[Ashley2]

Scania takes the next step in the introduction of complete Scania buses and
coaches, with full parts and service support via the worldwide Scania service
network. Following the Scania Touring coach and the Scania Citywide city and
suburban buses, the Scania Metrolink is a purpose-designed coach for luxury
intercity or charter travel in head-turning style. Passengers will enjoy a
comfortable and relaxing ride....






Three-model range:
Scania Metrolink HD 45-seater:
This is a 12-metre 4x2 model with 45 seats, a Scania 9-litre 310 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.
Scania Metrolink HD 49-seater:
13.7-metre 6x2 model with 49 semi-sleeper seats (or 53 without calf support), a Scania 13-litre 360 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvring. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.
Scania Metrolink HD 53-seater:
This is a 14.5-metre high-capacity 6x2 model featuring 53 semi-sleeper seats (or 57 without calf support). It has the Scania 13-litre 410 hp Euro 3 engine, Scania Opticruise 8-speed automated gearchanging. The third axle is hydraulically steered for easy manoeuvring. The vehicle is 2.6 m wide, 3.7 m high and fitted with a 465-litre fuel tank.

http://www.scania.com/media/calendar...013.aspx?tab=0

[PVS]

Interesting to see Scania making an entry into India. I was checking out their bus range on their website, and their Scania OmniExpress range (3.20,3.40 & 3.60) look promising. If they can get their pricing and *** right, they could be giving Volvo and MB, a serious run for their money. Probably, KaSRTC might take the lead once more and end up introducing Scanias on a couple of their high density/revenue earning routes..
Has anyone travelled on these buses in Europe/elsewhere? How do these measure up when compared to a Volvo B9R, or an MB, in terms of comfort and ride ergonomics?

[coolclouds]

13 L, 410 HP is too much for Indian conditions
Hope they are tragetting B7R/B9R/B11R customers with these models.

Btw, in other thread, saw an image of Scania in front of a popular South based operator's office. Have they started any trail services? Any update on pricing?

I feel more like a Merc in these pics.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

13 L, 410 HP is too much for Indian conditions
Hope they are tragetting B7R/B9R/B11R customers with these models.

Now, the we'll hear excited people shouting out about their buses going at 150kmph and above

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Btw, in other thread, saw an image of Scania in front of a popular South based operator's office. Have they started any trail services? Any update on pricing?

Kallada has received the bus for trials - the trials will begin after the Busworld expo where the bus would be displayed for the first time.

Originally Posted by coolclouds

I feel more like a Merc in these pics.

Its look too much like a merc - even the dash.

[amtak]

While I welcome this move, i am failing to understand, why is it that everyone is eyeing the long distance commuter segment? Apart from TAMO, AL and Volvo; no one else is keen on entering the citi bus services?

PS: The face/Grill of the bus reminds me of the new Alto 800

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by amtak

While I welcome this move, i am failing to understand, why is it that everyone is eyeing the long distance commuter segment? Apart from TAMO, AL and Volvo; no one else is keen on entering the citi bus services?

Simple reason - too low sales to invest in the segment. City bus operators still prefer buying normal FE buses, which our TML and ALL specialise in!

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

13 L, 410 HP is too much for Indian conditions

Isn't the B11R also rated at 410hp? Looks like this one is squarely aimed at the B11R - Scania is starting from where Volvo has reached (for now)

Originally Posted by binaiks

Now, the we'll hear excited people shouting out about their buses going at 150kmph and above

Binai, I get what you're hinting at You think 150kmph would be enough?

Originally Posted by coolclouds

I feel more like a Merc in these pics.

Originally Posted by binaiks

Its look too much like a merc - even the dash.

It's so much Merc-ish. To be honest, I would prefer the 9400XL body to this one. From the pics, the finish doesn't look as impressive as a Volvo. I'm not a fan of the Merc buses, and this one is strictly at that level, IMO

[AlphaKilo]

Finally! I am going to see my most favourite bus manufacturer in India! I am loving it. Well, I will reserve my comments until I see their "Touring" variant in the Indian soil.

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Following the Scania Touring coach and the Scania Citywide city and
suburban buses, the Scania Metrolink is a purpose-designed coach for luxury
intercity or charter travel in head-turning style. Passengers will enjoy a
comfortable and relaxing ride....

Attachment 1045605

It seems that the driver is sitting in a simulator? Isn't it? Sir, When was their "Touring" even came to India? or are they going to be released in the Bus expo along with the "Metrolink"?

Originally Posted by PVS

Has anyone travelled on these buses in Europe/elsewhere? How do these measure up when compared to a Volvo B9R, or an MB, in terms of comfort and ride ergonomics?

Scania a niché class! Merc cannot even come close to the level of Scania. To give you an idea, imagine it as good as Volvo club-class from KaSRTC.

