MAN set to unveil new President coach

Penske Commercial Vehicles has two new models looming, with the distributor's MAN bus team – together with Bus and Coach Sales Australasia and body builder Bonluck – set to launch the MAN President at next week's 2019 Bus Expo and Maintenance conference in Melbourne, followed by a new entry-level MAN Senator.

MAN says the President features a 1400mm floor line and 11 cubic metres of luggage space, making it ideal for premium day charter or coach applications, while the Senator will serve as a well-equipped school or charter bus for price-conscious operators.

Both the President and Senator are built on the well-established IC 19.320 RR8 chassis from MAN's modular Lion's Chassis range, with power provided by the brand's 10.5-litre, 320hp, urea-free D20 city bus powerplant, with 1600Nm on tap from as low as 1000rpm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed ZF Ecolife transmission.

"MAN was seeking to establish a locally represented and supported high-floor bus product that offered improved lead times and design flexibility to accommodate customer requirements, and at an attractive price point," said Clint Stoermer, National Sales and Service Manager – Bus, Penske Commercial Vehicles.

"By coming together with BCSA and Bonluck, we have been able to achieve this.

"Additionally, flexible body and seating design options are available to suit, so whether operators require a cost-effective school bus in the Senator, or a premium President option, both ranges have solutions to suit all.

"MAN’s IC 19.320 RR8 chassis boasts fully integrated safety features and the latest in commercial vehicle technology including electronic stability program (ESP), electrically controlled air suspension (ECAS), electronic braking system (EBS), and MAN's 'brakematic' feature, which enables downhill driving speed to be set by cruise control or the brake pedal, to hold a constant speed by automatically activating the retarder."

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Further safety options include adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, and lane departure warning.

MAN's IC 19.320 chassis also offers a right or 'clean side' cooling package with adjustment-free hydrostatic fan drive plus an adjustment-free engine-mounted air conditioning compressor belt drive, eliminating the maintenance burden of alternative designs.

The President will be offered with MAN's premium coach comfort suspension package that comprises independent front suspension with stabiliser and a wide air spring track rear suspension with stabiliser.

The Senator will be offered with an MAN rigid front axle and standard drive axle suspension with stabiliser.

An example of the MAN President will be located on the MAN stand (BS13) at the conference.