VDL SB120
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The VDL SB120 (previously known as the DAF SB120) is a low-floor light-weight midibus produced from 1999 by VDL Bus International (formerly DAF Bus International) of the Netherlands primarily for the UK market.
The SB120 is similar to its major competitor Dennis Dart SLF. Powered by a Cummins B Series 6-cylinder Euro II engine (later Cummins ISBe 4-cylinder Euro III engine), the SB120 is available in lengths from 8.5m to 10.8m, similar to the Dart SLF. It was initially only available with the Wright Cadet body, built by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, but since the end of 2005, the Plaxton Centro body is also offered.
Unlike the larger VDL SB200, the SB120 has found a sizeable market, especially with Arriva (VDL importer in the UK) in both the UK and the Netherlands. Other sizeable customers include Go North East, Birmingham Coach Company and East Thames Buses.
The SB120 was also sold in UK by Volvo on the Wright Cadet body. This version, however, was sold as the Merit and does not carry either Wrightbus, VDL or Volvo branding. This version has been sold to several operators including Yellow Buses, Bournemouth. However, with the change to Euro IV emissons from October 2006, Volvo and VDL have ended this arrangement.
The SB120 chassis was also adopted by Wrightbus for the development of its hybrid-powered midibus, Wright Electrocity. [1]
The successor to the SB120 is the VDL SB180.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- Other VDL buses sold in the UK
- Competitors
- Dennis Dart SLF
- MAN 14.220
- Optare Solo