Originally Posted by coolclouds

13 L, 410 HP is too much for Indian conditions
Hope they are tragetting B7R/B9R/B11R customers with these models.

Btw, in other thread, saw an image of Scania in front of a popular South based operator's office. Have they started any trail services? Any update on pricing?

I feel more like a Merc in these pics.

410 HP, so what? Electronically limited to 100 kmph. (atleast in Europe!)

Originally Posted by binaiks

Now, the we'll hear excited people shouting out about their buses going at 150kmph and above
Kallada has received the bus for trials - the trials will begin after the Busworld expo where the bus would be displayed for the first time.
Its look too much like a merc - even the dash.

So, if you hear anyone boasting of their buses cruising at 150kmph, please, add a "LOL" smiley from my side too!

The very reason why I said I will wait for their Touring to hit the roads is exactly for the reason that Scania buses looks more or less similar to Merc from inside, headlights look like Volvo and tail - god only knows how its going to look like! To give you a glimpse of how the touring looks like:

Edit: I have seen this bus in person and I am swept away by its beauty and silence. Marvelous is the only word I have for this bus.

http://www.scania.com/products-servi...cania-touring/






Enjoy: http://www3.scania.com/en/Touring/Gl...utm_campaign=3

[Mpower]

Fantastic News.

Mercedes buses have been a bit of a disappointment and hopefully Scania will be the one to challenge the Volvos and up the game.

Key will be pricing vis a vis the Volvo. Any indication on that?

[SandyX]

When this design profile came in volvo, it was fresh and pleasing. When it started to repeat in merc, corona and this scania, it's not so great anymore. Isuzu got some wraparound profile, which even though shoddily done, was a change from some norms.

Who does the body work for scania in India? Sutlej? (front end looks very similar)

Feels like there is some identity crisis here. It looks like a sutlej-merc with an alto grill and a SCANIA stamped upfront. Aesthetics might not matter much in this segment, but it doesn't hurt to think a bit different. Something like this would have been a moving away for good from the oh-so-common headlamp cluster.

Apart from the cribbing, the engine options are purposeful and Scanias are good runners.

[nkrishnap]

The bus looks too similar to the Merc. Lets see how it performs on the road. Merc is finding it difficult to put up a fight to Volvo.

The good part is 8 speed Opticruise automatic gearbox will ensure the KaSRTC folks cant lug the engine. Any idea about the price range? If they have to get a good order book, they definitely need to under cut the Volvo pricing by atleast 15% and reasonable maintenance as well.

Looking forward to Binaiks to update us with the first journey experience on this.

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by SandyX

Something like this would have been a moving away for good from the oh-so-common headlamp cluster.

That's the Scania Touring bus, and that's exactly what I had mentioned in my post that we will have to wait and see when it is introduced in India. But even in the metrolink, 6x2, 4x2, 6x2 (14.9m) are on offer, so I believe it is very unlikely that the Touring will make it here.

Moreover, even in Europe, the Touring costs more than the Scania-Irizar/Scania-Higer coaches. Well, Touring is also a JV between Scania and Higer, yet turned out to be a very elegant and is their flagship offering.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by SandyX

Who does the body work for scania in India? Sutlej? (front end looks very similar)

Scania does their own body building - rather, they would be doing their own body. Their unit is opening at Narasapura on the Bangalore-Chittoor highway - interestingly, both the Volvo and the Scania are on the same road, not much far apart. The initial lot of buses would be built from imported kits (thats what their press release claims) while complete body works would be in India in the first half of 2014.

Deliveries expected to commence in mid-2013. Kallada is confirmed to get a trial. Some other operators are said to be in line. I am sure KaSRTC would be getting a lot of them - the home-state manufacturer effect, perhaps - like Volvo.

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

Looking forward to Binaiks to update us with the first journey experience on this.

Thanks. I too look forward to hitching a ride on the Scania as soon as it hits the roads - like the B11R ride

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

That's the Scania Touring bus, and that's exactly what I had mentioned in my post that we will have to wait and see when it is introduced in India. But even in the metrolink, 6x2, 4x2, 6x2 (14.9m) are on offer, so I believe it is very unlikely that the Touring will make it here.

Moreover, even in Europe, the Touring costs more than the Scania-Irizar/Scania-Higer coaches. Well, Touring is also a JV between Scania and Higer, yet turned out to be a very elegant and is their flagship offering.

It it the same model sold in Europe? Mercedes seems to have a different model for EU and one for developing countries like Brazil, India with reduced features.

[LPT2625]

It is Mercedes-Benz (MB) which is going to feel the heat the most with this announcement than any other player in this segment. Hopefully, we might get to hear an announcement from MB either to the effect that they are exiting this segment or that they are planning to bring in the Travego/Tourismo range.