Oh yeah, Scania is here in India. The company commenced the
production of its P410 trucks as CKD in June last year from its Narasapura
plant in Karnataka. All other Indian lineup comprising mining and on-road
trucks with its Metrolink Luxury Bus was showcased in the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo.
Deliveries of the Metrolink coaches have already begun.
The Inter-city luxury bus segment in India is long-dominated
and completely monopolised by Volvo for more than a decade. Volvo entered the
market in 2001 to mark the beginning of
a new era -with true bus chassis concept, low floor city buses,
multi-axle coaches, and host of comfort
and safety. There was hardly a direct substitute for its likeness, but Indian
buses with the expertise of local bus body builders have flared so well that
costly Volvo could hardly penetrate beyond the periphery of the market. Mercedes
Benz does offer series of luxury intercity buses in the single rear axle (4x2)
configuration, as does Isuzu Motors, but both are comparatively new to the
market and are gradually gaining momentum. At least in the past few years,
escalating market standards and consumer requirements have resulted in more
takers for Volvo buses.
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| Scania Metrolink HD 14.5 metre Multiaxle Coach. Note the effect of Tag Axle at the rear. |
Now Scania is here to test the sector. The Volvo 9400
finally gets a strong rival. In fact, the Metrolink is the only rival to the 9400
in the 14-metre, multi-axle (6x2) segment in India. The coaches are assembled
from CKD units with localisation of 30% initially. Let us explore both of them
in detail.
Image Gallery Update: Scania Metrolink HD Multi-axle Coach
Image Gallery Update: Scania Metrolink HD Multi-axle Coach
The Metrolink coaches are powered by Scania's 13-litre
6-cylinders turbo-charged DC 13 diesel engine, producing a max power of 410 bhp
@ 1900 rpm and max torque of 2000 Nm @ 1000-1350 rpm. The engine is coupled
with an 8-speed automated-manual gearbox with 'Opticruise' gear shift program, along with a build-in retarder and an
inter-cooler. It is Euro-III compliant and is capable of running in Ethanol
ED95 fuel configuration i.e a fuel mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% ignition
improver (often used in modified diesel engines).
In fact, the company claims that its entire engine lineup is compatible with ethanol and bio-diesel. Scania has also started trial runs of Ethanol powered city buses at the city of Nagpur.
In fact, the company claims that its entire engine lineup is compatible with ethanol and bio-diesel. Scania has also started trial runs of Ethanol powered city buses at the city of Nagpur.
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| Scania's Driver Seat |
While the Volvo 9400 has in its rear a comparably smaller
9-litre 6-cylinders D9B diesel motor that is turbo-charged and Intercooled,
with a build in retarder. The max output values are 340 bhp of power and 1600
Nm of torque. It comes with a 6-speed mannual, fully synchronised gearbox, and is Euro-III compliant. It is to be noted that Volvo has not
updated its engine offering for a fairly long time owing to its monopoly and
high sales.
# Dynamics
The hydraulic power assisted steering system with a
circulating ball-and-nut type steering gear enables small turning circle
(considering its length) for both the buses. The 9400 has a turning radius of
10.5 metres while the Metrolink has a little larger radius at 12.5 metres.
Ground Clearance for both the coaches is 270 mm. Pneumatic (Compressed Air)
suspension is a standard features in all wheels with almost same configuration
in both 9400 and Metrolink.
The Metrolink has a speed limiter at 90 kmph, while the
Volvo can touch a top speed of 100 kmph. Sophisticated suspension system with
multi-axle configuration lends a balanced center-of-gravity and superior high
speed stability for the buses.
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| Volvo 9400 |
This class of luxury coaches are loaded with safety
features, which are desperately absent in every others buses on our roads. Of
course you pay too much for these luxury liners, but considering the instances
of highway accidents by intercity buses and their massive death tolls, we have
to understand its importance. Because every buses carry almost same amount of
passengers, and even our modern low-cost Tata and AL buses are capable of
reaching a max speed of 100 kmph on open highways. So vulnerability is indeed
the same for every intercity buses.
Both the Metrolink and the Volvo 9400 enjoy disc brakes in
all wheels, ABS and Electronic Braking System, Electronic Stability Programme,
Electronic stability programme, Hill Hold, and seat belts. In addition, the
Metrolink gets Traction Control, retarder (manual/ automatic control), automatic exhaust braking system, and reversing camera. Since both the coaches
are built on a strong frame upon ladder-frame chassis, roll-over protection is
much better than a typical custom-built coaches. Radial tube-less tyres in both
the coaches ensure better road grip and stability.
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| Volvo 9400's Dashboard |
Unlike cars, these coaches comes with variety of optional
packages. Buyers can choose among accessories like curtains on windows, reading
lights, gangway lights, LED Screens, DVD
player, Radio/USB, Speakers with sub-woofers, Refrigerator, Lavatory in both
the models. Air conditioning is standard on both the coaches. While the Scania also comes with LCD screen options in front and middle, along with the Scania Fleet Management system.
# N for Neutral
Ok, I lied. It isn't a 'Swedish Clash' in true sense. In
fact there is nothing like Swedish or German or American! Every automobiles of
our times are "Global" is strict sense. Though Volvo Group is still based in Sweden, Scania's majority stakes are owned by VW group. Automakers have footprints across countries, with designing and R & D taking place at several centers across the globe. It's just exotic to use such phrases of nationalities and exploit those stereotypes
associated to them.
Don't ask me Scania or Volvo. It isn't that simple to
answer. But the whole point is that we
have got a new liner in the segment, the only rival to the Volvo 9400. That's
a lot!
And to the question of which looks better, that I was
deliberately trying to avoid, again, it is not like cars to comment. Buses are
boxy and tall, there is no big deal here! But I like the use of black tone in
the face and the panels of the Metrolink. The rear design is also little
different. I'm bored of Volvo's looks, so why not consider newbie??
Head over to our comprehensive photo gallery: Scania Metrolink HD 14.5m Multi-axle Coach
Next, would you like to read more on Scania, Volvo, Buses, or Commercial Vehicles ??
Photo credit: Scania, schumi0101
Head over to our comprehensive photo gallery: Scania Metrolink HD 14.5m Multi-axle Coach
Next, would you like to read more on Scania, Volvo, Buses, or Commercial Vehicles ??
Photo credit: Scania, schumi0101