In Europe, Van Hool has a broad range of coaches, though all designs share similar looks and are based on the same platform, the TX. The same philosophy is used on the transit bus range, the A-series. In recent years, the company has been focusing on new propulsion technologies, introducing fuel-cell hybrid buses as well as diesel-electric hybrids.
The T8 platform was introduced in 1979. The body was based on the Alizee bodywork that had been launched the previous year. Over the course of several years, a range of touring coaches were developed based on this platform, each distinguished by a number and a name, following a clear naming convention. For example, in "TD824 Astromega":
Read the full text
8 = Part of the T8 series
24 = theoretical maximum number of seat rows
Astromega = name of the double deck integrals
In 1991, an updated "T8 New Look" was introduced, called the T9 in its North American version. Production was ended in the late 1990s, following the introduction of the new (European) T9 platform.
Model names used during the T8's production run included:
Alicron = integral single deck coach (standard height)
Acron = integral single deck coach (high floor)
Astron = integral single deck (formerly interdeck) coach (3.88 m or 12 ft 8+3⁄4 inhigh, two-axle, mid engine, small lower saloon at rear)
Alizee = short length integral single deck coach, single deck coach body on other manufacturers' chassis
Alligator = integral articulated single deck coach
Altano = integral interdeck coach (low driving position and passenger seating above driver)
Aragon = single deck coach body built by Van Hool España on other manufacturers' chassis
Astral = interdeck coach body on mid-engined Volvo B10M chassis (two- or three-axle, small lower saloon at rear)
Astrobel = double deck coach body on other manufacturers' chassis (4 m or 13 ft 1+1⁄2 in high, three-axle, rear engine). A one-off extra-high body was also built on a mid-engined Volvo B10MT chassis for use in Britain.
Amarant = integral double deck coach (3.88 m or 12 ft 8+3⁄4 in high, two-axle, rear engine)
Astromega = integral double deck coach (4 m or 13 ft 1+1⁄2 in high, three-axle, rear engine)
A-series transit bus
In the 1980s, European countries started to move away from standard bus designs, leaving the design of transit buses to the manufacturers. Van Hool's response was the development of the A-series transit buses. The first member, the A500, was introduced in 1985. A complete family would follow, again following a clear naming convention. For example, in 'AG500':
A = Autobus (transit bus)
G = Geleed (articulated)
500 = height of the floor, in millimeters
Production of the A-series continued into the early 21st century, when it was replaced by the newA-series.
T9 series touring coaches
The T9 series was launched in 1995. It included a completely new body design and many other changes. The same philosophy as with the T8 was applied: one platform, many different versions. Also, the naming convention was retained. Over the years, many new variants have been developed. Different models (all available in at least two lengths, see 'products' below) include the Atlino and Atlon, with different floor heights, the Alicron, Acron and Astron, standard touring coaches with different heights and thus different luggage space, the Altano, which has an underfloor cockpit, the Astronef, which features a sloping theatre-style floor, and the double deck Astromega.
The T9 body is available on chassis by Scania, Volvo, and VDL, though only in Sweden and the British Isles. These motorcoaches are referred to as Alizee (single deck) and Astrobel (double deck).
(The European T9 series should not be confused with the T9 series in the United States market, which corresponds with the European T8 New Look.)
TX series touring coaches
At Busworld 2011 in Kortrijk, Belgium, Van Hool presented the successor to the T9 series. The new series is called TX.
newA series transit buses
In 2001, Van Hool introduced the newA series transit buses, replacing the A series. It featured a new body design and many other changes. A complete family was developed, with different length and configurations.
ExquiCity BRT solution
In April 2011, Van Hool launched the ExquiCity platform, aimed specifically at the BRT market. The bus has the styling and comfort of a tram, with the flexibility and cost of a bus. The ExquiCity was launched in two lengths, the single-articulated ExquiCity 18 and the double-articulated ExquiCity 24. Both are available as trolley buses, diesel-electric hybrids, fuel-cell hybrids or full-electric buses.
First orders were placed by the Italian city of Parma (ExquiCity 18 trolley) and the French city of Metz (ExquiCity 24 diesel electric hybrid). A mock-up was presented at the UITP Congress in Dubai. A fleet of ExquiCity 18s commenced service in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 3 September 2018 delivering the bus rapid transit service marketed under the name Glider.
