Impressed by Barbi

Gareth Evans test drives a Barbi Galileo HDL-bodied MAN operated by West London-based coach operator Windsorian and also gains first-hand feedback from the firm

Launched in the UK at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC in 2014 with a left-hand drive vehicle, Italian-made Barbi coaches are sold in the British Isles by Leyland-based BASE Coaches Sales.

The inaugural pair of right-hand drive Barbis entered service in 2015 with Scottish operator Jamiesons, which took a 10.3m 43-seater and BASE’s own Holmeswood fleet, which had a 13.8m 61-seater executive with wheelchair lift.

 

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According to BASE, 17 Barbi coaches are now registered on UK roads. Other operators include Timberbush Tours, Steels and Anthony’s Travel. Another respected name joined the ‘Barbi family’ of UK operators this year – London-based Anderson Travel, which had its example exhibited at the 2017 UK Coach Rally by BASE. Another Barbi for sister operation Windsorian was displayed at the Coach & Bus UK show at the NEC last month. This vehicle was kindly made available for CBW to test drive in early November.

Barbi orders confirmed for 2018 include a 13.8m 65-seater exec for Holmeswood, a 10.8m 47-seater for Jamiesons and a 53-seater 12.4m example for stock or demo. An existing operator of the type has also ordered a 12.4m 49-seater – details will be announced in due course.

Asked about availability, Mick Boniface, Aftermarket Manager replied: “We’ve got one stock vehicle which will be finished in the next week or so and another is in-build. Therefore, by later this year or early 2018, we will have two stock vehicles.”

As for lead time, Mick said: “From start to finish, it’s typically 16 weeks for a 53 seater exec. Depending on the specification, the period could go up as well as down. All Barbi coaches are hand-built, so the process takes time.”

“A 53-seater exec retails for £260,000. We are happy to discuss options for a demonstrator for serious enquiries.”

Specification

The 12.4m Galileo HDL is built on MAN’s RR2 Euro 6c chassis, which is powered by a 10.4-litre MAN D20 engine, generating 420bhp.

A two-year manufacturer’s body warranty is provided and an optional three or four-year chassis warranty is available.

Among the more distinctive parts of the Galileo are its lower front and rear panels. Both are one-piece and incorporate the light clusters, and they lift parallel with the coach.

That gives excellent access, particularly to the engine as the panel curves around the side. Similarly at the front, the screen wash, which is located on the offside, can be topped up with ease. The spare wheel is also located at the front end.

Helpfully, the 480-litre fuel tank can be filled on both sides.

LED lighting is provided throughout – reducing the risk of defects. The headlamps are original MAN truck lamps, which some operators may see as useful when it comes to obtaining spares.

The powered parallel opening system luggage lockers are also lit with LEDs. On that note, there is room to stow cleaning equipment and so on in the locker which is located to the front of the engine and to the rear of the back axle on the nearside.

Passenger area

Entry to the coach is pleasant – it looks clean and contemporary. Four nicely spaced steps lead to the platform alongside the driver, followed by a further two to the sunken gangway.

A handrail is fitted to the dash, but I would have preferred a handle on the underside of the courier seat base as almost inevitably passengers will instead place their hand on the courier seat to support themselves. The courier seat itself is comfortable.

The main saloon is equipped with 53 Kiel SLIM Avance 1020 reclining seats. Every bit as comfortable as they look, the seats are trimmed with Kneitz fabric, Ultrafrabrics side panels and E-Leather piping and headrest. In addition to two-point belts, there are two handles on seatbacks, footrests, magazine nets and seatback tables, with a hole in each for a cup.

Seats are fixed to the edge of the aisle – creating a clutter-free area underneath, aiding cleaning of the contemporary laminate-style vinyl flooring.

The windowsill is a comfortable height and the large double-glazed windows, which are equipped with curtains, allow passengers to soak up the sights outside. The service sets on the overhead racks are functional, yet look smart and contemporary. They provide individual air-conditioning outlets and LED reading lights.

On the day of CBW’s drive, the 32kW air-conditioning system proved to be highly responsive. Climate control is aided by a convection heating system – radiators are fitted down the sides of the coach.

This coach was also equipped with an optional centre sunken WC, with a hot drinks unit over the top and a sleek bin on the aisle side, allowing used tea bags and so on to be dropped almost straight in. A 60-litre fridge could be found in the dash. Five steps lead down to the centre sunken toilet and continental door.

Entertainment is provided by a Pioneer system with two TFT LCD screens – a 19-inch at the front and a smaller 15-inch above the continental door.

