The Irizar i8 Efficient coach has made its global debut in Mexico. The manufacturer says that the vehicle – a development of its established range-topping i8 – will deliver a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of more than 8%.
That uplift in efficiency has been enabled by a combination of a 550kg weight reduction and a drag coefficient that has improved by 25%.
Unveiling of the i8 Efficient follows comments made by Irizar at Busworld Brussels during October 2023, when it confirmed that the Efficient package of improvements would spread from the i6S model to others in its coach range.
Irizar said then that the i8 Efficient would be available in both integral and body-on-chassis form, although further information on rollout in Europe is awaited. It is thought that Mexico was prioritised for the new model’s launch because of the i8 product’s popularity there.
Reducing weight was one “of the great challenges” in developing the i8 Efficient, which has been revealed almost two years after the i6S Efficient was unveiled in 2022. Irizar says that it has again analysed the mass of each component, and redistributed weight within the coach.
“High strength steels and lighter composite materials have been used to replace traditional structural materials,” the manufacturer adds of the newcomer.
“In addition, Hispacold’s new exclusive range of air-conditioners is more compact, lighter, and more efficient.” That includes use of the Netios i20 interface, which Irizar says gives better control and comfort of the air-conditioning.
Design changes to reduce drag include work to the front, rear and roof of the i8 Efficient, along with to windscreen curvature. An image of the coach shows what looks to be a slightly more bulbous aspect to the lower front panel, but with the distinctive i8 appearance retained.
The two coaches shown in Mexico also have a rear-view camera monitoring system as a further component of reduced drag, although that is already offered on the established i8.
