Penske Commercial Vehicles’ MAN bus team, together with Bus and Coach Sales Australasia (BCSA) and body builder Bonluck, will unveil the MAN ‘President’ at the Bus Expo and Maintenance Conference in Melbourne next week.

With sharp modern looks, a 1,400 mm floor line, 11 m³ of luggage capacity, and MAN’s proven quality, reliability, and efficiency underneath, it is an ideal solution for day charter or coach applications.

The MAN President will soon have company in the form of an entry level ‘Senator’ range which is a well-equipped school or charter bus for operators seeking a price conscious, yet highly reliable, solution without needing to compromise on the underpinning MAN quality.   

Both the President and Senator are built on the well-established IC 19.320 RR8 chassis from MAN’s modular Lion’s Chassis range that features MAN’s tried and proven 10.5 L, 320 hp, urea-free D20 city bus power plant which delivers a motivating 1,600 Nm of torque from as low as 1,000 rpm.

This is matched to a six-speed ZF Ecolife transmission that provides move-off confidence in mixed or challenging traffic conditions that far exceeds the competition.

“MAN was seeking to establish a locally represented and supported high floor bus product that offered improved lead times and design flexibility to accommodate customer requirements, and at an attractive price point. By coming together with BCSA and Bonluck, we have been able to achieve this,” said Clint Stoermer, national sales and service manager – bus, Penske Commercial Vehicles.

“Additionally, flexible body and seating design options are available to suit, so whether operators require a cost effective school bus in the Senator, or a premium President option, both ranges have solutions to suit all.

“MAN’s IC 19.320 RR8 chassis boasts fully integrated safety features and the latest in commercial vehicle technology including electronic stability program (ESP), electrically controlled air suspension (ECAS), electronic braking system (EBS), and MAN’s ‘brakematic’ feature that enables downhill driving speed to be set by cruise control or the brake pedal, to hold a constant speed by automatically activating the retarder. 

“Furthermore, options include driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), emergency brake assist (EBA), and lane guard system (LGS).

“Together with a relaxing and whisper-quiet environment, exceptional performance and handling, outstanding fuel efficiency, and generous maintenance intervals, the stylish and maintenance-friendly President and Senator ranges are the ultimate solutions for school and charter applications.”

MAN’s IC 19.320 chassis also offers a right or ‘clean side’ cooling package with adjustment-free hydrostatic fan drive plus an adjustment-free engine-mounted air conditioning compressor belt drive. Thus eliminating noise, vibration, and maintenance burdens that are associated with alternate designs.

The President will be offered with MAN’s premium coach comfort suspension package that comprises independent front suspension with stabiliser and a wide air spring track rear suspension with stabiliser.

The Senator will be offered with MAN’s durable rigid front axle and standard drive axle suspension with stabiliser.

With these two options, MAN is delivering chassis and body combinations to suit the full breadth of customer budgetary and application requirements.

Visit MAN at stand BS13 at the Bus Expo and Maintenance Conference for an up close view of the President.