Neoplan Skyliner[1]
A 2019 model year Neoplan Skyliner in FlixBus livery in Sorø, Denmark.
Overview
ManufacturerNeoplan Bus GmbH, subsidiary of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG[2]
Production1967–present
AssemblyPlauen, Saxony, Germany
Akyurt, Ankara, Turkey
DesignerKonrad Auwärter
Body and chassis
ClassCoach
Body styleDouble-deck multi-axle touring coach
LayoutLongitudinal rear-engine design
Powertrain
Engine12.5 L MAN D2676 LOH I6 multi-valve CR turbodiesel[3][4]
Transmission12-speed TipMatic ZF AS Tronic automated manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase6,700 and 1,470 mm (263.8 and 57.9 in)
Length14.00 m (45 ft 11 in)
Width2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
Height4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)
Kerb weight26,000 kg (57,320 lb) (GVWR)

The Neoplan Skyliner is a double-deck multi-axle luxury touring coach built by German coach manufacturer Neoplan. It was introduced in 1967.

History

A Do-Bus prototype at the Landesgartenschau in Bayreuth, June 2016

In 1964, the founder's second son, Konrad Auwärter, developed a double-deck design for a service bus as part of his dissertation.[5] The 'Do-Bus' design had extremely low weight, and could carry over 100 passengers.[5] It also featured a low-frame front axle with forward-mounted steering gear that permitted a low flat floor.[5][6] The double-deck principle was applied to coach design, creating a revolutionary high-capacity comfortable vehicle for touring. This vehicle became known as the Skyliner,[7] and created an image for the company that differentiated the Neoplan brand from its competitors, and created interest in its products across Europe.

A second manufacturing facility opened in Pilsting in 1973,[8][9] and a third opening in Kumasi, Ghana, in December 1974[8] to support a large order.[9]

The double-deck Skyliner concept was taken to its ultimate conclusion in 1975, with the introduction of the Jumbocruiser,[9] a double-deck articulated coach 18 metres (59 ft 1 in) long[6][9] and 4 metres (13 ft 1 in) high.[9] The Spaceliner,[10] introduced in 1979 took the Cityliner concept of passenger floor level above the driver, and extended the actual floor above the cab. This kept the height of the vehicle lower than a double-decker, at 3.65 metres (12 ft 0 in), but still allowed installation of toilets, kitchens or sleep cabins below the passenger compartment.[10] From 1983 to 2000, the quad-axle Neoplan Megaliner was produced as the larger production counterpart to the Skyliner.

US

In 1989, its subsidiary Neoplan USA introduced a domestically produced version of the Skyliner as the AN122/3, which designated the manufacturer (American Neoplan), model (122), and number of axles (3). Production in the United States qualified the bus for federal subsidies according to the requirements of the Buy America Act. The AN122/3 was available with Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines and Allison B500 transmissions which are fitted typically to transit buses, allowing the double-decker bus to share spares inventory and maintenance facilities with the rest of the bus fleet.[11]

Adoption of the Skyliner occurred mainly in California. AC Transit in Oakland, California evaluated one AN122/3 in April 1983 but did not proceed with a fleet purchase.[12] The Southern California Rapid Transit District of Los Angeles operated Neoplan USA Skyliners during the 1980s and early 1990s. Antelope Valley Transit Authority also operated Skyliners on their Lancaster-Los Angeles route during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

UK

The Neoplan Skyliner also gained popularity in the United Kingdom. Stagecoach bought some right-hand drive Skyliners during the 1980s to facilitate its new coaching division developed during the company's early years. In 2004, it bought 25 more N122/3L Skyliners for its modern coaching divisions the Oxford Tube and Megabus.[13] Trathens Travel Services of Plymouth also bought some Skyliners in 2005 for its National Express contracts. However, many of these were displaced following the 2007 accident with a National Express Skyliner (see below) - when some Plaxton Panthers were bought in 2007, followed in later years by double-decker Plaxton Panoramas and Van Hool Astromegas.