EX series touring coaches
At the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung 2014 in Hanover, Germany, Van Hool presented the new EX series of touring coaches for the European market. It is produced in the Van Hool factory in Skopje, the capital of the North Macedonia.
Product range (North America)
Due to the Buy America Act of 1982, only coach buses were introduced in the United States starting in 1987, and were aimed at the private and charter bus market. Low floor transit coaches by Van Hool were not introduced until 2002. Currently, Van Hool has four separate product lines: the TX series deluxe touring coaches, the CX series touring coaches, the TD925 and TDX double-decker coach, and the A-series transit buses. Van Hool's exclusive dealer in North America is ABC Companies.
In 2018, Van Hool Headquarters announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in Morristown, Tennessee designed to produce public transit buses. The facility was planned to open in 2020, and employ 600 workers, capable of making approximately 400 buses annually. In 2022, the planned factory was delayed until 2025, with Van Hool citing the downturn in the market for tour buses due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, construction never began and in April 2024, Van Hool declared bankruptcy and was acquired by VDL Groep and GRW.
T8 series touring coach
The T815 was first introduced to the United States market in 1987. Later subsequent models are collectively known as the T8 series. The earliest use Cummins L10 diesels. Later versions use Cummins M11 diesels. It was available in 30,-40-and-45-foot (9.14, 12.19 and 13.72 m) length versions.
T9 series touring coach
T9 series are almost identical to the T8 series visually, and are largely identical mechanically as well, except for incremental updates. Later models in the T9 series have larger suspension airbags, as well as front disc brakes instead of drum brakes. Van Hool's VIN consider T8 and T9 to be the same family. It was available as 40-foot (12.2 m) T940 or extended 45-foot (13.7 m) T945 versions.
A3 transit bus series
Van Hool and ABC partnered with AC Transit (Alameda and Contra Costa counties, California) to demonstrate the A3 series as a future transit alternative in 2002. The AG300 is an articulated 60-foot (18.3 m) bus, while the A330 is a 40-foot (12.2 m) bus. The A330 and AG300 low floor transit coaches formally entered service in AC Transit's fleet in June 2003. AC Transit has over 290 Van Hool buses either in its fleet or on order as of August 2016.
Van Hool was building sixteen hydrogen fuel cell buses for the United States as of August 2009. These buses are powered by fuel cells from UTC Power and lithium batteries from EnerDell. Twelve of the buses are being purchased by AC Transit and four by CT Transit of Hartford, Connecticut. This project is unusual in that the buses have been designed from the ground up as fuel cell buses and are designed, built, and integrated by a single manufacturer.
In 2008, AC Transit took delivery of a fleet of new model A300L 40-foot (12.2 m) buses. These buses are unique in the United States market, as they have their engines mounted between the front and rear axles in an attempt to improve the ride quality. This bus is a longer version of the previously introduced 30-foot (9.1 m) A300K (K stands for kort, "short" in Dutch and L for lang, "long"). A survey of AC Transit riders found that they approved of the design and quality of the new buses.
Utah Transit Authority (based in Salt Lake City) purchased ten A300L 40-foot (12.2 m) buses in 2008, followed by four more in 2009, for its MAX bus rapid transit system. These buses differ from AC Transit's A300Ls as they have three doors and are equipped for cold weather and high altitude operations.
York Region Transit (north of Toronto, Ontario) uses the A330 and AG300 buses on its Viva routes, though the A330 buses are being transferred to the conventional YRT service as more Nova LFX buses arrive for the Viva services. The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (south of Montreal, Quebec) also used the AG300 buses, and was the first to use Van Hool transit buses in North America (AG700) in 1989.
Washington, D.C.'s Circulator uses the A330 buses. These 29 buses were purchased from AC Transit in 2005. In addition to the A330 models, the Circulator now uses the new A300K buses, which first went into service in April 2009. The Circulator recently took delivery of fourteen A300K, 31-foot (9.4 m) buses to build out its route structure. The A300K was chosen because of its ability to do the work of 40-foot (12.2 m) buses for nearly all operations with the smaller body and engine of a midi bus.
FirstTransit took delivery of twelve A300Ls and four AG300s in early 2009, for use on the University of Minnesota Campus Connector.
