Anadolu Isuzu has eyes on UK for its 9.5m, 39-seat Visigo; in discussion to appoint dealer for midi
The prospect of a third challenger in the mid-sized, purpose-built coach sector has been raised by Anadolu Isuzu, which confirmed at last week’s FIAA show in Madrid that it is in talks to bring its rear-engined Visigo to the UK.
At 9.5m long and seating up to 39, the Visigo is powered by a Cummins ISB6.7 engine driving through a ZF gearbox.
It is built in Turkey and, says Export Specialist Sevcan Karaman, a UK-based dealer is to visit within weeks to discuss establishing a formal relationship with Anadolu Isuzu.
Only talk yet, but…
Anadolu Isuzu says that while no agreement is yet in place, entering the British market is among the company’s priorities. Its European headquarters is in Belgium and it has a presence in over 20 countries on the continent.
“We are actively working to take our products to the UK and it is a project that we intend to see through,” says Ms Karaman.
At the moment the Visigo has a six-speed automated AS-Lite gearbox, but during 2017 the automatic EcoLife will become available. Power will also be boosted; at the moment 250bhp is standard but the company confirms that the maximum will rise to 320bhp.
Stay tuned for more
There will be no talk of pricing until if and when a deal with a UK importer is confirmed, but Ms Karaman says that various options are already offered on left-hand drive coaches including rear floor-mounted toilet, servery, tables, USB charging points and leather seats. Also available is a glazed roof – thought to be a first in this segment – while underfloor luggage capacity is 5.5m3.
To join the Visigo, Ms Karaman adds that the 7.2m Turquoise – which can seat up to 33 – could also come to the UK. Further news is expected later this year.
