Johnsons Coaches has expanded its top-specification Luxury Traveller fleet with the addition of a further Irizar i8 integral, supplied by Irizar UK.
The 13.2m tri-axle seats just 43 passengers. It takes to 10 the number of Irizar integral coaches to have joined the Henley-in-Arden business since February 2020. Six of those are i6, i6S and i6S Efficient models for private hire duties. The other four are i8 examples.
All of the latter are 43-seaters for Luxury Traveller work, a programme that Commercial Director John Johnson says has been “very successful” for Johnsons since launch in 2021. It majors on high-end travel, with high-specification coaches and four-star hotels both part of the product.
“Our customers love the huge leg room on these coaches, plus the flat passenger deck and the high floor level,” adds Mr Johnson. “All 10 Irizars have DAF drivelines, which is always our preference, and Irizar UK has always looked after us well with aftercare service.”
Among the amenities fitted to the new i8 integral are a centre toilet, a Bosch Smart Series entertainment system, a vacuum cleaner and USB charging points. The passenger seats are equipped with lateral displacement, magazine nets, multi-position footrests and drop-down tables.
Johnsons has also opted for rear-view cameras on the coach, following the two i6S Efficient integrals delivered with that technology earlier in 2023. It gives benefits to both safety thanks to an enhanced view, and efficiency through reduced drag and fuel consumption.
The new i8 integral will be deployed as a Luxury Traveller vehicle for three years. To suit use beyond that, it has been supplied with additional seats and passenger service units to permit an increase in capacity to 53 later. Provision for subsequent compliance with PSVAR has also been incorporated.
Power comes from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 483bhp coupled to a ZF Traxon automated manual gearbox.
