02/11/2016

Eight years after it was first launched, Plaxton’s flagship Elite coach has received a makeover which gently updates the stunning lines that give the design its ‘wow factor’ kerb appeal. New headlight clusters provide a reassuring family look, while the Plaxton logo in the front panel integrates vital driving safety technology provided by the Volvo B11R chassis.

https://cbwmagazine.com/adl-plaxton-elite-press-release/

01 Nov 2016

Eight years after it was first launched, the top of the range Plaxton Elite coach has received a makeover which gently updates the stunning lines that give the design its ‘wow factor’ kerb appeal.

New headlight clusters provide a reassuring family look in line with all Plaxton coaches. The Elite’s already excellent aerodynamics have been further improved with subtle changes to substantially bring down operating cost:

- Speed dependent chassis lowering is activated when the Elite exceeds a speed of 50mph and automatically lowers the vehicle by 20mm to reduce aerodynamic drag. The lower profile is maintained until the speed falls to 44mph.

- Using computational fluid dynamics techniques validated in real-world tests, engineers refined adjustments to the underside of the vehicle which streamline air flows.

- New deflectors on the rear pillars reduce the wake of the vehicle.

Combined, these changes give the Elite a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.33 and improve fuel efficiency by 4% compared with the existing model.

Vital safety and driver assistance technology continues to be provided by the Volvo B11R chassis on which the Elite is based. This includes Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Brake Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control functions. The radar sensor for these has now been integrated into the Plaxton logo on the front dash.

The new look Elite is available on three axles – represented on the Euro Bus Expo stand by a 14m model for Country Lion – and as a 12.6m two axle coach, as shown in the outside display with an example for Acklams Coaches.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com

9th November 2016

On the coach range, revised external styling coupled with underbody streamlining on the Plaxton Elite reduces the drag coefficient to 0.33 and is said to cut fuel usage by 4%. Back in 2008 Country Lion took the first Elite and they have now taken the first of the latest design, a 14m Volvo B11R 6×2 model complete with 48 Fainsa Gala 1018 recliners, 20 of them at tables. A second Elite appeared outside in Acklams livery on a 12.6m two axle Volvo B11R with 460hp engine and I-Shift transmission. This offered 53 Politecnica Relax GTI seats, increasing to 59 if the toilet is demounted.

https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/euro-bus-expo-2016-2/