Optare Alero

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Optare Alero
Optare Alero 1.jpg
Cumfy Bus Optare Alero in Birkenhead in 2007
Overview
Manufacturer Optare
Production2001-2008
Body and chassis
Doors1 (double) front door, 1 emergency rear door
Floor type Low floor
ChassisStainless Steel Chassis / cage
Powertrain
Engine Iveco 2.8TD
Capacity16 seated [1]
Transmission 6M / 3A
Dimensions
Length7.2 metres [1]
Width2.0 metres [1]
Height2.5 metres [1]
Curb weight 5600Kg MVW

The Optare Alero is a low-floor GRP monocoque minibus that was built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Contents

Around 300 were built in the first five years of production. The primary markets for the Alero have been community transport groups and rural demand responsive bus routes.

Features

Arriva North West and Wales Optare Alero in Wrexham in April 2008 Optare Alero YN04XZH -1- WREXHAM BS.JPG
Arriva North West and Wales Optare Alero in Wrexham in April 2008
Wightbus Optare Alero rear in Ryde in August 2010 Wightbus 5898 HW04 DDJ rear.JPG
Wightbus Optare Alero rear in Ryde in August 2010

The Alero has a 2.8 litre Iveco turbo diesel engine and a choice of 6 speed manual or automatic ZF transmission. It typically seats between twelve and sixteen passengers, capacity being partly dependent upon whether space is provided for a wheelchair. The destination display box is optional.

Alero Plus

The Alero was relaunched in 2006 as the Alero Plus. The previous torquey and economical 2.8 litre turbo diesel Iveco (from the Daily II range) engine was replaced by the higher-revving 3 litre later Iveco (Daily III) engine with chain-driven cam. The Alero plus had its main battery in the boot, overcoming the nightmare under-bonnet battery access in the original Alero. Various changes and component upgrades have been made in an attempt to overcome reliability and durability issues suffered by the original design. [2] In 2008, the Alero was discontinued after the production run of around 300 units.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Alero Specs". Optare. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
  2. ↑ Optare launches upgraded Alero 'Plus' Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 1 June 2006

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