Japan

The Neoplan Skyliner has also gained popularity primarily as a long-distance/overnight and sightseeing bus in Japan ever since Chūō Kōtsū Bus (Osaka Prefecture) (ja:中央交通 (大阪府)) bought its first such bus in 1979. A shorter-wheelbase N122/2 version measuring 9 m (29 ft 6 in) in length developed specifically for the Japanese market also appeared for smaller and medium-sized bus operators from the mid-1980s.[14] Many Neoplan Skyliner buses in Japan use domestically produced powertrains and engines such as those from Nissan Diesel or Isuzu.

South Korea

Some Neoplan Skyliners are used mainly as sightseeing buses in Seoul and Daegu.

Accidents

In March 2003, near Nažidla in South Bohemian Region a Neoplan Skyliner overturned on Czech European route E55, killing nineteen people and one man died two years later due to the injuries sustained in the crash.[15] Thirty-four people were injured.[16] It was the biggest bus accident in history of the Czech Republic.[17]

In May 2003, a Neoplan Skyliner overturned on a French highway, killing twenty-eight people.[18] A report by French investigators recommended that drivers of double-deck coaches should receive special training because of the vehicle's relative instability. A separate study, presented to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in the same year reported that high-sided coaches were much more likely to overturn in crashes than standard single-deck coaches. The German manufacturer added a safety system, known as electronic stability control, which brakes each wheel separately to prevent overturning, in 2006.[19]

In January 2007 a Neoplan Skyliner operated by National Express overturned and crashed on the M25 motorway near Heathrow Airport, killing two passengers;[20] a third passenger died six-months later due to the injuries sustained in the crash.[21] The company temporarily withdrew all twelve Skyliners from service pending investigations[22][23] The crash was deemed to have been caused by travelling at excessive speed and the driver was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.[24] He was subsequently jailed for five years and banned from driving for three years.[25] No safety issues were found.[26] The electronic stability control system which had been introduced on new vehicles in 2006 was not used on this vehicle.[19]

Specifications

The Neoplan Skyliner has undergone a process of evolution in specification since its 1967 introduction. From 2009 until 2018, the double-deck Skyliner was available in two lengths: the Skyliner C and the Skyliner L.[1] The shorter C version was originally 12.00 metres (39 ft 4 in) long, but was later lengthened to 12.44 metres (40 ft 10 in); and the Skyliner L was 13.79 metres (45 ft 3 in) long, and includes a correspondingly longer wheelbase.[1] The Skyliner C was designed to seat 69 passengers plus two crew (driver and steward), whereas the Skyliner L seated 77 plus two.[1] From 2019, the Neoplan Skyliner was lengthened to 14 metres (45 ft 11 in), and can seat 83 passengers plus two crew (driver and steward), including space for up to two wheelchairs.

For the powertrain detail, current Skyliners use a MAN diesel engine sourced from Neoplan parent company MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. This Euro VI rated diesel fueled internal combustion engine is the 12.5 litre MAN D2676 LOH 02 straight-six (R6) common rail turbodiesel with intercooler, which displaces 12,419 cubic centimetres (757.9 cu in), and utilises four valves per cylinder and cylinder-direct fuel injection.[1][3][4] It uses a Bosch EDC7 electronic engine control unit, and also uses a 'PM-KAT' catalytic converter.[3][4] It produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 353 kilowatts (480 PS; 473 hp) at 1,900 revolutions per minute (rpm), and generates a torque turning force of 2,300 newton-metres (1,696 lbf⋅ft) at 1,050-1,400 rpm.[1][3][4] The engine is mounted upright in a longitudinal orientation at the rear of the coach,[1][3][4] and transmits its output to the rear roadwheels via a twelve-speed TipMatic ZF AS Tronic automated manual transmission.[1]

