Yutong aims to break into Europe with another diesel coach

Yutong is expanding its diesel-powered coach range for continental Europe with another model: after the 12-metre T12 unveiled in the spring, the Chinese manufacturer has now taken the wraps off the left-hand-drive version of the larger, 14-metre T14. The model itself is not unknown in Europe, as Yutong has already launched the all-electric version of the T14 under the T14E name, but the new variant arrives not with battery-electric propulsion, but with a conventional diesel drivetrain. The reason lies primarily in its intended field of use; the electrification of long-distance coach transport is still progressing much more slowly than in the urban segment, while for operators, diesel propulsion remains difficult to replace for the time being thanks to its long range, rapid refuelling and widely available infrastructure. Yutong is therefore aligning itself with current demand in this market, and is seeking to gain further share in the coach segment, which continues to struggle with supply constraints, with a product tailored specifically to European requirements and equipped with a drivetrain widely used on the continent.

From this point of view, Yutong’s timing is far from accidental. Supply remains tight on the European coach market, while demand, which fell back during the coronavirus pandemic, has recovered strongly in recent years. Production capacities, however, are still unable to keep pace at the same rate: several former players have disappeared or withdrawn from manufacturing complete buses in Europe, while the capacities of the remaining manufacturers are in many cases booked up for a long time ahead. All this results in long delivery times and order backlogs, meaning there is still room for new players that can enter the segment with the right product, large production capacity and shorter lead times. As the world’s largest bus manufacturer, Yutong has exactly these attributes, so the European introduction of the T14 after the T12 is also a logical move to take advantage of the current market situation.

To find out exactly what European operators can expect from the new T14, we also asked Yutong itself, so we take a closer look at the type with information provided by the manufacturer. At the same time, based on our own experience, it can already be said by way of introduction that Chinese origin in itself is hardly a reason for reservations: judging by the 15-metre, all-electric T15E we previously tested, Yutong now represents a level of engineering, material use and assembly quality that can be compared without hesitation with products of a similar category from European manufacturers.

This also clearly illustrates the change that the leading edge of the Chinese bus industry has undergone in recent years. The quality-related prejudices that, even a decade ago, almost automatically accompanied the arrival of Chinese vehicles in Europe have now largely disappeared in relation to major manufacturers such as Yutong, BYD or Higer. It is important, however, not to generalise this to the entire Chinese bus industry: significant differences remain between the leading brands and the countless smaller, second-tier manufacturers in terms of product quality, development background and aftersales services in Europe.

The T-series has been optimised specifically for long-distance and tourist applications, and its development was based on European operating requirements, something also reflected in its Spanish design. Yutong also does not rely on an external chassis manufacturer: the T14 is an in-house-developed, integral construction, while its drivetrain and several important components are based on solutions from well-known European suppliers.

The bus’s frame structure is made using high-strength steel with a yield strength of 700 MPa. Put simply, this means that the steel used can withstand mechanical stress of around 700 newtons per square millimetre before permanent deformation begins. By way of comparison, the yield strength of conventional structural steels is typically around 235–355 MPa, so the material used for the T14’s frame is substantially stronger in this respect.

In a bus design, this has a dual significance: the higher strength makes it possible to design certain frame elements with thinner walls or in a lighter form without sacrificing the necessary load-bearing capacity, while it can also provide greater reserves at structural points exposed to high loads. The aim, therefore, is to keep kerb weight under control while ensuring adequate body rigidity and a long service life. Yutong has designed the T14’s main load-bearing frame structure for a planned service life of 20 years or two million kilometres.

Durability is also supported by the cathodic electrophoretic dip-coating process applied to the entire body, which creates an even corrosion-protection coating even in the cavities and hard-to-reach parts of the steel structure. According to Yutong, the electrophoretically treated frame structure has also passed a salt-spray corrosion test lasting more than 1,000 hours; on this basis, the manufacturer expects 15–20 years of corrosion resistance for the main load-bearing structure. This is a particularly important consideration for a coach, where the high annual mileage and long planned operating life mean that body durability directly affects the vehicle’s total life-cycle cost.

