Optare Alero
The Optare Alero is a low-floor integral minibus that was built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Optare Alero | |
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![]() Cumfy Bus Optare Alero in Birkenhead in 2007 | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Optare |
Production | 2001-2008 |
Body and chassis | |
Doors | 1 (double) front door, 1 emergency rear door |
Floor type | Low floor |
Chassis | Stainless Steel Chassis / cage |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Iveco 2.8TD |
Capacity | 22 seated |
Transmission | 6M / 3A |
Dimensions | |
Length | 7.2 metres |
Width | 2.2 metres |
Height | 2.5 metres |
Curb weight | 5600Kg MVW |
Chronology |
Around 300 were built in the first five years of production. The primary markets for the Alero have been community transport groups and rural demand responsive bus routes.
Features
The Alero has an Iveco engine and a choice of manual or automatic ZF transmission. It typically seats between twelve and sixteen passengers, capacity being partly dependent upon whether space is provided for a wheelchair. The destination display box is optional.
Alero+
The Alero was relaunched in 2006 as the Alero+. Various changes and component upgrades have been made in an attempt to overcome reliability and durability issues suffered by the original design.[1] In 2008, the Alero was discontinued.
Motorhome Conversions
The Alero is sometimes chosen as a base vehicle for conversion to a motorhome. The aspects which suit this use are the low floor, powered doors, plenty of space internally, saloon heating pre-installed (although usually no longer working), much glazing already there which is easier (cheaper) to blank out than it is to fit windows to a van - and most significantly it looks great as a motorhome.
Gallery
- Arriva North West and Wales Optare Alero in Wrexham in April 2008
- GHA Coaches Optare Alero in Mold in October 2009
- Motorhome converted Alero in Dornoch on the NC500, Summer 2019
References
- Millar, Alan (2007) Bus & Coach Recognition : Ian Allan Ltd., ISBN 0-7110-3136-3
- Optare launches upgraded Alero 'Plus' Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 1 June 2006
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Optare Alero. |
- Product description in Optare website (Web Archive 2007/12/24)
- Bus and Coach Buyer Issue 990 Page 11
- Optare Alero Motorhome Conversion Facebook page
- Optare Alero Knowledge Base Facebook page