AS AUSTRALIAN bus distributor BLK Auto rolls out its hydrogen bus range, a new President 2 coach - or body for selected OEM chassis of choice - has just hit the local market, the company has announced.
It was a pretty good-looking coach body to begin with, but in the modern age with a new range of drive types for operators to choose from, eventually at least – diesel, hydrogen and electric – the popular BLK President 2 2022 update has just been released onto the Australian bus market.
BLK Auto confirms that it can supply the new President 2 as a completely built unit (CBU), or just as a body for application to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) chassis of a bus operator’s choice.
While overwhelmingly the best characteristics of the previous President 2 have been maintained, it’s the strikingly stylish and new modern front end treatment that first catches the eye to discerning fans and sets the tone for the rest of the new President 2 experience.
The slimline quad-light LED look of the front bumper is smartly connected with a joining ‘bejewelled-look smile’ of similar design and almost thin and chic eyebrows above each set of globes.
Upon approach to the entrance, a diagonal chrome highlight connects upwards to the flanks to underline the horizontal windowsills, all the way to the new back end.
Here, the funky ‘italicised’ rear lights punctuate each side below the beautifully rounded edges as it reaches up to the roofline. Engine ventilation is facilitated at the rear-right flank by an almost rhombus-shaped grille area.
FIRST DROP
As the rollout of the new President 2 begins, early adopters are already big fans and are sure their passengers’ travel experiences will only be enhanced via such a good-looking coach, they say.
Queensland operator Blue Bus Tours has already picked up its first and has nothing but praise for the new model thus far.
Blue Bus Tours offers short and extended accommodated coach tours throughout Australia, and its owners, the Jacob family, were thrilled to launch their new luxury President 2 tour coach.
This adds to a fleet that allows them to transport their passengers in style and comfort to the special places they hold dear in their hearts Ð the beauty that is ‘off the beaten track’ in Australia, the company explains.
Blue Bus owners Geoff and Sandra Jacobs said: “We decided to go with the new BLK President 2 as it had all the features we needed plus extras at a very competitive price.
“The aftersales service and extensive spare parts range held [at BLK Auto] was another factor in our decision on choosing the new BLK President 2,” they explained.
Blue Bus has purchased a second BCI-badged (BLK-built) coach in the past, but this is the first fully BLK- built coach for the operator, which was purchased recently from BLK Auto, based in Queensland.
The solid relationship has been based on the support received from BLK Auto’s spare parts and service department, Blue Bus confirms.
.jpg)
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH
After the successful launch of Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) President 2 coach late last year, BLK Auto is now striving ahead in providing bus operators both a modern fleet and choice of running systems, it states.
With a further nine HFC President 2s departing for their new home in Western Australia, BLK Auto is actively showcasing the new-look President 2 across Australia (as pictured). The new BLK President 2 front end is modern and boasts LED lighting, including a bold new centre LED backlight section that brings the new model into, “…the next era of coach design,” BLK Auto explains.
“The coach is a favourite of many operators due to its comfort, excellent build quality and high spec features,” said BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic.
“As a boutique manufacturer, BLK Auto offers the President 2 [two-axle] and President 3 [three axle] not only in traditional diesel, but also as battery-electric [BE] or as a HFC option,” Pecotic was keen to point out.
“It has had positive pre-launch verbal feedback from long-standing President 2 users, who have viewed and test driven the newly styled version, and they’ve come away impressed, believing it should be well received by industry for multiple applications like touring, day charters and school charters,” he added.
“I am proud to be able to showcase our new President 2 Coach to the Australian bus industry. The new modern enhanced styling of this coach is central to our zero emission future strategy as we offer this coach not only in the traditional diesel, but also with our new BEV and HFC options.
“BLK Auto is also aligning this new look with our chassis partners to provide operators with our new modern look.”
BATTERY ELECTRIC
Additionally, BLK Auto is excited to confirm that it has two President 3 BEVs in build and due to arrive in Australia in July for a major customer, which it could not name at this point due to confidentially.
BLK Auto says it worked very closely with several leading bus operators and other industry experts in developing a BEV coach to suit the tough Australian market.
“We purposely positioned the batteries in the undercarriage to ensure a smooth ride, but also maintaining the aesthetic appearance,” Pecotic stated.
The approach by BLK Auto to partner with other vendors is typified via MAN recently supplying a chassis for a new President 2 body.
“This collaborative approach is further extended with BLK Auto also working with Australian body builders to place their body on a BLK chassis,” Pecotic explained.
Specs
MAKE: BLK
MODEL: 2022 President 2 (for Blue Bus Tours)
BODY/CHASSIS: Australian ‘Duragal’ galvanised steel
ENGINE: Cummins E5 ISL360
TRANSMISSION: Allison T390R six-speed automatic with retarder
AXLES: ZF front and rear
WHEELS: Alloy
FUEL TANK: 400 litres
SEATS: 53 Sege reclining coach seats with tray tables and USB connection point; body is wheelchair lift equipped; Isri driver’s seat
MISC.: Aircon – Spheros C355 auto heat/cool with bock compressor plus separate driver’s A/C; large underfloor luggage bins; domino-style luggage racks; reverse camera; cruise control; and more.
Photography: courtesy BLK Auto