In terms of dimensions, the three-axle T14 already belongs among high-capacity coaches: it is 13,970 mm long, 2,550 mm wide and 3,865 mm high, with a maximum permissible gross weight of 22 tonnes. Its maximum passenger capacity is 57, and up to 11 m³ of luggage space is available beneath the floor. Despite its 6,690 mm wheelbase, the manufacturer specifies a turning circle of less than 20 metres, which can be an important factor when manoeuvring a nearly 14-metre, three-axle vehicle in tighter urban environments and coach parks.

For the drivetrain, Yutong has once again not experimented with new solutions, but has relied on components well known from European heavy vehicles. The T14 is powered by the 12.9-litre DAF (Paccar) MX-13 diesel engine, delivering 350 kW and a maximum torque of 2,500 Nm, paired with a ZF 6AP2520C automatic transmission. The axles also come from ZF, and the steering gear from Bosch, meaning that while the T14 is an in-house-developed, integral Yutong design, several of its key technical units are supplied by components widely used in Europe. For European operators, this may also be an advantage in terms of parts supply and serviceability.

Alongside suitable performance, emphasis has also been placed on economical operation; according to the manufacturer, Yutong’s BlueCore intelligent fuel-saving system and electric cooling fans can reduce fuel consumption by 2–3%. Aerodynamic improvements also contribute to this: the ECAS system, or electronically controlled air suspension, varies the body height depending on speed, while Yutong claims that the use of a camera system in place of conventional exterior rear-view mirrors and a more streamlined front end has reduced the drag coefficient by a total of 20%.

In keeping with long-distance use, comfort was also the main priority in the design of the passenger compartment. The temperature of the driver’s area and passenger saloon can be controlled independently, with the two-zone air-conditioning system providing 36,000 kcal/hour of cooling output and 38,000 kcal/hour of heating output. A fresh-air system takes care of interior air quality, while the passenger seats are offered with an ergonomic design optimised specifically for longer journeys.

Yutong has not cut corners on onboard services either: the T14 can be equipped with an audio system featuring up to 26 speakers and a central 22-inch HD display, while comfort on longer journeys can be supported by a refrigerator, toilet, water dispenser and several options for charging electronic devices. Befitting a flagship model, the equipment list also includes two Yutong solutions recognised with innovation awards: a 360-degree sound system and an NFC card-based digital key. Comfort and ride stability are enhanced by Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which adjusts the characteristics of the dampers to the road conditions and the current driving situation. The driver’s area is now much more reminiscent of today’s passenger cars: the central element of the dashboard is a digital system consisting of 10.25-inch and 12.8-inch displays, accompanied, among other things, by a 360-degree camera view, phone integration and screen mirroring. According to Yutong, the new interface uses 60% fewer physical switches while enabling control of 20% more functions.

The safety equipment is also aligned with European requirements. The T14 is built with an electronic braking system (EBS), electronic stability control (ESC), an advanced emergency braking system (AEBS), a lane departure warning system (LDWS), intelligent speed assistance (ISA), blind spot information system (BSIS), a moving-off information system monitoring the area in front of the vehicle (MOIS), and a system monitoring driver drowsiness and attention (DDAW). Standard equipment also includes an electronic parking brake, preparation for an alcohol interlock, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), rear parking sensors, and intelligent headlight and windscreen-wiper control. According to the brochure, however, the 360-degree camera system and the digital rear-view system replacing conventional exterior mirrors are optional extras.

With the left-hand-drive version of the T14, Yutong is primarily targeting southern European markets, where the significant role of coach transport and the enduring position of diesel propulsion could create favourable conditions for the type. In these markets, price and short delivery times can in many cases carry at least as much, or even more, weight than the brand name itself, potentially overriding operators’ traditionally strong brand loyalty. The T14’s market prospects, however, will be determined not only by price and technical content, but also by availability and aftersales support. In the latter area, Yutong starts from a particularly strong position among Chinese manufacturers; its extensive European presence and the sales, parts and service background it has built up in recent years could provide an advantage that many Chinese brands newly appearing on the continent do not yet possess.

Photos, CGI: Yutong Bus & Coach