Grander Toro

The Grand Toro has seen some improvements since it launched two years ago. EVM UK

Jonathan Welch speaks to EVM UK about the recent suite of improvements made to its Grand Toro midicoach model

It’s around two years since Anadolu Isuzu appointed EVM UK as its distributor for the UK and Ireland, announcing the start of a deal to import the ‘front’-engined AOS Grand Toro and rear-engined Visigo midicoaches. Following feedback from operators and a process of continuous improvement, the manufacturer has made some refinements to the Grand Toro, and EVM invited CBW back to its premises near Horsham in West Sussex to see the revised and updated model, which features a host of subtle upgrades designed to make it more appealing to operator, driver and passengers alike.

At the time of its UK launch, the Grand Toro was a new model to the Anadolu Isuzu line-up, so there’s no surprise that some improvements have been made as a result of feedback and operating experience. It’s a model which has found favour with companies across the country seeking that elusive replacement for the erstwhile Plaxton Cheetah in the 28 to 33-seat ballpark, including Welsh municipal Newport Transport as part of its private hire fleet, and a number of operators specialising in small group tours to locations such as the Scottish Highlands. It’s a model which has helped EVM UK grow from its van-based minibus roots, and which gives those operators who need it much more flexibility in little more space than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based alternative.

To find out more about what’s changed, we headed south to have a chat with EVM UK Managing Director Danny McGee. We started off over a mug of tea in the company’s current showroom and office space, where Danny also took the time to explain to me the plans for expansion into a new, much larger, and purpose-built facility in Billinghurst during 2025. With four PDI technicians already working at the current site preparing new vehicles for delivery, the new facility will have much more space, three acres in fact, and ample room to house a workforce which has trebled in the last year; more of that in a future issue, though. For now, our attention will turn towards the Grand Toro.

Naturally, those attending Euro Bus Expo next week will be able to take a closer look at this and many other models from EVM. In fact, the show marks the second anniversary of the model’s launch, and the company still believes the 8.5-metre vehicle represents a compelling offer in the 33 to 37-seat segment. In fact, as Danny explained, despite Isuzu’s highly standardised production lines, which roll out seven Grand Toros per day, there is some variation in interior layout possible, giving options of 37 seats, 35 seats plus courier, 31 plus courier with two saloon tables, or 31 plus courier with four saloon tables. In 35-seat format, the model is also available as either PSVAR-ready, or to full PSVAR specification, and a fridge can be added if requested. Despite the production-line nature of its assembly, it’s quite a flexible little bus, from a manufacturer very different to others which EVM is used to working with. The vehicles are delivered from the company’s large commercial vehicle plant in Turkey.