Vehicle built on Volvo multi-axle platform
Prakash Bus Corporation (PBC) a subsidiary of S.M. Kannappa Automobiles, Bengaluru, has unveiled its all-new luxury sleeper coach ‘Celeste’ built on Volvo Buses multi-axle platform. MOTORINDIA was present at the unveiling event held at the PBC plant where we spoke to Mr. T. Kesavan, Plant Head, Prakash Bus Corporation Pvt. Ltd., to get details about the new venture and its prospects.
Defining the advent of ‘Celeste’ as redefining luxury in mobility, Mr. Kesavan said: “Prakash Bus Corporation is in a venture with Volvo Buses India and has been in the process of joint production of Volvo multiaxle sleepers. With respect to the same, we have sold around 30 coaches on the Volvo B9R Multiaxle – BS-III / Euro-III chassis, pan-India. Our client profile includes top bus fleet operators like APR, Rathimeena, KPN, Chartered-Bus, Intercity, Prasanna Purple, SRT, Khurana, Kaveri, Morning Star, etc. Celeste is a refined ‘avatar’ of the same multiaxle sleeper, but now on the Volvo B11R I-Shift multiaxle BS-IV / Euro-IV platform.”
Mr. Kesavan added: “The birth of ‘Celeste’ was based on the market requirement for a premium product in the sleeper coach segment, for the bus fleet operator. ‘Celeste’ provides the ethereal luxury for the travelling passengers keeping in mind the luxury and comfort factors.”
The ‘Celeste’ multiaxle sleeper coach bears a new improved front and rear fascia with a premium head light assembly and customized schematic brake lights at the rear. The brake lights depict a classy individual segregated bold look, which makes it defined in an unique fashion as compared to the previous brake light assembly used.
While the interiors give a warm feeling of the comfort level with the luxurious and spacious 2+1 executive sleeper berths with individual LED and mobile phone holders. The new ‘Celeste’ multiaxle will be built in two variants – the 13.8 mtr and the 14.5 mtr variant.
The inaugural event showcased the 13.8 mtr ‘Celeste’ B11R I-Shift variant which has a special enclosed driver berth capsule with a entry door located at the rear end of the coach, which was a special attraction of the coach interiors. The special driver berth capsule is said to be the first of its kind on any sleeper coach in India, and was appreciated by all customers at the event. The driver berth capsule will not only give a good resting place for the driver, but will also ensure proper sleep for him on long route travel, during driving crew change, enroute. The coach has 36 sleeper berths for the passengers. While the 14.5 mtr ‘Celeste’ B11R I-Shift variant will have 42 sleeper berths as told by Prakash Sources. The coach has a rear camera for tracking traffic and during reversing modes, and the camera screen is placed strategically at the line of sight of the driver near to the front windshield, replacing its traditional placement on the driver console.
Speaking about bus and passenger safety on these new coaches, Mr. Kesavan remarked: “The ‘Celeste’ is very well adhered to the Bus Codes AIS : 119, and AIS : 031. The coach has a rear side emergency door as mandatory. We have taken care to maintain low NVH – levels inside the coach for maintaining optimum comfort level for the passenger.”
OEM-built sleeper
Keeping a track of previous sales, when asked about expectations of the new product, Mr. Kesavan optimistically replied: “As you know there have been a great demand of travelling on the sleeper coaches from the passenger end due to the comfort and luxury factors, because of which lately the bus fleet operators have been adherent to purchasing more sleeper coaches for their fleet operations. A multiaxle variant of the sleeper coach gives the operator a choice of maximum sleeper berths on the revenue side and also keeps a brace with their passenger flow demand. Before the OEM built sleeper came into the manufacturing arena, there was a dominant trend of the converted sleepers, where in the existing semi sleeper and seater coaches were converted into sleeper coaches by various bus body builders. The coach use to undergo interior and structural modifications for sleeper conversion. With the advent of OEM approach of building premium range sleeper coaches, presently, the bus fleet operators are at a convenient position to order their sleeper coaches with standard specifications provided by the OEM bus manufacturer, which keeps a track with their demands and requirements. Now, the bus fleet operator can easily order a sleeper coach with a look at a readymade sleeper demo coach, and can customize the order according to his requirements regarding interiors and built-in feature provisions like individual led tv and lighting systems, etc. The OEM-built sleeper coaches are built strictly on Bus Code AIS : 119 adherent structure, which meets the bus and passenger safety norms on priority.”
An excellent market brand
Expressing their views on the expectations and forecast of the bus fleet operators on the launch of the product, Prakash sources showed a positive approach and stated: “With Volvo Buses India and Prakash Bus Corporation having already produced and delivered multiaxle sleeper coaches earlier, we do have a already built – good customer base, including top premiere bus fleet operators. ‘Celeste’ is an improved and refined version of the earlier product in aesthetic, styling and comfort approach with a improved and technically advanced Volvo B11R I-Shift AMT driveline and a Euro IV-compliant Volvo D11C Rear engine. The background support from both Prakash and Volvo Buses India, and the strong customer support and the trust in the brand adds to the usp of the product in the long run.”
Concluding on a positive note, Mr. Kesavan observed: “Volvo, a world class product, and Volvo Buses India have been in the commercial vehicle arena for around 16 years from 2001. With both OEMs – Prakash and Volvo Buses India joining hands in producing ‘Celeste’ – the sleeper building coach industry in India has taken a paradigm shift in OEM sleeper bus design and manufacturing. In the coming days, we do hope that Prakash Bus Corporation will be able to deliver the bus fleet operator a premium product and the travelling passenger an executive travelling experience on board our grandiose luxury coaches.”