Scania Touring PSVAR Press Test
Coach and Bus Weekly recently carried out a press test on our 12.2m PSVAR compliant Touring. Scania’s Touring is not a new model and has been available in the UK for a number of years now.
The model has become a reasonably familiar sight in coach parks across the country but still stands out from the crowd with its sharp headlights, deep black front dash panel, and slightly aggressive stance. In line with current market demands, the latest versions available from Scania are PSVAR-ready, for operators seeking a versatile and reliable workhorse that is suited to a variety of uses.
At the time of CBW’s visit, two different models were available for inspection. The first was a shorter-length 12.1-meter 4×2 version fitted with a front-mounted wheelchair li in what is quickly
becoming the ‘standard’ location behind the nearside wheel providing access for wheelchair users. For CBW’s test drive, however, we opted to look more closely at the longer 13.7-metre tri-axle
6×2 version, with a rear-mounted wheelchair lift.
Exterior
Walking up to the Scania Touring, it has stance and presence. It isn’t brash but does look like
a quality, businesslike product. The LED front lighting and xenon headlights add to the modern look, and the squared wheel arches add a touch of sharpness to the design, which is so needed by the rounded-off end to the tinted glazing at the rear. The low of the window line, from side glazing, across the door and cab side windows, down to meet the windscreen and dark-colored dash panel, is a feature I find particularly neat and visually pleasing, an area where some coaches can look a little clumsy or fussy. I was pleased to note that the destination screens use white LEDs, which do seem to have a nicer and more high-end look to them than the traditional orange display, which helps the coach maintain a more upmarket feel.
Moving around to the rear, the large, clear LED rear light clusters again provide a good degree
of ‘presence’ as well as plenty of visibility from behind, whilst the rear window is neat, with high-level lighting integrated above. Although the rear end is not plain, featuring a number of neat design touches, there is still ample room for operators’ logos or branding, or indeed advertising if used for express coaching work.
The sides are equally blank canvasses, relatively free from intrusions beyond the necessary lighting and handles, plus the radiator grille to the nearside rear. Side locker doors are of the parallel-lift type, making access easy in confined spaces, and ever-popular Durabright alloy wheels ensure a clean and cared-for look. The 38kW roof-mounted air-conditioning module is slim and unobtrusive.
Scania Touring HD Euro 6 Bus (2019) Exterior and Interior
Uplifting
Arriving at the nearside rear, we find the wheelchair lift. I find this a particularly neat solution, as on the Touring it means that the lift itself takes up no locker space. It is housed in a space that would otherwise be unused, above the steered third axle, and accessed by hinging part of the wheel arch panel outwards.
Rightly or wrongly, a criticism of en directed at vehicles equipped with a wheelchair lift is that the door and loft hatch are not well integrated into the design – and whilst design should not trump accessibility, the Touring proves that the inclusion of a wheelchair lift need not impede luggage capacity, nor be an impediment to the overall look of the coach. Viewed from the opposite perspective, one might argue that it places the wheelchair user more remote from the driver, which could be a concern on express or rail-replacement work, though there is of course a ramp request button on both the exterior and interior, within reach of the user.
The wheelchair ramp itself is one that will be familiar to the industry, manufactured by Dhollandia. Operation is as simple and easy as could be expected, and safety is ensured thanks to interlocks between the cab and ramp, preventing the driver from forgetting that the ramp or access door is open and driving away.
It was notable that whilst in motion, there was no additional noise from the door and no rattling from the under-floor ramp audible from the driver’s seat. Coronavirus precautions meant I was not able to hand over control and experience the coach in motion from the saloon, though I saw nothing that would lead me to think that any problems should be expected in this area. In operation, the ramp was smooth and intuitive to use, controlled by a hand-held unit connected via a long coiled cable, and stowed safely inside the rear-most locker when not in use. Four of the 59 Kiel reclining seats are mounted on quick-release tracking to allow removal to accommodate a wheelchair.
A further safety feature is the ability to lower the wheelchair lift manually in the event of a failure, ensuring that a wheelchair-bound passenger can always alight. This is done by use of a manual pump, accessed through the rearmost locker. This feature can only be used for allowing a wheelchair user to get o the coach, however, and for safety reasons it is not possible for the lift to be used in manual mode to allow a user to board.
