Anadolu Isuzu, a bus manufacturer from Turkey with Japanese technology, has announced that the DB subsidiary ‘DB Regio Bus’ has included two models from the manufacturer ISUZU BUS in the framework agreement for mini and midi buses, which runs until 2028, following a tender. The framework agreement covers diesel and electric midi buses. The NOVOCITI LIFE from ISUZU BUS impressed those responsible at DB in Lot 5 for diesel-powered midi buses, while the NOVOCITI VOLT impressed those responsible at
in Lot 8 for battery-powered electric buses.
Isuzu offered its Novociti LiFe as a diesel bus and its Novociti Volt as an electric bus.
The Novociti LiFe has been available on the European markets since 2018 and has also been successfully sold in Germany since 2021. The first examples have been on the German market since then, with more than ten vehicles sold to the ‘Verkehrsbetriebe Mittelrhein’ in Brohl-Lützing (between Bonn and Koblenz), which is part of the Transdev Group. Since then, they have been operating successfully in the Ahrweiler and Mayen-Koblenz districts. The Scherer company from Gemünden in Hunsrück also owns Isuzu Novociti LiFe: they can be used, for example, on the route from Münstermaifeld to the famous Eltz Castle.
Isuzu also presented its ‘Novociti’ midibus as a fully electric bus under the name ‘Novociti Volt’ at the latest at ‘Busworld 2023’, the world’s largest bus-only trade fair, in October 2023.
Similarities between Novociti LiFe and Novociti Volt
Both types are manufactured at the plant in Kocaeli, Turkey, which can build 19,000 buses per year on 300,000 square metres and was opened in 1984. This is a typical history for a Turkish bus manufacturer: the company is still relatively young, but soon became one of the world’s largest bus manufacturers.
Production is based on the ‘Isuzu Manufacturing Management System (IMM)’, i.e. according to Japanese standards. In Turkey, Isuzu has over 30 sales offices and more than 100 service centres. For international business, there are sales and service partners in more than 45 countries and the number is growing. (Isuzu Germany is based in Munich).
Technical data of Novocity LiFe and Novociti Volt
Both types are at least 7,863 mm long, 2,435 mm wide and 3,250 mm high, but as electric buses they are also available with a length of up to 8,110 mm.
Isuzu Novociti LiFe
A diesel engine from ‘Fiat Power Train (FPT)’ with common-rail injection and an output of 137 kW (186 hp) powers the diesel version. This gives the car a decent engine. One is reminded of times when 12 metre long diesel coaches (with a correspondingly large number of passengers) had to make do with 150 hp, even uphill. The coaches for DB Regio Bus will have the 6-speed automatic transmission ‘T 3270 RxFE’ from Allison and transfer their power to a rear axle from the manufacturer Brist (from Brescia in Italy).
The coaches can carry 55 passengers, 19 of whom have upholstered seats. There are also three folding seats. Passengers board through a single-leaf inward-swinging door at the front by the driver. The centre door has a width of 1,200 mm and there is also a folding ramp for wheelchairs, pushchairs, etc. There is also a special utilisation area at the centre door.
Alternatively, Isuzu offers a version with 20 seats and four folding seats; here the special use area is correspondingly somewhat smaller and the centre door only has a clear width of 950 mm. DB Regio Bus will have to make a decision: more comfort for passengers in the coach or more comfort when boarding and alighting.
The coaches display their destination on all four sides – something that is by no means a matter of course today. Meanwhile, USB charging plugs for passengers are a matter of course.
The air conditioning is deliberately divided into two areas: Driver’s area and passenger area. The driver can adjust the climate in his workplace as he wishes and does not have to accept the climate that supplies the passengers.
Isuzu Novociti Volt
It is based on the platform of the Isuzu Novociti LiFe, but is 7,957 mm long – 8,010 mm in the longer version – and therefore slightly longer in both versions than in the diesel version. Its ‘TM 4 Sumo’ electric motor comes from the US manufacturer Dana. It delivers 270 kW with a torque of 2,500 Nm.
The lithium-ion batteries are located on the roof and have a capacity of 268 kWh at a nominal voltage of 600 volts. The batteries are charged at the depot via CCS combo plugs with a charging capacity of 150 kW.
In the version for Deutsche Bahn, the electric midibuses will be able to carry 47 passengers, 21 of whom will have a fixed seat and four a folding seat.
Der Isuzu Novociti Volt
Er basiert auf der Plattform des Isuzu Novociti LiFe, ist allerdings 7.957 mm lang – in der längeren Version 8.010 mm – und damit in beiden Ausführungen geringfügig länger als in der Dieselversion. Sein Elektromotor vom Typ „TM 4 Sumo“ stammt vom US-amerikanischen Hersteller Dana. Er leistet 270 kW bei einem Drehmoment von 2.500 Nm.
Die Lithium-Ionen-Batterien finden sich auf dem Dach, sie haben bei einer Nennspannung von 600 Volt eine Kapazität von 268 kWh. Geladen werden die Batterien auf dem Betriebshof über CCS-Combo-Stecker mit einer Ladeleistung von 150 kW.
In der Version für die Deutsche Bahn werden die Elektro-Midibusse 47 Fahrgäste befördern können, von denen 21 einen festen Sitzplatz und vier einen Klappsitz vorfinden werden.
