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The new VISEON LDD14 – flexible and versatile regional double-decker bus
25.09.2010 - 13:00

German version

World premiere:
The new VISEON LDD14 – flexible and versatile regional double-decker bus

  1. Latest design for urban buses
  2. Attractive alternative to the articulated bus
  3. Versions available for town and regional routes
  4. High seating capacity


At the IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover from 23 - 30 September 2010, VISEON Bus GmbH is unveiling its regional double-decker bus: the VISEON LDD14. The classification itself refers to the essential features of the first public service vehicle which was developed completely by VISEON engineers and produced at the Pilsting manufacturing facility: L stands for low floor, DD for double-decker and 14 for the length in metres. As it happens, the new public service bus measures exactly 14,000 millimetres. "With this new regular service double-decker, we once again cover an interesting niche in the omnibus market", explained VISEON Managing Director, Joachim Reinmuth. "Thanks to the availability of a broad range of equipment, this new bus is configurable for a wide variety of applications and, as a result, is an attractive alternative to the articulated bus for many bus operators for use in regular services on strongly frequented routes as well as a double-earner in the regional and excursion sector".

The design:
Regular service double-decker in its most beautiful form


With the VISEON LDD14, the bus and coach manufacturer from the Bavarian town of Pilsting has proved that a 4 m high and 14 m long vehicle can be packaged extremely elegantly, tastefully and with flair. In so doing, the VISEON design engineers have succeeded in lending the oversized cuboid both fluid external lines and soft edges while, at the same time, the characteristic design elements of the VISEON buses - V-shaped wings and V-shaped arrangement of headlights and rear lights - harmoniously combine with the overall picture. The windscreen stretches continuously upwards high into the roof and creates an impression of being open and friendly. At the same time, the V-shaped inclined headlights complete with standard LED daytime lamps provide a sporty touch to the double-decker.


The side view is characterised by the large V-shaped wings which - optically enhanced by the top window line that inclines almost imperceptibly downwards at the front into the lower deck - catches the enormous length of the giant bus and, as a result, underlines the satisfying proportions of the new bus. For the observer, a view of the rear of the VISEON LDD14 is both expressive and impressive at the same time. The characteristic style features with the VISEON V, state-of-the-art rear lights and the strikingly-formed rear window harmonise here in the best way possible with the bold cooling and ventilation fins and the athletically streamlined form of the rear as a whole.

Front and rear lights are not only important components in the design of the VISEON LDD14. In addition, they also offer enhanced safety and ease of maintenance. Apart from the daytime lamps, all other lights with the exception of the main, high-beam and fog lights are designed in energy-saving, long-lasting and low-maintenance LED technology. The new V-shaped rear lights with downward-angled, large-sized LED strips have been filed for patent protection by VISEON.

The body:
a completely new development for more customer benefits


With the development of the new regional LDD14 double-decker, VISEON engineers designed a completely new vehicle from the floor right through to the roof. Furthermore, this was conveniently integrated into the VISEON modular construction system which already provides the basis for the C-series coaches. As a result, various components from the VISEON C10, such as the side windows or front spoiler, are also utilised in the LDD14. Although such a completely new development initially increases both time and expense, it does however facilitate technical solutions which are indeed linked to real added value for the bus operator. An example for this is the rear entrance which can be optimised to suit customer requirements along with the respective door and seating arrangement: it can be installed in front of the middle axle behind door II or behind the rear axle in front of door III in the direction of driving. The bus body apertures for the doors also profit from the new development. With 1380 millimetres, this is now 30 millimetres wider than was previously the case. Advantage: wider doors to speed up passengers boarding and alighting the vehicle.

Like all VISEON buses, the VISEON LDD14 has a self-supporting lattice tube frame. The lightweight and extremely stable basic structure is welded together using the proven all-round spar technology with precision-lasered square steel bars. The steel tube frame construction undergoes a comprehensive high-quality KTL cathodic dip painting process to ensure reliable and long-lasting protection against corrosion. In this respect, VISEON gives a six-year warranty against rust.

Just how variable the engineers have designed the VISEON LDD14 is shown, among other things, by the range of door options. The double-decker is available with both two or three doors. Whereas door II always features a double-width version, the front as well as the third door at the rear can also be ordered as single doors. As a general rule for the regional execution (Class II), the LDD14 is equipped with externally-opening swivel doors; for urban route versions (Class I), both externally and internally-opening swivel doors are available.

Chassis and drive system:
proven components in a new combination


For the engine, transmission and axles, VISEON uses proven components supplied by MAN and ZF. The drive is powered by a vertical in-line six cylinder MAN D2066 LOH (EEV) diesel engine which is installed in the rear on the left. The 10.5 litre power unit produces 400 hp (294 KW) and has a maximum torque of 1900 Nm at 1000 - 1400 min-1. Due to the high-pressure injection technique with common rail technology, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation and an electronically controlled filter, the engine does not require any additional operating fluids – also for the more stringent EEV exhaust level. In order to be able to deal more effectively with the more rigorous double-decker drive requirements VISEON has equipped the engine with a specially developed larger-sized radiator complete with two fans. Finely-stepped and optimised for regular service use, the six-speed automatic ZF EcoLife gear box transfers the engine power to the drive axle.

