[GB] Hybrid d/d 2 - Wright Gemini 2 HEV

Around a month ago I have posted a review on the excellent ADL's Enviro 400H. This time it's the turn of one of its rivals, the Wright Gemini 2 HEV.



Hybrid double decker is nothing strange to Wrightbus actually - they had their eyes on it very early and the pioneer HEV1 has been in service with Arrive London for nearly 2 years. Many of the lessons learn from this bus are incorporated into the new Gemini 2 HEV, primarily the hybrid system - HEV1 begins life with a 1.9L diesel engine from General Motors, and the new Gemini 2 has a  Ford Puma 2.4 litre diesel engine instead (HEV1 was retrofitted with the same engine last year). The engine is coupled to a Siemens ELFA electric drive system to provide traction to the vehicle. The system, designed with the help of Revolve Technology, is said to have the best economy in class - with fuel consumption of up to 10mpg from the latest test by Wrightbus.



This is not the only improvement of course, the new Gemini 2 has a new and more striking look at the front, and using chassis component from VDL Bus, the new bus has a full low floor layout (in contrast to HEV1, which uses the DB250LF chassis). The bodywork is also substantially lighten, and the HEV version weighs at 12,271kg unladen - still, it's 300kg more than the E400H.



The Gemini 2 HEV currently holds the joint top selling hybrid double decker title with the E400H, with 12 on order so far - 5 each with Arriva London and First London, and 1 each with Go Ahead London and Dublin Bus, and so far, only the London ones are in service. Unlike the E400H though, these Geminis don't run on weekends - It was said to be underpowered - Clearly not a great demonstration on the muturity of the type it must be said, despite all the lessons they have learnt from HEV1.

And the ride is not impressive either. It's not uncomfortable or anything - the suspension is good and the bus is very smooth - Actually, it feels more like a tram, unlike the E400H which feels like a bus. The problem lies with the noise - that diesel engine just kicks in all too often. The Gemini 2 HEV has a series system, like Volvo's B5L and the E400H. I haven't been on a B5L yet, since it hasn't got into service, but in the E400H, I did not recall the diesel engine kicks in so often. In this Gemini though, once the bus is on the move, the engine starts and revs. Hard. And it's so loud that it makes my head hurts like something is drilling at the back of the bus. I was expecting a quiet ride on a hybrid, but the noise of this thing is just so annoying.

Which is a real shame really. Everything else of this bus is so right. The ride is good, and the build quality of the whole bus is of the usual high standard you'll expect from Wrightbus. But with that noise, I think Wrightbus has fall short of the mark set by the E400H.



[ 本帖最後由 NV58 於 2009-5-31 12:26 編輯 ]

they still operate mainly on mon-fri, much in line with the similar 5 'HW's from Arriva/Wood Green garage on route 141; the sole example with Stockwell garage was observed-once- in service on route 24 last week..

regards

Yoram

原帖由 NV58 於 2009-5-31 20:24 發表
Around a month ago I have posted a review on the excellent ADL's Enviro 400H. This time it's the turn of one of its rivals, the Wright Gemini 2 HEV.

http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/G2HEV/IMG_4746.jp ...

I would like to know how is the noise level
if compare with a traditional diesel engined bus?

NV58, thanks very much for the update!!!
The interior of looks very neat (virtually no steps) and there is a single seat more or less identical to the E400s next to the front door!!!

So what do we call this bus then? Wright Hybrid? VDL Hybrid with Wright Body???

原帖由 VolvoB7TL 於 2009-5-31 18:16 發表
So what do we call this bus then? Wright Hybrid? VDL Hybrid with Wright Body???

Wright Gemini 2 HEV. I just call it the hybrid Gemini.