An interesting design on the Skyliner is its 'tag' third axle. This is able to articulate, during steering movements - and this helps reduce tyre wear,[1] which can afflict dual rear axle vehicles. It features disc brakes all round, and utilises independent suspension on the front and trailing third axles, whilst the driven axle is a solid version.[1]

Standard safety features include 'electronically regulated braking system' (EBS) with braking assistant (BA) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).[1] It also features a speed-limiting device called 'maximum speed control' (MSC), and is fitted with an accident data recorder (ADR).[1] An optional feature is the 'lane guard system' (LGS), which will vibrate the drivers seat should the coach drift out of its lane.[1]

Its maximum permissible weight is 26,000 kilograms (57,320 lb), and can have a total luggage volume of up to 7.9 cubic metres (279 cu ft).[1]

modelinternal combustion enginemax. power @ rpmmax. torque @ rpmtransmissionwheelbaselengthwidthheight
Skyliner C
(double-deck
multi-axle)[1]		MAN D2676 LOH 02,
12,412 cc (757.4 cu in) R6 common rail turbodiesel		353 kW (480 PS; 473 hp) @ 1,9002,300 N⋅m (1,696 lbf⋅ft)
@ 1,050-1,400		12-speed TipMatic
ZF AS Tronic automated manual		5,550 and 1,300 mm (218.5 and 51.2 in)12.44 m (40 ft 10 in)2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)
Skyliner L
(double-deck
multi-axle)[1]		MAN D2676 LOH 02,
12,412 cc (757.4 cu in) R6 common rail turbodiesel		353 kW (480 PS; 473 hp) @ 1,9002,300 N⋅m (1,696 lbf⋅ft)
@ 1,050-1,400		12-speed TipMatic
ZF AS Tronic automated manual		6,900 and 1,300 mm (271.7 and 51.2 in)13.79 m (45 ft 3 in)2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Neoplan Skyliner" (PDF). MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. Neoplan.de. 0908. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  2. ↑ "The strategy of the Neoplan VIP Class brand". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "MAN D2066, D2676 Common-Rail Euro4 vehicle diesel engines". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. Neoplan.info. Archived from the original on 21 March 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Technical data - Diesel engines for Buses". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG. Neoplan.info. Archived from the original (jpg image) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 "Milestones - History from 1961 to 1964". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  6. 1 2 "History - The story of Neoplan Bus GmbH". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  7. ↑ "Milestones - History from 1965 to 1971". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Locations - The plants of Neoplan Bus GmbH". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Milestones - History from 1972 to 1975". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  10. 1 2 "Milestones - History from 1976 to 1981". MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. Neoplan.de. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  11. ↑ "Neoplan Skyliner AN 122/3". Neoplan USA Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 September 2000.
  12. ↑ "AC Transit Bus Roster: Test Buses | Double Deck: 1983". AC Transit. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  13. ↑ "Stagecoach gets first new skylines | 15 February 1986 | The Commercial Motor Archive". archive.commercialmotor.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  14. ↑ "The NEOPLAN Skyliner success story | NEOPLAN".
  15. ↑ cs:Nehoda u Nažidel, Czech Wikipedia
  16. ↑ "Nineteen dead, 34 injured in horrific bus crash". Český rozhlas. 10 March 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
  17. ↑ "Tragická nehoda autobusu Nažidla 2003". Nažidla 2003. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
  18. ↑ "Profile: Neoplan Skyliner". BBC News. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  19. 1 2 Webster, Ben (5 January 2007). "Design inherently unstable, say investigators". The Times. London.
  20. ↑ "Two dead after M-way coach crash". BBC News. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  21. ↑ "Coach crash injuries caused death". BBC News. 20 July 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  22. ↑ "National Express removes coaches". BBC News. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  23. ↑ "Coach crash firm withdraws buses". BBC News. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  24. ↑ "Coach driver faces death charges". BBC News. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  25. ↑ "M25 coach deaths driver is jailed". BBC News. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  26. ↑ "Coach death driver pleads guilty - No safety problems". BBC News. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
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