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Optare Tempo
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Optare Tempo
The Optare Tempo is an integral low-floor, heavy duty, full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs. The Tempo SR has since been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.
The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004 after the building of two pre-production prototypes (both of which saw use as demonstrators and subsequently public service); one an example of the longest available (12.6 metres), the other an example of the shortest (10.6 metres), with the first production example (12.0 metres) delivered to Trentbarton in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6 (X1060), 11.3 (X1130), 12.0 (X1200) and 12.6 (X1260) metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top. Tempos were to be built in Optare's Cross Gates, Leeds factory (since relocated).
Optare constructed the Tempo as an all welded heavy-duty box section 'one-piece' integral (unconventionally for the time) from stainless and carbon steel dressed in a mix of GFRP (fibreglass) and aluminium modular exterior panels with sleek bonded glazing (no gasketted), integrating easy maintenance features like swing out headlamp clusters and multiple LED lamps. Key mechanical services are installed on a demountable frame, connected with "no-loss" couplings. Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by finite element analysis firm Analysis by Firth, based in Wigan, UK. The resulting bus underwent testing at the Millbrook Proving Ground.
Achieving interior space comparable to buses 2.55 metres wide (at 2.5 metres wide) with a 900 mm (0.90 m) wide aisle between the front wheel arches, interior amenities offered included an optimised sound insulation package (Tempos were demonstrably up to 5dB(a) quieter at 40mph than contemporary rivals), ambient saloon uplighting, cantilevered seating, luggage pens, tinted single or double bonded glazing, parcel racks, tables, climate control, power outlets and AV systems amongst others. Tempo cabs, set for an optimal driver/passenger height, include a steering column with telescopic tilt and reach and later Optare's computerised 'EcoDrive' gauge pod with TFT. Produced in collaboration with Actia, the revised dashboard incorporates telematics analysis with the ability to alert both the driver and operator in realtime (latter over the internet) to fuel consumption, maintenance issues and driving style.
Tempos were originally powered by a Euro III Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine (upgraded to Euro IV and V compliance with Adblue and SCR technology), with a Euro IV MAN D0836 EGR engine option later introduced (both 6 cylinder), coupled to a ZF 6HP500 Ecomat 2 six-speed automatic transmission as standard or optionally an Allison T310R five-speed automatic transmission. The rear Rába A209 drive axle was engineered to be smoother and quieter, with 4 air suspension bags. ZF 8098 steering gear is implemented through a MAN V9-65L-03 drop centre low-floor front axle suspended on a further two air bags (with electronic kneeling capabilities). Initially utilising (air-operated) drum brakes, by 2007 these were bettered with all-round anti-lock disk brakes, requiring a switch to a Meritor MC13175 rear axle and alternate MAN VOK 07B O8 front axle.
Turning circles are impressive at 7,905mm for the X1060, 8,900mm for the X1130, 9,895mm for the X1200 (beating the shorter ADL Enviro200 MMC at 11,800mm) and 10,763mm for the X1260 model.
Also in 2007, a hybrid version was introduced for London operators, utilising a "fully proven" and "fully reliable" Allison EP40 Parallel Hybrid drive system powered by removable NiMH batteries combined with a Cummins 250 hp ISBe Euro V SCR engine. This technology was integrated into ten 10.6 metre variants, which also featured Transport for London spec double doors, leaving space for 28 seats. Furthermore, the brochure proudly declares that full electric, bio-methane dual fuel, pure plant oil or used cooking oil drivelines were available, designed to fit in the same space.
The Optare Tempo has stopped production and was replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.
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Optare Tempo
The Optare Tempo is an integral low-floor, heavy duty, full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs. The Tempo SR has since been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.
The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004 after the building of two pre-production prototypes (both of which saw use as demonstrators and subsequently public service); one an example of the longest available (12.6 metres), the other an example of the shortest (10.6 metres), with the first production example (12.0 metres) delivered to Trentbarton in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6 (X1060), 11.3 (X1130), 12.0 (X1200) and 12.6 (X1260) metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top. Tempos were to be built in Optare's Cross Gates, Leeds factory (since relocated).
Optare constructed the Tempo as an all welded heavy-duty box section 'one-piece' integral (unconventionally for the time) from stainless and carbon steel dressed in a mix of GFRP (fibreglass) and aluminium modular exterior panels with sleek bonded glazing (no gasketted), integrating easy maintenance features like swing out headlamp clusters and multiple LED lamps. Key mechanical services are installed on a demountable frame, connected with "no-loss" couplings. Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by finite element analysis firm Analysis by Firth, based in Wigan, UK. The resulting bus underwent testing at the Millbrook Proving Ground.
Achieving interior space comparable to buses 2.55 metres wide (at 2.5 metres wide) with a 900 mm (0.90 m) wide aisle between the front wheel arches, interior amenities offered included an optimised sound insulation package (Tempos were demonstrably up to 5dB(a) quieter at 40mph than contemporary rivals), ambient saloon uplighting, cantilevered seating, luggage pens, tinted single or double bonded glazing, parcel racks, tables, climate control, power outlets and AV systems amongst others. Tempo cabs, set for an optimal driver/passenger height, include a steering column with telescopic tilt and reach and later Optare's computerised 'EcoDrive' gauge pod with TFT. Produced in collaboration with Actia, the revised dashboard incorporates telematics analysis with the ability to alert both the driver and operator in realtime (latter over the internet) to fuel consumption, maintenance issues and driving style.
Tempos were originally powered by a Euro III Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine (upgraded to Euro IV and V compliance with Adblue and SCR technology), with a Euro IV MAN D0836 EGR engine option later introduced (both 6 cylinder), coupled to a ZF 6HP500 Ecomat 2 six-speed automatic transmission as standard or optionally an Allison T310R five-speed automatic transmission. The rear Rába A209 drive axle was engineered to be smoother and quieter, with 4 air suspension bags. ZF 8098 steering gear is implemented through a MAN V9-65L-03 drop centre low-floor front axle suspended on a further two air bags (with electronic kneeling capabilities). Initially utilising (air-operated) drum brakes, by 2007 these were bettered with all-round anti-lock disk brakes, requiring a switch to a Meritor MC13175 rear axle and alternate MAN VOK 07B O8 front axle.
Turning circles are impressive at 7,905mm for the X1060, 8,900mm for the X1130, 9,895mm for the X1200 (beating the shorter ADL Enviro200 MMC at 11,800mm) and 10,763mm for the X1260 model.
Also in 2007, a hybrid version was introduced for London operators, utilising a "fully proven" and "fully reliable" Allison EP40 Parallel Hybrid drive system powered by removable NiMH batteries combined with a Cummins 250 hp ISBe Euro V SCR engine. This technology was integrated into ten 10.6 metre variants, which also featured Transport for London spec double doors, leaving space for 28 seats. Furthermore, the brochure proudly declares that full electric, bio-methane dual fuel, pure plant oil or used cooking oil drivelines were available, designed to fit in the same space.
The Optare Tempo has stopped production and was replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.
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