Wright Eclipse

Wright Eclipse, Eclipse SchoolRun

Transdev Burnley & Pendle Wright Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in March 2009
Overview
Manufacturer Wright
Body and chassis
Doors 1 or 2
Floor type Low floor / step-entrance, low entry
Chassis Volvo B7L
Volvo B7RLE
Volvo B7R
Volvo B8RLE
Powertrain
Engine Volvo
Transmission ZF
Voith

The Wright Eclipse is a low-floor single-deck bus body built by Wrightbus since 1999. The second-generation Eclipse 2 launched in 2008, followed by the third-generation Eclipse 3 in 2015. The Eclipse, and its sister design the Solar, were named for a solar eclipse which was visible in the UK in 1999, the year of its introduction.

The Eclipse was launched in 1999 on Volvo B7L chassis and, in 2003, the body was made available on the more popular Volvo B7RLE chassis. A modified version, the Eclipse SchoolRun, was later launched on Volvo B7R chassis. In November 2008, Wright unveiled the Eclipse 2 at the Euro Bus Expo 2008, with front and rear ends facelifted to match the Wright StreetCar. In 2015, the Eclipse 3 was launched on Volvo B8RLE chassis, the successor to the B7RLE.[1]

Over 2,100 Eclipses have been built, with FirstGroup the largest customer.[2]

Variations

First Calderdale & Huddersfield Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7RLE in Hebden Bridge in July 2007

Eclipse Commuter

The Commuter was another high-floor variation of the original Eclipse, based on the Volvo B7RLE chassis. This was aimed at intercity travel without the size complication of a standard coach, but with all its features, such as under-floor storage and a high seating position. Only five were built, the majority for Stagecoach Western.

Ulsterbus Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R in Belfast in October 2009

Eclipse SchoolRun

The SchoolRun is a bus body based on the Eclipse for use on school bus services. It was designed for the Volvo B7R coach chassis. It featured 2+3 seating, seat belts and side wheelchair access.

Ulsterbus of Northern Ireland ordered 110 Eclipse SchoolRuns in late 2006. The first of these entered service during summer 2007. The company also ordered a further 50 of these vehicles to be delivered after finishing the current order of 110, the further 50 ordered will only have 62 seats compared to the current batch having 66 seats, the reason for the downgrade in seats is to save time of taking out and putting back of the seats at the wheelchair area.

References

  1. ↑ "Wrighbus launches Eclipse 3" Buses issue 727 October 2015 page 8
  2. ↑ Wright Eclipse Bus Lists on the Web

External links

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