The Ilesbus Calista made its debut at Coach & Bus UK as Arriva Bus and Coach (ABC) and Ilesbus UK announced an agreement for ABC to supply and support the Ilesbus range of Turkish-built mini and midicoaches.
The news concludes a long-held ambition by ABC to add smaller products to its existing Temsa and Van Hool line-up.
Ilesbus UK will continue to supply the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Iveco Daily-based models from its South Wales premises, along with the Calista (pictured). Built on an Atego chassis initially, the Calista made its debut in right-hand drive form at the show.
The Calista seats up to 35 and is built on a 12,000kg GVW underframe. It has the 7.7-litre OM 936 engine rated at 240bhp. That, says Ilesbus UK Director Gary Johns, says has proved quieter than the smaller OM 934 in other applications.
Offered as options are a floor-level rear toilet and a wheelchair lift. A flat floor allows all seating to be tracked. Air suspension is fitted on both axles as standard and an MAN TGL chassis will follow as an alternative to the Atego, adds Mr Johns.
Ilesbus UK sold 42 vehicles in its first year. Complementing the Calista is the Daily-based Glance and three Sprinter conversions – the Harmony, Renaissance and Vegas. While each can be specified with the same options internally, they have different external styling.
