One of the stars of Euro Bus Expo was VDL’s FDD2. It is a striking double-decker, and represents a significant change from its predecessor the Synergy. Tim Deakin drives the first UK example
The double-deck coach sector welcomed a newcomer last year when VDL’s Futura FDD2 made its right-hand drive debut at Euro Bus Expo (EBE) in the colours of Harlow, Essex-based Galleon Travel.
VDL revealed the FDD2 around a year earlier, and made some bold claims of it. The resemblance to the established FHD2 single-decker is obvious, and that continues under the skin: Running units are shared, for example, as is some glazing and various other components.
That gives useful commonality for existing operators of the FHD2. Galleon Travel is among them, and Director Matt Bowden says that for buyers, the Dutch builder’s ‘can do’ attitude is welcome.
“VDL’s response to whatever we have asked for is always that it will find a way to do it. We always get what we want in the end.
“For example, we needed a kitchen in the FDD2 and VDL made one; the unit is over the offside front wheel and it was built to our specifications.”
The Futura 2 range is supplied in the UK by the Associated Moseley Group. Galleon’s has come from South Elmsall-based Moseley (PCV), and Matt and his mother and fellow Director Helen speak highly of the dealership’s aftercare.
“We are looked after well by Moseley and I rate its aftersales service as the industry’s best,” says Matt. “In particular, the 12-month Coach Assist package that complements the three-year Moseleycare warranty is outstanding.
“Coach Assist includes a replacement vehicle and repatriation if needed among other benefits; thankfully we have only needed it once, but the service was fantastic.”
The FDD2 has taken up position as Galleon’s flagship after arguably being the star of EBE. Helen and Matt kindly made it available for a routeone Test Drive.
Build
VDL builds the FDD2 in two lengths: 13.1m and 14.1m, and Moseley has already sold both.
Galleon’s is the longer of the two, and it seats 86 passengers: 23 on the lower deck and 63 upstairs. The model is exactly 4m high.
As befits a coach of its type, little has been spared under the bonnet. Power is from a 12.9-litre DAF MX-13 engine developing 510bhp and 2,500Nm of torque, all harnessed by ZF’s 12-speed AS-Tronic automated gearbox.
A reasonably-sized, 9.3m3 luggage bay is above the rear axles. It has top-hinged, manual doors that are part of the coach’s central locking system.
Galleon requires additional capacity, and it has specified VDL’s own ski box. The box can be used across the Futura 2 range, but when mounted on the FDD2 it has a maximum load of 200kg.
Shelving within has tip-up sections for carriage of skis, and a reversing camera is fitted, complementing that on the coach. The ski box is big enough that a forklift is needed to attach and remove it, but clever use of offside hinges and a lower gas strut means that the bonnet can safely be opened with the box attached.
Saloon glazing has a high degree of tint as standard. It gives the FDD2 a ‘stealth’ look, which is furthered by two additional headlights above the upper windscreen.
Fuel capacity in two tanks is 670 litres, while 68 litres of fresh water is carried for the chemical/water combination toilet on the nearside adjacent to the rear door. A crew bunk is fitted, accessible via the rear staircase.
Passenger access
Doors are one-piece plug types and the lower gangway is reached without any steps. The Galleon coach is not wheelchair accessible, although it is on the option list.
Matt points out that most passengers will board and alight at the centre, and it’s here that lower deck access is best. Access to the upper deck from the front door is improved over the FDD2’s predecessor the Synergy, and the layout at both doors is identical.
Passengers boarding at the front and sitting downstairs will find that the aisle is 42cm across at its narrowest point above the axle.
The courier seat slightly compromises access, but both constrictions are unavoidable on a double-decker.
One of the FDD2’s many impressive aspects is the height of the lower saloon. The gangway dips noticeably behind the front axle, and VDL’s figures show that it is 1.86m from floor to ceiling.
The aisle is a maximum of 29cm lower than the remainder of the floor, and respectably-sized luggage racks are present.
The upper deck is 1.72m from top to bottom. Although the difference between the two is noticeable, the travelling environment in both saloons is good, although air-conditioning noise upstairs is perhaps louder than might be expected.
VDL’s staircase application – which consists of five rear-facing steps followed by two into the aisle – is excellent, and most taller passengers will find that they are useable without the risk of bumping their head.