Baltimore, Maryland's Charm City Circulator have recently ordered and since put five A300Ls into service early 2011. The A300L was a supplement order to their already existing, but rehabilitating Designline buses.
TX- American Version highway Coach
In 2015, Van Hool started production of the TX40 and TX45 highway coach in the US. In 2018, production of the TX series stopped in the US.
T21 series luxury touring coach
Introduced in 1995 and based on the European T9 platform, the T21 series features an updated design and more engine choices. Whereas the T8 and T9 series are almost exclusively powered by Cummins diesel engines, the T21 series is available with Cummins M11 plus, Detroit Diesel Series 60, or Caterpillar C13 ACERT engines. Later models of the T21 simplified the windshield into two panes only, replaced headlight assemblies with individual projector lamps, and consolidated the driver console. It is available as 40-foot (12.2 m) T2140 or extended 45-foot (13.7 m) T2145 versions.
C2000 series touring coach
Introduced as a lower-cost coach for long-distance routes, the C20 series, styled similarly to the T21 series, was introduced in 2000 to the United States market. C20 is available with Cummins ISX12 or Detroit Diesel DD13 engines. Previous generations could also be equipped with Cummins M11 plus, Cummins ISM, Detroit Diesel series 60 and Caterpillar C13 engines. Both Allison B500 automatic and ZF AS Tronic automated gearboxes are available. Greyhound operates a fleet of C2045s along with its MCI buses in Michigan.
CX series touring coach
Introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, the CX45 is a redesigned C2045 with a redesigned front end, new rear cap, and new interior features. It was offered with the Cummins ISX12 until 2019, before switching to the Cummins X12. The Detroit Diesel DD13 is also offered.
In 2015, Van Hool introduced a 35-foot coach to the North American market to compete with the MCI J3500. This coach is called the CX35 and is offered with a Cummins L9 (ISL9 before 2017) engine.
Introduced in 2019, the CX45E is an all-electric version of the CX45, with Proterra batteries. A CX35E is in the works, but has not been released as of yet.
TD925 Astromega double-deck touring motorcoach
The TD925 Astromega is a closed-top double-decker motor coach meeting United States specifications. It is a variant of the TD925 Astromega coach available in Europe.
Products
Europe
A308 midibus, full low floor, with side-mounted engine. Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
A309 midibus, low entry (low floor up to the second door). Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
A320 standard bus (out of production)
A300 standard bus, full low floor, with side-mounted engine. Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
A300 CNG standard bus
A360 standard bus, low entry. Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
A330 standard bus, full low floor, engine placed horizontally in the back. Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
A330 CNG standard bus
AG300 articulated bus. Also available as diesel-electric hybrid.
AGG300 bi-articulated bus
A330T trolleybus
AG300T articulated trolleybus
AG300 CNG articulated bus
ExquiCity 18 articulated BRT bus (diesel electric hybrid, trolley, fuel cell or electric)
ExquiCity 24 bi-articulated BRT bus (diesel electric hybrid, trolley, fuel cell or electric
A308E electric bus
newA300K 30-foot (9.1 m) bus, shortened A300L
newA300L 40-foot (12.2 m) full low floor bus, side-mounted midship engine
newA330 40-foot (12.2 m) full low floor bus, side-mounted rear engine
newAG300 60-foot (18.3 m) articulated full low floor bus, side-mounted midship engine
Europe
T915 Atlon
T916 Atlon
TX11 Alicron
TX15 Alicron
TX16 Alicron
TX15 Acron
TX16 Acron
TX17 Acron
TX18 Acron
TX16 Astron
TX17 Astron
TX15 Astronef
TX16 Astronef
TX17 Astronef
TX17 Altano
TX18 Altano
TX19 Altano
TDX20 Altano
TDX21 Altano
TDX25 Astromega
TDX27 Astromega
TD925 Astromega
EX15H
EX16M
EX17H
North America
TX40(Discontinued)
TX45(Discontinued)
CX35
CX45
TD925 Astromega USA
Japan
TDX24 Astromega（Model for intercity buses is called “J-InterCity DD”.）
Trolleybuses
Van Hool A300T
ExquiCity Trolleybus
Airside transfer buses
Van Hool AP1130
Van Hool AP1137
Van Hool AP1237
Van Hool AP1325
Van Hool AP2375
.png){kind=link}