The layout of the rear-mounted lif is one of the neater ones I’ve seen whilst looking at
PSVAR coaches recently for CBW, but looking at the wheelchair lifts on all of these vehicles and others leads me to wonder: The design of the ramps follows a fairly standard and well-known formula, but a common remark aimed at all accessible coaches is the width needed to deploy it. Might there be a market for ‘side-loading ramps, where the wheelchair user rolls on from one side or the other, rather than the end, and would such a design be technically possible? It would certainly reduce the width of pavement needed by at least a meter.
Interior
Stepping aboard, the entrance area is fit for purpose, with space for passengers to move around, and handrails located conveniently. The interior specification of our test coach, with its 59 Kiel seats, gave it a bright and vibrant feel, the black seats being enlivened by red headrests and side panels. The light grey ceiling gives an airy atmosphere, and a number of lighting options alter the mood of the interior, with di, used bright white LED lighting available, along with permanently illuminated blue night-lighting.
In line with current safety regulations, should anyone activate the emergency door controls, all interior white lighting illuminates automatically. Overhead racks provide storage for smaller
luggage items and carry service units above each pair of seats, which are neat and functional,
combining air vents, reading lights, and a stop request button. Two 19” monitors, one mounted at the front and a second above the of side ‘continental’ door, provide the passenger entertainment, supplied via a Bosch CD/DVD/ MP3 unit. Those travelers wishing to use their own devices will appreciate the USB ports at each seat, and seat-back tables provide somewhere to place those devices, along with snacks or drinks, but no magazine nets are fitted – something which many find useful during a journey, but o en becomes a nuisance for operators, attracting damage or acting as
somewhere to stuf rubbish.
Although the coach is manufactured for Scania by Higher in China, the European-made Kiel passenger seating is fitted at the company’s facility in Antwerp before delivery. I found legroom onboard to be sufcient, and the seats to be comfortable.
The step and cab area, along with the aisle, is fitted with hard-wearing carpet, whilst below
the seats attractive and easy to clean wood-eff etc floooring is provided, this coach featuring a dark
the grey pattern which helps add to the business-like feeling.
For the driver
Whilst the passenger perspective is important in encouraging people to travel, the driver’s
environment is equally important. A happy and comfortable driver is always going to be a better
ambassador for an operator. I have to admit, as a driver, I like the Touring. I like it a lot in fact. So
it was with a little disappointment that I found some niggles in an otherwise pleasant cab area.
Overall, I found the driving position comfortable, the ISRI6860 driver’s seat providing adjustment in every direction a driver could imagine, with adjustable armrests for added comfort on long journeys. I particularly like the high back and ‘wings’ of the seat, which not only make for an impressive-looking seat but also add a small sense of increased privacy for the driver from those sat right behind.
I found the controls on the whole well-placed in terms of reach and visibility, and the dashboard clear and easy to read. As someone who tends to sit quite far forward and high-up, I was very pleased to note that I had a clear view of the dials, which I oen find obscured by the top of the steering wheel on modern designs. Drivers of a more portly stature may find that there is no room between the seat back and the modesty screen behind. I was pleased to see a well-placed coat hook above my right shoulder, where a driver can hang his jacket without it obscuring his view –
one of the first things I look for when stepping aboard and taking off my jacket. I had to note, on the other hand, that storage space within easy reach of the driver was lacking, with no large
A4-sized pockets are available for clipboards and other paraphernalia that a driver might carry
on tour, although two ceiling-mounted lockers are provided above the driver’s and courier’s
seats for documents. I noticed too that the cup holder, integrated into the end of the dashboard
binnacle, might limit the size of cups that can be fitted in – though, by way of balance, its location
and design mean it would be very difficult to knock over or spill a drink.
The tachograph is mounted low down to the driver’s left, at the bottom of the center
console. Although the dashboard can display tachograph information such as driving and
rest time, I can’t say as I’m keen on the habit by some manufacturers of fitting the head unit in
awkward places, where it can be hard to reach and vulnerable to kicking. Scania assured me
that it can be moved, though this does mean one of the other panels taking its place instead.
Operators wanting easy compliance with drivers hours rules can opt to subscribe to Scania’s Fleet
Management system, which provides remote downloading of tachograph data regardless
of the coach’s location, as well as sending information from the vehicle’s own systems for
analysis.