Behind the wheel

The location of the controls will be instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with MANs – they’re pretty intuitive and comfortable to use too. If I’m brutally honest however, the handbrake is not best placed for me – it’s located on the right slightly under the binnacle. I would prefer it either on the binnacle or on the window ledge – though I acknowledge that might be a matter of personal preference.

The heated pneumatic Isringhausen driver’s seat is fitted with a three-point belt and adjustable armrests. In addition to a separate air-conditioning system, there is a heated driver’s window, a heated windscreen and powered sunblind.

The appearance of the binnacle and dash area has been enhanced with a wood effect finish. The accessory panel to the left of the steering wheel includes the screen for the reversing camera, digital tachograph and radio/ CD / DVD player and USB socket.

Gear selection is via a rotary switch to the left of the steering wheel. Coupled to the ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox, power is delivered efficiently and smoothly – the coach is soon on its way with seemingly minimal effort. A smooth drive is easy to achieve.

The coach manoeuvred with ease through the congestion near Heathrow and past big cars that were sticking out from bays in Windsor, which meant my lane was extra narrow. However, I felt comfortable and confident handling it – helped by the good driving position and visibility provided by the mirrors. The coach held its own on the M25 – no corrective action was required and no wind noise was apparent. I momentarily tested the lane guard – it worked.

The coach could be slowed down smoothly too. There are disc brakes all-round, as well as a ZF intarder and EBS (braking system). Ride quality is excellent – helped no doubt by the Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) and independent front suspension.

Mick highlighted a useful feature: “Another good feature on MANs is you can’t physically drain batteries. When it reaches a certain level, it will switch off.”

Overall, I enjoyed my drive of the Barbi. Such was its comfort that I felt like I’d driven one before, even though I had not.

I must say that I was impressed with the comfortable interior too – and the low noise volume also helped to create a pleasant environment.

Operator verdict

Part of Anderson Travel Group, London Mini Coaches (LMC) and Windsorian coaches is based in the shadow of Heathrow Airport at Hounslow. Conveniently located, the business is well-placed to take care of the transport needs of in-coming groups of tourists.

Asked for his verdict, David Phillips, Director at LMC and Windsorian Coaches said: “The ride quality is very good, especially at the front – the benefits of independent front suspension are all-too clear.

“So far the passenger feedback has been entirely positive. This coach is allocated to one driver. It’s being used on incoming tourist work, private school contracts and tours of London.

“Luggage capacity is excellent. I carried 53 Americans with all their luggage carefully loaded. The handling of the coach was no different fully laden to what it was empty – its performance was that good. In my opinion, 420bhp is plenty of power. It does 12 – 1,500 revs at 100kmh. It seems to be well set up – it runs in top gear all the way, even up the steep hill from Gatwick Airport. The drivetrain is very good.

“Mirrors are good, but as a personal preference, I would like a wide angle on the offside. That’s the only thing I would pick up on. Overall, the mirrors are good.

“We don’t have any fuel economy data yet because it’s still early days. However, it is clear the coach does not need to be pushed too hard.”

As for the controls, David enthused: “I must say it’s brilliant that BASE supplies laminated crib sheets in colour – it’s a great plus point. I wish more manufacturers/ dealers would offer this. It’s a godsend – an invaluable aid to drivers. The switches are quite logical for what you need to use them too.

“Central locking is a great help too. It gives drivers peace of mind that the coach is all locked up. Helpfully too, the lockers are all on the same key, including the engine bay. There’s no messing about.”

Highlighting another feature of the coach, David added: “I like the interior lights, especially the night lighting as it makes the coach inviting.”

David quipped: “The only feature I would like to see on new coaches is self-cleaning…”

Commenting on the additional features specified by Windsorian, David said:

“We’ve had CCTV by Autosound Actia fitted at BASE’s Leyland premises prior to despatch. The system has been very good for us.”

Asked why the Barbi was chosen, David replied: “Mark Anderson had a demonstrator for a week at Anderson Travel. Drivers were impressed with the luggage capacity, so their feedback was firmly taken into consideration. It was also found that the vehicle’s dimensions are just right for London – especially when it comes to negotiating street furniture.

A wheelbase of 6m is as long as we want to go. We’ve run longer vehicles in the past, but we found we were going through tyres due to sidewall damage.”

David concluded: “Over all, it’s a good package – scoring highly on luggage capacity, legroom and maneuverability.”[/wlm_ismember]
Why not watch our short video, which gives you a grand tour of the Barbi Galileo HDL-bodied MAN.