Wright Eclipse

Last updated

Wright Eclipse
EASRT COAST BUSES - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg
East Coast Buses Wright Eclipse 3 bodied Volvo B8RLE in September 2018
Overview
Manufacturer Wrightbus
Production2000–2019
Assembly Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor/low entry
Step-entrance (Eclipse SchoolRun)
Chassis Volvo B7L
Volvo B7RLE
Volvo B7R
Volvo B8RLE
Related Wright Eclipse Fusion
Wright Eclipse Gemini
Powertrain
Engine B7L: D7C
B7R: D7C
B7RLE: D7C/D7E
B8RLE: D8K
Transmission Voith
ZF Friedrichshafen
Dimensions
Length11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Wright Renown
Successor Wright GB Hawk

The Wright Eclipse is a low-floor single-deck bus body that was built by Wrightbus between 2000 and 2019. The second-generation Eclipse 2 was launched in 2008, followed by the third-generation Eclipse 3 in 2015. The Eclipse, and its sister design the Solar, were named for a solar eclipse which was visible in the UK in 1999, the year of its introduction.

Contents

The Eclipse was launched in 2000 on Volvo B7L chassis and, in 2003, the body was made available on the more popular Volvo B7RLE chassis. A coach version, the Eclipse SchoolRun, was later launched on high floor Volvo B7R chassis. In November 2008, Wright unveiled the Eclipse 2 at that year's Euro Bus Expo, with front and rear ends facelifted to match the Wright StreetCar. In 2015, the Eclipse 3 was launched on Volvo B8RLE chassis, the successor to the B7RLE.

A double-decker version of the Eclipse was also available, known as the Wright Eclipse Gemini, as well as an articulated version known as the Wright Eclipse Fusion.

First generation (2000–2010)

The first generation Wright Eclipse was launched in 2000 by Wrightbus on Volvo B7L chassis as the replacement for the Wright Renown bodywork on the older Volvo B10BLE chassis. A majority of these were purchased by FirstGroup.[ citation needed ] Both a bi-axle and tri-axle variant were offered, however only the former was ever built. [1]

However, sales of the B7L were lower than anticipated in the United Kingdom, owing to its unusual engine layout; as a result, the Eclipse Urban was launched on Volvo B7RLE chassis in 2003, at which time the original B7L bodywork was renamed to the Eclipse Metro. [2] The Eclipse Urban proved to be far more successful in terms of sales and remained in production until 2009, while the Eclipse Metro was withdrawn from sale several years after introduction of the Eclipse Urban.[ citation needed ]

Eclipse Commuter

Wrightbus also offered the Eclipse Commuter for a time, which was built on a version of the B7RLE chassis with the higher floor section extended to the front axle of the bus. It was intended for longer distance and intercity work. The design included all of the features of a standard coach, such as under-floor storage and a high seating position, while maintaining a small low floor section for passengers in wheelchairs. [3] The first entered service with Ulsterbus in April 2004 while Yorkshire Coastliner ordered six (which never entered service) and Stagecoach West Scotland ordered two, supplied with funding with Dumfries and Galloway Council. [4] [5]

Eclipse SchoolRun

Ulsterbus first batch Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R in Derry in September 2007 Ulsterbus bus 247 (NEZ 9247) 2007 Volvo B7R Wright Eclipse SchoolRun, 4 September 2007.jpg
Ulsterbus first batch Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R in Derry in September 2007
Ulsterbus second batch Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R at Belfast Dublin Road bus stop in November 2023 UB 197 R530.jpg
Ulsterbus second batch Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R at Belfast Dublin Road bus stop in November 2023

In 2006, Wrightbus launched the Eclipse SchoolRun; effectively an entirely high floor version of the Eclipse Commuter, bodied on Volvo B7R coach chassis. The Eclipse SchoolRun was mainly intended for school bus work. Northern Ireland bus operator Ulsterbus were the only customer to order the Eclipse SchoolRun, initially taking delivery of 160 of the type in their first batch order between 2007 and 2008, [6] [7] with an additional batch of 61 Eclipse SchoolRuns delivered to the operator between 2009 and 2010.

The first 110 Eclipse SchoolRuns delivered between 2007 and 2008 were equipped with 66 cyan seats in a high-density 2+3 layout and orange handrails, featuring several seats at the front of the bus that could be removed to make room for wheelchair spaces; the latter 50 buses were delivered with 62 seats and a permanent wheelchair area to save time reconfiguring the seating arrangement. The head directional indicators were LED instead of using Halogen light bulb. [8] The second batch of 61 buses were delivered to Ulsterbus in this latter configuration between 2009 and 2010. With a new style of interior of having blue seats and pink handrails.[ citation needed ]

Second generation (2008–2015)

Plymouth Citybus Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in December 2012 Plymouth Citybus 106 WA12ACZ (9592343891).jpg
Plymouth Citybus Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in December 2012

The second generation Wright Eclipse, known as the Eclipse Urban 2, was launched at the 2008 Euro Bus Expo as the successor to the Eclipse Urban, although the two designs were produced concurrently until 2009.