The standard Scania steering wheel I find nicely designed, and the controls for vehicle functions
such as cruise control easy to operate, although the personal preference would be to have them on
the side rather than the bottom of the wheel. Moving further to the left, I was pleased to
note that the courier’s seat had adequate legroom, and was not mounted too low down,
avoiding the feeling of sitting in the stairwell.
Suitably-placed air vents mean that the courier or second driver has a supply of warm or cool air
to help keep them comfortable too, whilst the dashboard in front houses one of the two fridges
fitted onboard.
SCANIA Touring HD Sound Recording & Photo Session
On the road
As we headed out of Scania’s Worksop base, the need to maneuver in the parking area
was a good opportunity to assess the mirrors and general visibility from the driver’s seat.
I’m pleased to say that I found no worries in that regard. The electrically operated mirrors
were easy to adjust, and gave a good view, supplemented by the small screen mounted
to the right of the dashboard, which normally displays an interior view but is programmed to
show the nearside tail swing when the driver signals right, and vice-versa. A useful additional
safety aid when pulling away or turning.
Some drivers who sit further back than I may find that the B-pillars are too far forwards,
restricting the view at junctions. I found no problem in that regard, although I did notice
that the frame for the opening cab window was right at my own eye level. On the whole,
though, I found the driving position to be good, aided further by the twin electric sun blinds –
useful against the early morning winter sun, and supplemented by a manual side blind. The
front blinds feature a solid lower section, with see-through gauze above, meaning that the
driver can make use of them without excessively impeding the forward view of passengers, many
of whom choose to travel by coach – and sit at the front – to enjoy the view. The blinds are well
sized so as not to block the view of the o side mirror when lowered.
It is impossible not to notice the two large sensors mounted in the windscreen, which are
necessary for the array of safety systems fitted to the coach, which includes adaptive emergency
braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Though large, in practice the
sensors are unobtrusive. The same can be said of the destination screen, mounted at the top of the large, single-piece windscreen.
As already noted, coronavirus restrictions meant that it was not possible to switch drivers
and experience the coach from a passenger perspective on the move but from the cab I
noted nothing that would indicate any problems from a passenger’s point of view, with no rattles
or squeaks from the fixtures and fittings. The sunken center aisle in the front half of the coach
means easier access for passengers boarding through the front or continental door, with one
less step to climb, though unwary passengers could be caught out by the step halfway down
the aisle.
Alongside the continental door, a toilet module is fitted, which appeared perfectly useable, and
opposite which is located a small service module containing the second onboard fridge.
Powerful
Taking the coach for a tour of South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, we drove over a
variety of roads including twisty A-roads and motorways, which are the natural home of the
Touring. With 410hp and a maximum 2150Nm of torque available from its 13-liter Euro VI
engine, the Scania had no problems holding its own. Scania’s automated manual eight-speed Opticruise gearbox seemed well up to the task, though drivers used to coach with
an automatic gearbox will need to adjust their driving to match the lazier style of an automated
manual transmission. Progression through the gears was ef artless, as was retardation using the
powerful and predictable retarder.
Even when pushing on a little harder than a driver might with passengers aboard, the
the coach felt stable and planted to the road on its Michelin tires, with good feedback through the
well-weighted steering, while the suspension coped admirably and gave a very smooth and
compliant ride, both no doubt aided by the third axle, which gave added stability against
a crosswind as we headed north on the A1. The ease at which we reached the speed limit, and
maintained it, gave me confidence that the coach would have little di culty handling a full load
of passengers and luggage. Visibility all around under normal driving conditions was excellent,
the mirrors being well positioned.
2020 Scania Touring Bus – Exterior Walkaround Tour
Overall
For operators looking for a high-quality, accessible coach with good luggage capacity, the
Scania Touring seems to fit the bill, especially in this version with rear-mounted wheelchair
li . Available from stock and in various configurations, the coach is a versatile, safe, and
modern all-rounder for operators, a pleasant traveling environment for passengers, and a
sound working environment for drivers. I have to admit that despite a few areas I feel could
be improved when Scania comes to update the Touring, this was a coach that I very much
enjoyed driving. It felt solid, it holds the road excellently, and the engine, gearbox, and retarder
combination work very well together.
Read more: https://www.scania.com/content/dam/scanianoe/market/uk/products-and-services/products/Buses-and-coaches/CBW-Touring-PSVAR-Press-Test.pdf
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