EVM has reported success for its AOS-branded Grand Toro (pictured, above) and Visigo (pictured, below) midicoaches at recent roadshows in Ireland, Scotland and the North of England. Positive reception of the range is such that repeat business is already being done, the dealership adds.
The initial programme of displays and demonstrations concluded on Thursday 27 April in Greater Manchester. Deals have been struck for both models during the tour and EVM Managing Director Danny McGee adds that further examples of both AOS models are scheduled to arrive from the Anadolu Isuzu factory in Turkey over the remainder of 2023.
“We saw a good turnout of operators at the roadshow and it enabled us to accelerate and close deals for AOS vehicles,” says Mr McGee. “Coach operators have been able to drive both models and we have heard that they like what they’ve seen.” EVM plans to continue the AOS roadshow programme into the South of England and Wales, he continues.
routeone has already examined the Grand Toro and the Visigo since EVM was granted distribution rights in the UK and Ireland, but Mr McGee adds that as the models have become established in each market, interest among potential buyers has grown quickly.
At 8.52m long and 2.35m wide, the Grand Toro carries a maximum of 37 passengers. Its Cummins ISB4.5 four-cylinder engine is immediately behind the front axle and coupled to an Allison T3270R xFE six-speed automatic gearbox. The Visigo is 9.66m long and 2.45m wide, carries up to 39 passengers and has a six-cylinder Cummins ISB6.7 engine driving through a ZF EcoLife gearbox.
Thus far the Grand Toro has accounted for more sales than the Visigo, Mr McGee says. The Grand Toro has a starting retail price of £140,000 and EVM believes that it fills the gap left by Mercedes-Benz Vario-based midicoaches when that chassis ceased production some years ago.
Initial feedback from customers suggests that the Grand Toro is generally being purchased for more local work, but EVM believes that it equally suits longer-distance duties. A front engine gives a large rear boot, and the midicoach is capable on the motorway. Its engine records around 1,500rpm at the limited 62mph and when that is combined with an 11,480kg GVW, good fuel economy is expected.
“We feel that the Grand Toro has so much potential and we have already seen good buy-in from both Allison and Cummins in providing support,” Mr McGee continues.
While the rear-engined Visigo is bigger, it is similar to the Grand Toro in specification. Both models come with wood-effect flooring, synthetic leather seat trim, a pre-heater and USB charging points as standard and each is pre-wired for CCTV. The Visigo starts at a retail price of £165,000 and it has unobstructed underfloor luggage space within the wheelbase.
Of optional fittings, a table design for both models has been created and the Visigo can be supplied with a factory-fitted toilet. On PSVAR, each vehicle will later be available with full compliance or with preparation work for future conversion that includes an additional door.
The first PSVAR compliant Grand Toro is set to be displayed at Coach & Bus UK at the NEC Birmingham on 8-9 November. The lift will be immediately ahead of the rear axle and sit above the Grand Toro’s ladder chassis rails. The integral Visigo in PSVAR compliant form is scheduled to debut in early 2024.
Mr McGee says that both AOS coaches are subject to an ongoing programme of minor updates based on customer feedback. They are each fitted with the Sege seat range used by EVM across all of its small coach models.
Stock AOS Grand Toro and Visigo models will be held and they will arrive in the same black, grey or white as specified on smaller coaches by EVM. Within the latter range, it has seen availability of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicles return strongly. Across the entirety of its product line-up, EVM expects to supply 450 vehicles in the UK and Ireland in 2023.