The Eclipse 2 features a facelifted front fascia and rear end, and was available exclusively on the Volvo B7RLE chassis.

The Burnley Bus Company were the first customer to take delivery of the Wright Eclipse Urban 2, with nineteen delivered for the operator's 'Mainline' services in 2009. [9] [10]

A batch of Urban 2s with air conditioning were leased to Malta Public Transport in 2014. [11]

Third generation (2015–2019)

The third generation Eclipse, known as the Eclipse 3, was launched in 2015. The Eclipse 3 was only available on Volvo B8RLE chassis, the successor to the B7RLE. [12] As well as the difference in chassis, the front and rear ends initially underwent a minor facelift, incorporating design features from the Wright StreetLite integral design. The first Eclipse 3s entered service with Trentbarton in October 2015 and the second batch by Stagecoach in the Fens for the Cambridgeshire Busway. The front design was revised further in spring 2017 with the first (and only) 13.2 metres (43 ft) examples being purchased by East Coast Buses. [13] The first 11.8 metres (39 ft) variant with the revised bodywork has since entered service with Delaine Buses. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo Buses</span> Swedish transportation manufacturer

Volvo Buses, stylized as VOLVO, is a subsidiary and a business area of the Swedish vehicle maker Volvo, which became an independent division in 1968. It is based in Gothenburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B9TL</span> Low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo

The Volvo B9TL is a low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo from 2002 until 2018. It superseded the Volvo Super Olympian and the Volvo B7TL. The 2-axle version has been superseded by the Volvo B5TL in 2014 and the 3-axle version has been superseded by the Volvo B8L in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrightbus</span> Northern Irish bus manufacturer

Wrightbus is a Northern Irish bus manufacturer and a pioneer of the low-floor bus. The company was established in 1946 by Robert Wright and was later run by his son William Wright, until it was acquired in 2019 by British businessman Jo Bamford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B7RLE</span> Low-entry single-deck bus chassis

The Volvo B7RLE is a low-entry single-deck bus chassis manufactured by Volvo. It was superseded by the Volvo B8RLE in 2013, with production of the B7RLE continuing until 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B7TL</span> Low-floor longitudinal double-decker bus chassis

The Volvo B7TL is a low-floor double-decker bus chassis which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version of the Volvo Olympian. It was built as the British bus operators seemed hesitant to purchase the B7L double decker with a long rear overhang.

Volvo B7 may refer to different 6.7-, 7.1- and 7.3-litre engined bus chassis from Volvo Buses:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B7R</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo B7R is a coach chassis available with a range of bodies. It is promoted as a rear engined lightweight coach chassis. It is primarily intended for tourist and long-distance duties. B7R is also manufactured in China, Brazil, Hungary, India and Iran for use in regional transport services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B7L</span> Low-floor rear-engined bus chassis

The Volvo B7L is a fully low floor single-decker bus, double-decker bus and articulated bus chassis with a rear engine mounted vertically on the left of the rear overhang. It was built as a replacement for the Volvo B10L, and the Volvo Olympian, used as both a single-decker bus and a double-decker bus chassis largely in Continental Europe. The Volvo B7L was superseded by the Volvo B9L in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VDL DB250</span> Twin-axle double-decker bus chassis

The VDL DB250 is a twin-axle double-decker bus chassis manufactured by VDL Bus & Coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright Eclipse Gemini</span> Low-floor double-decker bus body

The Wright Eclipse Gemini is a low-floor double-decker bus body that was built by Wrightbus since 2001, based on the single-decker Wright Eclipse design. The second-generation Eclipse Gemini 2 was launched in 2009, followed by the third-generation Gemini 3 in 2013. Additionally, the body was available on Volvo Super Olympian chassis in Hong Kong between 2003 and 2005, marketed as the Wright Explorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B10BLE</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo B10BLE is a rear-engined low-entry single-decker bus chassis manufactured by Volvo in Sweden between 1993 and 2004. The first prototypes were built in 1992, but mass production started in 1993, only a year after the high-floor B10B. It was popular in Australia, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. It had the engine mounted on the rear overhang of the bus. It became the successor of the city bus version of the B10B and was used as a base for single-decker buses worldwide. The B10BLE was available in diesel powered format, and later in a compressed natural gas powered format with the fuel tanks on the roof of the bus. Its low-floor design was widely promoted by Volvo when it was first launched, on the basis of added convenience to the passengers, and the increase in transport efficiency due to the low-floor design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B10L</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo B10L was a rear-engined, low-floor single-decker public bus chassis built by Volvo between c. 1993 and c. 2005. An articulated version of the B10L, known as the B10LA, was also produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright Crusader</span> Low-floor bus body on Dennis Dart SLF, Volvo B6LE and B6BLE chassis

