With these new additions, Plaxton now offers a full range from midicoaches to double deckers – ensuring that more than ever, whatever operators’ requirements, the answer is Plaxton.
The Plaxton Panther LE is designed for stage carriage services that require both easy access and comfort, such as commuter express routes or longer-distance connections doubling up as local services in rural areas.
This single deck, low entry coach has a flat floor in the front saloon, where 16 coach seats and a permanent forward-facing wheelchair position are offered – all accessible through the front door without the need to navigate stairs. Three shallow steps take able-bodied passengers to the remaining seats the rear saloon. In total, the Panther LE provides 53 high-back coach seats with integrated bell pushes, USB charging points, dimmable lights and – in the rear saloon – individual rack mounted service units. Full coach quality air conditioning is provided throughout the entire vehicle.
A manual wheelchair ramp is stowed in underfloor hold space ahead of the rear axles, accessible externally from both body sides. With a volume of 2.1m3, this locker allows additional luggage loading.
The 14.6m Panther LE is based on Plaxton’s proven stainless steel coach body structure,
ensuring a high degree of commonality across the range. It is built on the three-axle Volvo
B8RLE chassis and powered by an efficient 350hp Euro 6 engine that is matched to either
the Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission or a ZF EcoLife fully automatic gearbox.
Forward collision warning, emergency braking and lane keeping support systems are
standard safety features.
With up to 87 seats, the Plaxton Panorama double deck coach is a versatile choice for
intercity coach operation, commuter express services as well as high-capacity touring. 65 of
the seats are on the upper deck, accessed via staircases at the front and centre of the
coach.
Different lower saloon layouts are available to offer wheelchair access through the front or
centre door, depending on operator requirement. A sliding seat system enables rapid
conversion to provide a wheelchair position complying with Public Service Vehicle
Accessibility Regulations.
The 14.5m Panorama is built to an overall height of 4.0m – facilitating international tours –
and shares much of its body structure with Plaxton’s Elitei interdeck coach, giving parts
commonality and making it a good fit for mixed fleets. Total luggage capacity is 10.1m3, of
which 6.8m3 are in a flat floor luggage hold above the rear axles and engine. This hold is
easily loaded along its entire length through locker doors on both sides of the vehicle, as well
as a nearside full height compartment access door.
