This is certainly an interesting vehicle – it’s a touring/intercity bus built by Argentinian company Necochea Coachbuilders – and it’s called the “Aerobus” – but more colloquially known by the locals as “The Bullet Bus.”
Necochea had one objective in mind in building this bus – improved fuel efficiency. It accomplished that by using aircraft fuselage techniques in constructing the body, mostly aluminum monocoque, and enhancing overall aerodynamics. It pretty much succeeded on both counts.
The aluminum body went over a Brazilian-built Scania K-112 chassis – with a longitudinal Scania D11 eleven liter six-cylinder diesel in the back, putting out 225 hp and 900 ft. lbs. of torque. This was a large coach; 14 meters in length – 45 feet.
The buses were quite the sensation when first introduced – passengers were taken with the space-age styling and operators reported a 10% increase in fuel economy compared to other buses.
But problems soon developed – Necochea was a small manufacturer and this was their first attempt at building a bus. They had a mostly non-mechanized production line and quality wasn’t their strong suit. Then complaints arose regarding the round aircraft-style windows which weren’t as large and airy as regular bus windows – passengers weren’t happy with the limited visibility. Then the air conditioning systems started failing as they were undersized and weren’t sufficient to cool the coach.
A total of twelve were built from 1985 to 86, and used mostly by Argentina’s two largest intercity operators, but were pulled from service within three years. Fortunately one has been preserved and restored by operator Urquiza – the pictures above are of this restored coach.
As these buses were being withdrawn, another manufacturer, Cometal, was having much better luck with a similar though more traditional coach – the CX40. Introduced in 1987, these buses were very successful, being built over eight years.
Excellent work, finding these obscure and unique buses, to add to your extensive collection of bus biographies. I don’t find it looks space age, by modern standards. Rather, like a 1930’s interpretation of futuristic. It has a strong retro feel, aided by the aircraft-like ‘fuselage’, and window shapes. Would have possessed a powerful ’30’s look, if finished in stainless steel. I personally, would not call it elegant-looking, or especially attractive. Looks almost homemade, or a one-off novelty bus, for marketing. The bad graphics, cheapen it.
It DOES have that ’30’s “by 1955, everyone will be zipping about in these!” sort-of vibe .
Also, somewhat reminds me of a science fiction-interpretation of an 1800’s Nautilus-style submarine.
Very strange.
Anyway, if it’s Scania, it’s good, that’s for sure.
If any of you have played Battletoads for NES, that bus is a dead ringer for the snakes on the snake level
Fascinating. With only 225 hp to propel a 45′ bus, it needed all the aerodynamic help it could get.
Check out that airfoil spoiler on the roof of the Cometal bus in the last pic. I’m sure lots of wind tunnel testing went into getting that just right!
Spectacular for sure, but the Cometal coach looks much better and much more coherent, color scheme/livery included. Thanks Jim for another bus trip to The Unknown!
Got to agree with that, and in fact, I’d even say it’s a good-looking machine.
Ah. What can one say?
The quest to re-invent the wheel isn’t always a roaring success, but I suppose credit must always be given for trying – and the aesthetics of this are nothing if not trying….
Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Brophy-sensei and Latin America strike again. Pity these were such a failure, but at least they kept one in working order. There are so many cool but fatally flawed designs that only exist in photograph form…