The Anonymous Widower

Wrightbus Goes Back To The Future As It Relaunches The Contour Coach

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Wrightbus.

This is the detail of the press release.

Wrightbus is entering the coach market for the first time in more than 30 years with the launch of two new vehicles in the next 18 months.

The first vehicle to hit the market is the Contour, a low-emission 55-seater coach that was launched at a customer showcase event today (March 5).

It’s a case of back to the future for Wrightbus, which last produced a Contour coach in 1987 before retiring the vehicle.

The second vehicle, a zero-emission hydrogen coach – which is under development in Ballymena, Northern Ireland – will be added to the Wrightbus coach range within the next 18 months to help drive decarbonisation of the sector.

The low emission Contour has a lead time of just six months from order, which is considerably faster than the current one-to-two-year average wait customers have come to expect from the sector. Featuring a Cummins Euro 6 400BHP X11 engine and a ZF automatic gearbox, the modern-day Contour has been built with comfort in mind, with up to 55 reclining seats – each with its own USB port – alongside other modern safety features. Competitively priced and available with or without PSVAR compliance, there is also the option of the vehicle being ‘pre-prepared’, protecting the vehicle’s ‘second life’ and flexibility.

The coach has a range of bespoke options for customers to choose from and is designed to maximise luggage space and functionality.

It will be supported by a full Wrightbus warranty, alongside an unparalleled service and maintenance package from AllServiceOne, the Wrightbus repair and maintenance arm.

With the largest fleet of mobile technicians throughout the UK and Northern Ireland, AllServiceOne is the ultimate one-stop-shop for fleet support and service.

Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said bringing the Contour to market was a pivotal move.

“The coach market has changed over the last few years and it’s the right time for a new player to come to the market.

We have long spoken about broadening our portfolio to offer customers an even greater range of Wrightbus vehicles.

Our first entry into the coach sector after an absence of more than three decades is another significant step in our expansion plans,” said Mr Gales.

“We know there are gaps in the market and the demand for coaches is growing.

This partnership allows us to bring high-quality low-emission vehicles to market almost immediately.

Throughout the process of readying the vehicle for our UK market, we have worked alongside our partner closely to ensure the Contour meets the exacting Wrightbus high quality standards that customers have come to expect.

Our AllServiceOne technicians have embarked on an extensive training programme and have a full working knowledge of the coach to ensure excellent fleet support. “At the same time as the launch of the Contour, our world-leading engineers are continuing to develop our own zero-emission hydrogen coach from our factory in Northern Ireland. We expect the hydrogen coach to be ready for launch in the next 18 months, which is a hugely exciting prospect.” The hydrogen coach concept was first revealed in 2024 as a prototype vehicle.

When launched, it will be a tri-axle hydrogen fuel cell electric coach capable of a 1,000km range, putting it on a par with traditional diesel-fuelled coaches.

These are my thoughts.

The Coach Has A Cummins Engine

Cummins will probably build the engines in their UK factory in Darlington.

Thirty years ago, I did a small data analysis consultancy for Cummins in Darlington and I was impressed by the operation and the company’s attitude.

One of their policies was that if the customer wants a special engine, then the company, is prepared to give the customer what they need.

So you can be sure, that the Cummins X11 engine to be supplied for the Contour coach, will be exactly what Wrightbus want.

The Cummins X15 Engine Is Convertible To A X15 Hydrogen Engine

Some of Cummins diesel engines are convertible to hydrogenfuel, by changing the cylinder head and the fuel system.

This can be done with a Cummins X15 engine and I wouldn’t be surprised if the X11 engine fitted to the Contour coach can be converted to hydrogen.

So an operator can buy a diesel coach and if they need, they could convert it to hydrogen.

USB Ports

This is stated in the press release.

Contour has been built with comfort in mind, with up to 55 reclining seats – each with its own USB port.

When I rode recently in a Irizar coach, there were no USB ports.

There Is A Promised Delivery Time Of Six Months

In the 1990s, I used to part-own a finance company, that leased vehicles.

One of the vehicles we used to loan money for was upmarket coaches like the Wrightbus Contour.

• They were a relatively large loan of about £50,000.
• The borrower was often very reputable with a good credit history.
• The repossession rate was very low.

The press release says, that a two-year delivery time is normal for coaches and, I can remember that we could have financed more coaches, if they had been available.

So it would appear to me, that if Wrightbus can deliver a new coach in six months, they will sell a lot of coaches and I believe from past experience, that finance will be available from trusted sources.

The Hydrogen Coach Will Be A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Tri-Axle Coach

This is stated in the press release.

When launched, it will be a tri-axle hydrogen fuel cell electric coach capable of a 1,000km range, putting it on a par with traditional diesel-fuelled coaches.

I suspect to get the 1,000 km range of the diesel coach and to protect the hydrogen tank, means some extra weight and an extra axle.

But I wouldn’t be surprised to see a reduced range hydrogen coach without the third axle.

Wrightbus Are The Company Who Launched Ballard Hydrogen Fuel Cells In London

I wrote London’s Hydrogen Buses in July 2013 and all Wrightbus buses hydrogen buses have used hydrogen full cells from Ballard Power Systems in Canada.

But there could be a complication in that Cummins make fuel cells in Germany and we are approaching Trumpian Tariff War Territory.

On the other hand in Australian Volgren Rolls Out First Hydrogen Bus Based On Wrightbus Chassis Technology, it shows how Wrightbus are prepared to licence their technology to reputable companies.

So any country, like Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Singapore or the United States, who can build coaches, can licence Wrightbus’s designs and fit the appropriate components to make a complete coach.

Note.

1. Wrightbus is owned by the Bamford family, who own JCB.
2. Wrightbus have licenced designs to Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore in the past.
3. JCB have large manufacturing facilities in India.

I’m certain that the Bamfords and their advisors can work it out!

 

 

March 6, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Design, Finance, Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | Ballard Power Systems, Coach, Cummins, Cummins X11, Hydrogen-Powered Coaches, Northern Ireland, Wrightbus, Wrightbus Contour Coach