Turas 900s is built on Lancashire-made chassis; up to 37 seats are possible in long-wheelbase version
Brian Noone and its UK dealership Midlands Bus and Coach Sales unveiled the Turas 900s midicoach at EBE, which is based on the DAF LF chassis.
The LF is assembled at DAF’s Leyland plant and supplied in cabless form. That gives a slight cost benefit over the Mercedes-Benz Atego used beneath the Turas 900 and Turas 900v models. Both of the latter remain part of the line-up.
When bodied, the DAF chassis has the same set-back cab as its sisters. As displayed, the Turas 900s seats up to 33 at 10,000kg GVW, but an extended wheelbase 12,000kg GVW variant will be available with potential for up to 37 seats.
Power is from the 4.5-litre Paccar DAR PX-5 engine developing 210bhp coupled to either a manual or an automated ZF gearbox.
“We believe that the LF-based Turas 900s will appeal to operators that already run DAF-engined full-size coaches,” says Brian Noone Managing Director Michael Noone.
Mr Noone adds that parts availability for the chassis is a positive. All members of DAF’s dealer network can access stock for the midicoach variant of the LF, and the underframe comes with a 12 month bumper-to-bumper warranty along with two further years’ driveline coverage.
“The LF chassis requires no alterations before a midicoach body can be added. There will be further additions to the Turas midicoach range in conjunction with DAF in the future,” he says.
Rear air suspension is standard on the LF. The first Turas 900s models will enter service by early April 2019.
