MCV Evolution
The MCV Evolution (stylised as eVolution; internal designation: MCV C102) is a low floor and low entry single-decker bus body built by Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles. It was unveiled in 2003 as the successor to the MCV Stirling. The MCV Evolution 2 (internal designation: MCV C124RLE) was launched, initially on Mercedes-Benz chassis in 2011.
MCV Evolution | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | MCV |
Production | 2003–2017 |
Assembly | Egypt |
Body and chassis | |
Doors | 1 or 2 |
Floor type | Low floor Low entry |
Chassis | Alexander Dennis Dart SLF Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MAN A22 MAN A66 (14.220/14.240) MAN A76 (12.220/12.240) Mercedes-Benz OC500LE VDL SB180 VDL SB200 (one only) Volvo B7RLE Volvo B8RLE |
Powertrain | |
Capacity | 27 to 41 seated |
Dimensions | |
Length | 8.5m to 12.1m |
Width | 2.5m |
Height | 3.0m |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | MCV Stirling |
Successor | MCV Evora |
Description and use
The MCV Evolution is based on the Stirling that it has a rounded roof dome (no longer peaked) and a separately mounted destination display with either a double-curvature windscreen or a single-curvature windscreen and it is offered on the MAN 12.220 (A76), 12.240 (A76), 14.220 (A66) and 14.240 (A66) however there were plans to body on an even shorter MAN chassis, the 10.220, which can be built as short as 8.5m long.
From late 2005 it was offered on the Alexander Dennis Dart SLF. In October 2009, MCV and dealer Arriva Bus & Coach unveiled a MCV Evolution VDL SB180 at Coach and Bus Live 2009.
The MCV Evolution was also offered on larger full-size single-decker buses, such as the Volvo B7RLE, Volvo B8RLE, MAN A22 and Mercedes-Benz OC500LE; this was replaced by the long-wheelbase MCV Evora in 2018, although the Evolution 2 remains in production on shorter, more lightweight chassis.[1][2][3]
One Evolution body was built on VDL SB200 chassis in 2012 as a static demonstrator for Arriva Bus & Coach, two years later it was sold to Richards Brothers in Wales.[4][5]
Transport for London contractors Docklands Buses and Metroline both purchased examples, while Tranzit Group of New Zealand purchased 58.[6][7][8] Go Bus of New Zealand currently operates 43 of the type, 31 being the 15.250 MAN chassis and the remaining 12 being 14.240 MAN chassis.
The original Evolution body is internally designated by MCV as the C102 on Alexander Dennis, MAN, VDL, and Volvo chassis and as the C120LE on Mercedes-Benz chassis, while the Evolution 2 body is internally designated as the C124RLE on Mercedes-Benz and Volvo chassis and as the C130RLE on MAN chassis.
Gallery
- Bakers Dolphin MCV Evolution bodied MAN 14.240 rear at Weston-super-Mare station in August 2012
- Webberbus MCV Evolution 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in Burnham-on-Sea in May 2014
- Somerbus MCV Evolution 2 bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LE in July 2013
References
- "Mercedes-Benz OC500LE MCV Evolution C124RLE" Bus & Coach Buyer 16 December 2011 page 16
- Versatile, high-capacity MCV Evora is unveiled Route One 26 February 2018
- MidiBus MCV UK
- Designed to Lead.,.Built to Last Arriva Bus & Coach
- Arriva Bus & Coach holds Wellingborough open day Bus & Coach Buyer 23 April 2014
- MCV Bus Lists on the Web
- Tranzit Group Australian Bus Fleet Lists
- "Optare wins NZ export order for its MetroCity" Buses issue 752 November 2017 page 7