Caetano Levante

The Caetano Levante is a coach body built by Salvador Caetano on Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF, Scania K EB, Volvo B8R, Volvo B9R, Volvo B11R, Volvo B12B and Volvo B13R chassis, exclusively for National Express in the United Kingdom. It was specifically designed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.[1][2][3]

Caetano Levante
National Express Scania K410EB6-engined Caetano Levante III at Luton Airport
Overview
ManufacturerSalvador Caetano
Also calledCaetano Winner
Caetano CT650
Body and chassis
Body styleExecutive Coach
Doors1
Floor typeStep entrance, wheelchair access at entrance using a lift
ChassisMercedes-Benz OC 500 RF
Scania K EB
Volvo B8R
Volvo B9R
Volvo B11R
Volvo B12B
Volvo B13R
Powertrain
TransmissionVolvo I-Shift 12-speed
ZF Ecomat automatic
Scania Opticruise
Dimensions
Length12.60 m (41 ft 4+1⁄8 in) (2 axles)
14.20–14.90 m (46 ft 7 in – 48 ft 10+5⁄8 in) (3 axles)
Width2.55 m (8 ft 4+3⁄8 in)
Height3.70 m (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Chronology

Originally only available on the Volvo B12B chassis, the Levante enabled both able-bodied and wheelchair passengers to enter the vehicle via the front door, using a combination of a front-mounted lift and two single pedestal-mounted seats in place of the traditional double at the front nearside of the passenger area. The Levante is used by most National Express contractors, although some contractors continued purchasing Plaxton Elites.

This model is similar to a Portuguese market model, Caetano Winner, which was presented in 2004 and was born from a collaboration with Evobus with the first units being equipped with Mercedes-Benz OC500 chassis, but other manufacturers' chassis can be applied. Levante bodies which are not built new for National Express work are known as CT650s.

Levante III

In September 2017, the Levante III was launched with prototypes built for National Express contractors Edwards Coaches on a Volvo B11R and Skills Coaches on a Scania.[4][5]

An upgraded variant named the Levante IIIA is currently being trialled by National Express. Built on a new Scania 'Step E' chassis suitable for a potential electric drivetrain and featuring a new front end module and suspension, the Levante IIIA is equipped with camera mirrors replacing the traditional mirror arms, warning sensors for road and blindspot hazards, and a new cab area layout. Two Levante IIIAs are to be operated on trial by contractors Clarkes of London and Bruce's Coaches before the type is rolled out across the National Express coaching fleet from spring 2023.[6][7]

References
  1. Accessible coaches starts trials BBC News 24 November 2005
  2. Scania announces Caetano bodies for NatEx Archived 2016-06-24 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 4 July 2006
  3. National Express goes for 15m coaches Archived 2016-05-07 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 5 June 2007
  4. National Express unveils Caetano Levante III Coach & Bus Week 27 September 2017
  5. All-new Levante is here Route One 29 September 2017
  6. "National Express trials mirrorless coaches". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  7. Peat, Chris (23 November 2022). "New Caetano Levante IIIA to be trialled". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
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