Several UK bus fleets have placed Allison Transmission xFE upgrade orders this year. They include Go Ahead London, Metroline, Tower Transit, Go North East and East Yorkshire among many others. This follows a compelling trial by Go Ahead London last year alongside Optare’s release of xFE in 2016.
The benefits of upgrading to an xFE (extra fuel economy) transmission are up to 7.13% fuel saving in urban driving and up to 16% in rural environments, compared to the incumbent Allison fully automatic transmission.
xFE upgrade programme
xFE incorporates an improved torque converter lockup clutch enabling first-gear lock up at low speeds. It works in combination with Allison’s latest FuelSense 2.0 technology, which features Neutral at stop and coast and DynActive Shifting. DynActive Shifting employs a real-time learning algorithm that finds the ideal balance of fuel consumption and performance by automatically adjusting the transmission control to the load, speed and topography.
Jade Noble, Bus and Coach Market Development Manager at Allison Transmission, says: “We have been talking to fleets about the Allison Transmission xFE upgrade programme, preparing them for the decision-making phase when their transmissions are nearing the end of their warranty period or as their buses reach around the halfway point of their expected life.
“Our message is clear: switch transmissions now to save fuel, lower CO2 emissions, enjoy all the benefits of new componentry and the latest software, while recouping your investment and improving overall total cost of ownership.”
‘Absolute financial sense’
Allison’s xFE upgrade programme affects those fleets running 2100 Series Allison transmissions ADL Enviro 200s (2008 onwards); Optare Solos, Versas or Tempos (2012 onwards); and Wrightbus Streetvibes or NuVibes.
The xFE programme has been carefully packaged and priced to make absolute financial sense at a time when fleet operators are looking to save every penny. The transmissions have a two-year warranty included, which is extendable to five years.
