New gasoline and CNG school buses, a V8 diesel engine, and electronic stability control were among the offerings that customers could experience at a Blue Bird event in Nashville.
PHOTOS: Blue Bird Shows Off New Fuel, Technology Options
One of the new models on display was Blue Bird’s gasoline-powered Vision Type C. The bus runs on a Ford 6.8L V10 gasoline engine.
Blue Bird also showed off its new Vision compressed natural gas (CNG) model. Like the propane and gasoline Visions, its engine is a Ford 6.8L V10, though in this case powered by CNG.
New windows from Lippert Components and transmissions from Allison and Eaton were among the equipment that attendees could check out.
Blue Bird invited customers to ride and drive its latest school buses at a “Product Immersion Tour” stop in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 11. A similar event was held in Dallas in April.
The new gasoline school bus is another offering from Blue Bird’s partnership with Ford and ROUSH CleanTech, the team that brought the propane-powered Vision (seen at right) to the industry.
Blue Bird’s Albert Burleigh (right) talks with customers about the fueling of the propane Vision school bus.
Two Micro Bird models were on display at the event: a T-Series MPV on a Ford Transit chassis (seen here) and a G5 Type A school bus powered by propane.
Attendees peek under the hood at the new Cummins ISV5.0 V8 diesel engine.
Mike Uszak of Bendix explains the safety benefits of electronic stability control (ESC). Attendees could feel the technology at work while taking a ride on a Blue Bird bus equipped with Bendix ESC.
Blue Bird’s Max Bouchard (left) discusses suspension options. In a closed lot with a rumble strip, customers could drive a bus equipped with Hendrickson spring suspension and a bus equipped with Hendrickson air ride suspension to feel the difference.
School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Thomas McMahon prepares to test out the suspension systems by driving over the rumble strip.