The Wright Crusader was a single-deck midibus body built on Dennis Dart SLF, Volvo B6LE and Volvo B6BLE chassis by Wrightbus between 1995 and 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright Renown</span> Low-floor bus body on Volvo B10BLE chassis

The Wright Renown is a low floor single-decker bus body built on Volvo B10BLE chassis by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright Endurance</span> Step-entrance bus body on Scania N113 and Volvo B10B chassis

The Wright Endurance was a step-entrance single-decker bus body on Scania N113 and on Volvo B10B chassis by Wrightbus between 1992 and 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MCV Evolution</span> Single-deck bus bodywork

The MCV Evolution is a low floor and low entry single-decker bus body built by Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles. It was unveiled in 2003 as the successor to the MCV Stirling. The MCV Evolution 2 was launched, initially on Mercedes-Benz chassis in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B5LH</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo B5LH is a low-floor hybrid electric bus chassis for both single-decker buses and double-decker buses manufactured by Volvo since 2008. It is the basis for Volvo's integral 7700 Hybrid full low floor city bus and its successor, the 7900 Hybrid from 2011. In 2008, pre-production batches of both types of chassis were manufactured. Serial production started in June 2010. From 2013 it is also available as an articulated bus chassis. First entering service in London, the B5LH is the only current double decker type in service in the United Kingdom that uses a parallel hybrid drive system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright StreetDeck</span> Low-floor double-decker bus on integral chassis

The Wright StreetDeck is an integral double-decker bus manufactured by Wrightbus since 2014, originally delivered as standard with a Daimler OM934 diesel engine. Hybrid-electric, full-electric and hydrogen-powered variants have subsequently been produced. Production of the StreetDeck range was briefly suspended when Wrightbus entered administration in September 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo B8RLE</span> Low-entry single-deck bus chassis

The Volvo B8RLE is a 7.7-litre-engined low-entry bus chassis manufactured by Volvo since 2013 for left-hand drive markets. It was designed as a replacement for the B7RLE and the B9RLE. The right-hand drive version was launched in November 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo 8900</span> Motor vehicle

The Volvo 8900 is a single-decker city bus and intercity bus, first introduced in 2010 as a cross-breed successor to both the aluminium body 8500 and the stainless steel body 8700, taking advantage of both techniques. It is available both with 860 mm step-entrance floor and as the low-entry Volvo 8900LE, and since 2024, is offered on the Volvo BZR chassis as a battery electric bus.

References

  1. "Full Size". Wrightbus. Archived from the original on 11 March 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  2. "Eclipse Urban – A Compliment to the Wrightbus Eclipse" (Press release). Wrightbus. April 2003. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. "Wheelchair access: a Wright solution". Coach & Bus Week . No. 561. Peterborough: Emap. 30 January 2003. Archived from the original on 13 March 2003. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  4. "Blazefield orders six Eclipse Commuters". Bus & Coach Professional. 28 May 2004. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. "Eclipse Commuters to enter service". Bus & Coach Professional. 9 December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  6. "Translink places school bus order". Bus & Coach Professional. 15 November 2006. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  7. "New SchoolRun unveiled by Wrightbus". Bus & Coach Professional. 23 May 2007. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  8. McCreary, Matthew (18 December 2007). "Translink's new fleet to hit the road with style". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 11 October 2024. The first 30 of the 62 seater single decker buses will have a dedicated space for a wheelchair passenger which will be accessed by a powered side lift. The remainder of this order will facilitate additional wheelchair passengers if necessary.
  9. "Raising the bar for bus refurbishment". Bus & Coach Professional. No. 266. 10 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  10. "Nineteen new Volvos for Transdev Burnley and Pendle" (Press release). Volvo Buses United Kingdom and Ireland. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  11. "Malta's new contractor starts". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. "Wrightbus launches Eclipse 3". Buses . No. 727. Stamford: Key Publishing. October 2015. p. 8.
  13. Champan, Jessamy (19 April 2017). "15 single-decks for East Lothian". routeone. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  14. "Delaine upgrades fleet and goes contactless". routeone. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.