|
 Optare
has announced the end of production of
its original Solo design after some 14
years. The original model is being retired
in favour of the new look Solo SR for both
UK and exports markets.
Since
its introduction in 1997, more than 4,000
of the original Solo design
have entered
service in the UK, including exports
to the USA, Western Europe and beyond.
The
first vehicles which were delivered to Wilts
and Dorset, now part of Go-Ahead
group, continue
to operate in daily passenger-carrying
service and in total, Optare
Solos
in the UK alone
are estimated to have clocked up over
a billion miles. The
Solo SR was launched in 2007 as a premium
model with an entirely new exterior
appearance and has grown significantly
in popularity.
The new 2012 Solo SR range will consist
of 7.1m, 7.8m, 8.9m and 9.6m variants,
all available
in the Slimline (2350mm wide) version.
The 8.9m and 9.6m models will also
be available in the wider 2500mm body width.
All will
feature curved side glazing and high
specification interiors allowing up to
37 seats in the
longest derivative.
The
opportunity has
been
taken to redesign some of the bodywork
components to take advantage of the
benefits achieved
on the recently released Tempo SR
design which reduce both weight and cost
and
further improve fuel economy. Glenn
Saint, Optare’s Chief Operating
Officer, said: “Moving to the single
body exterior and interior design will give
all operators the benefit of the enhanced
features of the Solo SR but the increased
volume this creates will allow pricing to
remain competitive with other products on
the market”.
Building
upon the existing mechanical design ensures
continuing proven
reliability and
with no surprises from untested
new designs. All Solo SR models will
be available with
either Mercedes-Benz or Cummins
drivelines allied to Allison transmissions.
The
move to the standardised Solo SR range
will take place during
the summer
of 2012
following delivery of current
order commitments.
For
further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Automotive PR, T: +44 (0) 207 952 1070, M: +44 (0) 7836 210 009,
E: mhayes@automotivepr.com |