Passenger comfort
Vogel seats are fitted and they are finished with red leather headrest inserts and piping. Curtains are in matching red.
Aisle seats have slide-apart functionality, and all come with drop-down tables, footrests and magazine nets. Dual wall-mounted USB charging points are at each seat pair; Matt explains that 240v sockets are not specified due to previous misuse.
Two tables are fitted on the lower deck. They have recessed cup holders and are big enough for four passengers to use, but a larger variant is also available.
Unusually, each table is of a ‘legless’ design, and is affixed only to the seat tracking rail. This layout makes accessing the seats around the table easy.
A Bosch Professional Line entertainment system is fitted. The four 19in monitors include a forward-facing screen on the lower deck. Wood-effect flooring is present throughout.
The kitchen specified by Galleon has a microwave, sink and coffee machine, along with lots of cupboard space. Power is from a dedicated inverter. An 80-litre fridge here is complemented by a 56-litre cool box within the dash.
The coach comes with interior lighting that can cycle through a huge variety of colours, or be set to any shade desired. A controller on the cab A-pillar governs it.
Dual-zone Eberspächer air-conditioning with climate control is used and an auxiliary pre-heater is present, along with perimeter radiators on both decks.
Driver comfort
An Isringhausen seat is fitted with all of the usual refinements. Both it and the courier seat are finished in leather as part of an optional Driver’s Pack that also includes Xenon headlights, a leather steering wheel, extra cab storage and a heated driver’s seat.
Even without the optional addition, stowage in the cab is good. A discreet, removable safe is hidden behind the driver and various cubby holes are elsewhere.
The driver has dual USB and cigarette-style chargers, while the courier has a 240v socket behind their seat and a USB socket in the dash, adjacent to a useful fold-out table.
Climate control for the cab and platform area is governed independently of the saloons’.
Visibility is excellent, and VDL’s decision to lift the upper deck floor above the windscreen is a wise one. Helen notes that it creates a more airy feel in the cab when compared to the Synergy.
An electrically-operated, heated signalling window is fitted, although Matt notes that it would benefit from lowering further. The péage window opens manually.
Performance
As would be expected with the most powerful engine available in the coach market, performance is beyond any question.
The FDD2 weighs in at a shade below 18 tonnes unladen, but it still makes excellent progress. In particular, the AS-Tronic gearbox is vastly improved over earlier versions, and it proved highly competent.
Torque is made good use of, and at 50mph in top gear engine speed is 1,000rpm.
The gearbox drops to 11th quickly when an incline is encountered, however, and it also block shifts without complaint when piling on speed, including – notably – from 9th to 11th gear.
Acceleration on an uphill slip road to join the A1(M) was rapid, and the FDD2 exhibits no noticeable lean when cornering or twitchiness in crosswinds. Indeed, its behaviour at speed is superb:
There is little else to say other than it goes where it is pointed every time.
What is obvious when driving the FDD2 is that it is a huge coach. The 7.26m wheelbase between axles one and two means that care is required when turning, and both lanes at smaller roundabouts are often required.
A powerful ZF Intarder is fitted and, as ever, this device rapidly proves its worth. It brings the coach to a halt from high speed simply and without recourse to the foundation brakes, and it will be very useful on Galleon’s ski work to Europe.
Verdict
The FDD2 is a premium coach and priced accordingly, but it is a textbook example of getting what you pay for.
VDL has done an excellent job of packaging the model within the 4m height constraint, and there is no doubt that this is a highly-competent mile cruncher.
The passenger environment is good and it comes with many creature comforts, while the driver’s needs are equally well looked after.
A huge amount of power means that long journeys in Europe will be accomplished by setting the cruise control and letting the coach get on with it.
“Everything in our fleet is already DAF-powered and that was a plus with the FDD2,” says Matt. “Additionally, we like the look of the coach, and the commonality of parts with the FHD2 is appealing.
“We will use the FDD2 on all of our work, and the ski box is key for luggage space. Additionally, we have a 3.5t trailer that it can tow when required, although not all drivers are licensed for it.”
The Associated Moseley Group has already sold six FDD2s. It is an excellent tourer that does everything one could hope of a double-decker coach, so it would be no surprise to see that figure continue to rise.