The requirements on the chassis of the LDD14 double-decker are extremely demanding: excellent travelling comfort, best-possible driving safety in spite of the high centre of gravity, consistent low-floor design and wide passageways between the wheel housings. In order to master all of this, VISEON uses low-floor axles from ZF. At the front, the ZF RL75EC independent suspension provides proven comfort.

This axle is also in use as a trailing axle at the rear - in this case, equipped with ZF RAS forced steering. As drive axle, VISEON uses a ZF AV132 low-floor portal axle. Whereas the VISEON LDD14 regional version (Class II) is fitted with 305/70 R 22.5 tyres, the city bus (Class I) uses 315/60 R22.5 on the steering axle and 275/70 R 22.5 on the remaining axles. For the VISEON LDD14 Class II model, approval of up to 100 km/h is possible.

The passenger area:
generously dimensioned, pleasantly bright and very flexible


A high variability within the scope of the VISEON modular construction kit along with a high degree of flexibility for the bus operator when used as a double-earner were placed right at the top of the specification sheet for the development of the LDD14. This becomes particularly clear with regard to the passenger area. On the lower deck, the customer can choose between a continuous low-floor variant, a version with platforms and level wheelchair or pushchair/pram platforms, or a combination of both. Depending on requirements, this results in a higher or lower number of seats or standing room capacity. The upper deck can be equipped with a range of different seating supplied by well-known manufacturers to suit both urban and regional operations. According to the respective execution and type of seating, the LDD14 has a capacity of up to 133 passengers with maximum 103 seats.


The upper deck

The bottom deck has a standing height of 1820 millimetres whilst over the rear axle, at least 1680 millimetres is available. Two stairways lead up to the upper deck: the one at the front is positioned directly behind the driver and the second behind door II or in front of door III depending on the type of door and customer's specification. The standing height on the upper deck is at least 1680 millimetres at any point and thus fulfils all legal requirements. In order to create more space at least in the centre aisle, the designers planned three large-sized glass roof sections which can, at the same time, serve as emergency exits. This natural source of light, in connection with the large side windows, convey a generous and friendly sense of space on the upper deck. The first two rows of seating on the upper deck will be particularly popular because of the panoramic window which stretches far back into the roof thus providing a clear view of the sky above and thereby imparts a completely new driving feel. For fresh air fans and guided tour operators, VISEON incidently also offers the LDD14 ex works as an open-top version with or without a sliding roof.


The lower deck


A comfortable interior climate and pleasant temperatures in the summer is ensured by the efficient air conditioning system installed in the rear above the engine. This is equipped with more than 40 KW of cooling capacity in order to meet all European requirements. The draught-free air distribution takes place by means of roof channels with outlets to the windows and the centre aisle. In winter, a maintenance-free convector heating system with 20 KW heat output warms the passenger areas on the lower and upper decks. This is controlled through a new, climatic control function developed by VISEON whereby both the hardware as well as software were adapted to meet the high requirements in the double-decker bus.

The driver´s workplace:
VDV-applicable operator comfort and clear arrangement


Thanks to the design of the cockpit according to uniform VDV guidelines, the driver immediately feels at home with the set up. The well-positioned mirrors provide good all-round visibility. So that the driver has the lower and upper decks in view at all times, VISEON has equipped the LDD14 with camera surveillance as a standard feature.

The instrument area with the central display unit provides the driver with the most important information at a glance and the height and inclination can be adjusted via the steering wheel. For the city line buses, the tachograph is fitted as a large round instrument while the regional double-decker has an additional rev counter.
The driver´s workplace

In the door to the driver´s position is a storage place for a briefcase or similar. In order to provide the driver with relief from exhaust gases and dust in city traffic, VISEON engineers have installed the air intake in for the driver´s position air-conditioning in the dustproof area on the left in front of the front wheel. The separate front box for this air-conditioning has a heating output of 15 KW and a 6 kW cooling capacity.


The cockpit

V-CAN®: new electronic set-up for more flexibility

In order to be able to offer customers as large a number as possible of equipment options as well as being able to remain flexible with regard to the selection of the components, VISEON has developed its own electronics architecture called V-CAN® which has been used for the first time in the VISEON LDD14. In the process, the bus manufacturer can take advantage of proven hardware components which assume control of the drive, lighting, door management system and other installations. A new feature is the enquiry structure of the individual data and connections, and the software which from now on allows that considerably more as well as different components can be linked to the electronics structure without having to undergo a re-design each time. The new V-CAN® vehicle electronics is trademarked by VISEON.

Technical data
Engine:MAN D 2066 LOH 28
Cylinder:6 - in line
Performance:294 kW (400 PS)
Engine size:10,520 cm³
Transmission:6-gear automatic transmission ZF EcoLife
Length:14.000 mm
Width:2.550 mm
Height:4.000 mm
Seats:103 + 1 max.
Standing:30 max.
Perm. gross weight:26.000 kg



Fotos:
VISEON Bus GmbH
Omnibusarchiv
Text:
VISEON Bus GmbH


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