Wrightbus launches new Ultroliner model variant

StreetDeck Ultroliner (Photo: Wrightbus)

Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus is to launch a new StreetDeck Ultroliner double-decker model. The new bus will use a Cummins B6.7 six-cylinder diesel engine which incorporates a VGT unit from Cummins Turbo Technologies. The vehicle will further feature the Voith DIWA.8 NXT seven-speed transmission.

Like the existing Ultroliner four-cylinder model, the latest variant will be Ultra-Low Emission Bus (ULEB) accredited.

The first five examples of the new Ultroliner will be delivered to Bus Vannin, the government-owned bus service on the Isle of Man (located between Great Britain and Ireland in the Irish Sea).

Two power output choices are available: 250 hp/187 kW, 1000 Nm and 300 hp/224 kW, 1200 Nm. Both versions are Euro 6 compliant.

Commenting on the new diesel model, Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus said: “We are rightly known as a predominantly zero-emission bus manufacturer, and we are very proud of being the largest provider of zero-emission buses in Europe earlier this year.

“However, the fact remains that not everyone has the funding to be able to make the switch to zero emission. As a result, we believe in a blended approach of responsible technologies: battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and the cleanest diesel technologies to ensure all our customers can continue to decarbonise as quickly as possible, whilst still maintaining financially viable operations.

“With that being the case, our role here is to make sure our diesel buses are as clean and efficient as possible and to ensure we can give them a second life as a zero-emission bus in the future through our NewPower business.”

NewPower is the repower option which carries out replacement of diesel powertrains with battery-electric power. At the same time, the bus can be repainted and refurbished, saving on the carbon which would be created to produce a new vehicle.

According to Wrightbus, repowering of an existing bus can be completed for about 50% of the cost of a new electric model. The competed repower bus is homologated, tested (MOT) and warrantied by Wrightbus.