drain intervalsExtended oil drain intervals 800-1500 hours800-1500 hours

Improved kingpinImproved kingpin assemblyassembly

Front axle

Improved accessibilityImproved accessibilityto main componentsto main components

2x 100A alternators2x 100A alternators

Engine Engine mounted mounted

air-con air-con compressorscompressors

Optimised Optimised fan drive (fuel)fan drive (fuel)-30% max. rpm-30% max. rpm

Reduced no. Reduced no. of partsof parts

Maintenance Maintenance free propshaftfree propshaft

New exhaust, New exhaust, shields & shields & bracketsbrackets

New exhaust, New exhaust, shields & shields & bracketsbrackets

St. steel St. steel hydraulic pipeshydraulic pipes

Noise, environment & safety

  

          

New engine/gearbox mountings New engine/gearbox mountings for reduced vibrationfor reduced vibration

Silent hydraulicSilent hydraulic & steering pumps& steering pumps

Optimised noise Optimised noise insulationinsulation materialmaterial

New exhaust,New exhaust, brackets & shieldsbrackets & shields

Stiffer optimisedStiffer optimised frameframe

Further improvements to Body connections/interfaces

Fire resistant Fire resistant sheathing oversheathing over

hydraulic hoseshydraulic hoses

Improved electrical connectors,Improved electrical connectors, protection and routingprotection and routing

Exhaust tailpipeExhaust tailpipeextendedextended

Optimised Optimised fan drive (noise)fan drive (noise)-30% max. rpm-30% max. rpm

New fastenersNew fasteners for hydraulic for hydraulic

pipes = reducedpipes = reduced vibrationvibration

Pre-heater connectedPre-heater connected and bledand bled

ECU engine mountedECU engine mounted (no longer fuel cooled)(no longer fuel cooled)

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Highlights of the Ambassador

2001: Launch of the Ambassador.2001: Launch of the Ambassador.

Deliveries:Deliveries:

Proven Proven

ReliabilityReliability

2006: introduction of the Ambassador 180!2006: introduction of the Ambassador 180!

2006: introduction of “EEV” engines!2006: introduction of “EEV” engines!

2002 54

2003 233

2004 270

2005 538

2006

2007

2008

243

347

484

2169

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

VDL Bus Modular Chassis SB180 / SB200VDL Bus Modular Chassis SB180 / SB200

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components Engine: make: Cummins

type: ISBe4 225 6,7 litre 6-cyl. diesel engine

location: vertical behind rear axle

power: 165 kW at 2000 rpm

torque: 850 Nm at 1200-1700 rpm

fuel system: Bosch HPCR common rail fuel injection system (1600

Bar)

fuel tank: approx. 250 litres

emission: Euro IVby means of SCR (AdBlue)

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

Engine Power / Torque:

ISBeISBe44 225 225

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SCR System Schematic

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

Gearbox: make: VOITH

type: D 854.5E

gears: 4-speed automatic

ratio’s: 5,20 – 0,77

operation: D-N-R switch

retarder: integrated retarderoperated by brake

pedal

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Ambassador 200 – Main components

Axles:Front axle

make / type: DANA NDS56LF

load capacity: 5.000 kg

Rear axle (driven axle)

make / type: DANA 09-24

load capacity: 9.440 kg

reduction ratio: 4.88:1 or 5.83 : 1

max. speed: 110 km/h (theoretical), limited to 96 km/h

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

Suspension: make: CLS (integrated system by VDL Bus)

type: electronically controlled air suspension

air bellows: CONTITECH, 2x front, 2x rear shock abs.: KONI, 2x front, 2x rear

kneeling: at front axle, optionally available at front + rear axle

ferry lift: at both axles

Level sensors: 3 sensors; 1 at the front / 2 at the rear

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

Brakes: make: KNORR disc brakes all round

system: dual circuit system with air-mechanical disc brakes

brake pads: asbestos free

ABS/ASR: ABS standard / ASR optional

parking brake: spring brake on driven axlewith adjustable operation

halt brake: with reduced pressure on driven axle

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Ambassador 180 / 200 – Main components

Electric System: system: ACTIA multiplex system with programmable units

and CAN interface

display: CIPA display with LCD screen

voltage: 24 Volt

alternators: 2x 100 Amp

batteries: 2x 200 Ah

charge conn.: NATO charge / start connector

emergency: emergency switch acc. to ECE R36

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Ambassador 200 – Main components

Body: structure: 3CR12 stainless steel

framework

roof: sandwich construction with aluminium profile for fixation of side walls

floor: sandwich construction with steel edges for fixation of framework

side panels: fibreglass bonded to the framework

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Ambassador 200 – Main components

Body / Exterior: front / rear: stainless steel

framework covered by fibreglass

doors: single blade entrance door / double blade exit door (VENTURA)

glazing: single glazed side windows

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Ambassador 200

Layout:

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits

Light Weight:Empty weightEmpty weight

Ambassador 200:Ambassador 200: ± ± 8,900 8,900 kgkg

Conventional 12m busConventional 12m bus 11T+ 11T+

GVWGVW

Ambassador 200:Ambassador 200: 14,440 14,440 kgkg

Conventional 12m bus:Conventional 12m bus: 18T18T

20 % WEIGHT REDUCTION !!20 % WEIGHT REDUCTION !!

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits

Fuel Consumption

Experience with customer base:

reduction of 12–16 %

Compared to a 18T Bus

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits Interior: attractive, spacious and easy to clean / 2+2

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits Interior: attractive, spacious and easy to clean / 2+1

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits

Driver’s Compartment: ergonomic and spacious

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits Easy access for passengers

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits

Serviceability: easy access to all components for: daily maintenancedaily maintenance

periodic maintenanceperiodic maintenance

repairsrepairs

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Ambassador 200 – Features & Benefits Safety: Crash test

crash test to simulate an accident with a speed of 36 km/h.crash test to simulate an accident with a speed of 36 km/h.

result: minor damage, two GRP panels and some minimal bend frameworkresult: minor damage, two GRP panels and some minimal bend framework

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Ambassador 200

Features & BenefitsFeatures & Benefits Economic fuel consumption

Safety and excellent drivability

Only 3 service flaps on the rear for easy serviceability

Perfect view for the driver, less reflection through curved windscreen

Bright colors, spacious and clean impression

Cantilever seat support, easy to clean, LED illuminated steps

Ergonomic dashboard with LCD display

Various compartments for storage and stowage

Comfortable climate control

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Ambassador 180 / 200

Low operating cost

Light weight

Safe

Comfortable

Reliable

Modular concept

Modern design