The first Irizar i6S Efficient integral has arrived in the UK and was quickly dispatched on the first part of dealership Irizar UK’s summer roadshow. That will see the vehicle displayed to operators from the north of Scotland to Devon as the Spanish manufacturer bids to capitalise on what it described at launch as “the coach of the future.”
Significant work has been done to reduce weight and drag, which Irizar claims will deliver a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 13% in a like-for-like comparison. The first right-hand drive i6S Efficient integral is a two-axle, 55-seat example that is PSVAR compliant. It has a DAF MX-11 engine developing 408bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Irizar UK Sales Director Julie Hartley says that the summer roadshow will last for around five weeks. In addition to England and Scotland the coach will visit Wales, with Mrs Hartley adding that stops will be made at “a lot of operators” to take account of the strong interest seen so far.
In May, Golden Boy Coaches of Hoddesdon became the first operator in the UK to order an i6S Efficient integral in the form of a 13.2m tri-axle example. Mrs Hartley says that orders from other operators have since been confirmed. Irizar UK also plans to hold the i6S Efficient integral in stock in the future.
The first demonstrator is finished in mid-blue livery. It comes with the manufacturer’s optional rear-view camera system that contributes to drag reduction.
Test data from Spain shows that the promise of excellent fuel economy is accurate, she adds. “The results are positive, and both ourselves and colleagues in Spain are very confident that this is a highly efficient vehicle.”
A further i6S Efficient integral demonstrator will arrive in September. It will be a two-axle, 53-seat PSVAR compliant example and be displayed on Irizar UK’s stand at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November while the initial coach continues its customer evaluation work.
