(13 Aug 2020, 7:07 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The interiors do as well, I think anyway.
The tables look like an afterthought on the E400s but they just seem to fit the StreetDecks. The tables on the StreetDecks also look a lot higher quality (and assuming they're the same as the current ones, they feel it as well).
Spec wise, they seem more upmarket as well
The StreetDecks have stop buttons at the tables, the E400s don't
The StreetDecks also have 240V sockets at the tables, the E400s don't.
The StreetDecks look to have wireless charging at every seat, the E400s don't (although the tables only have one, compared to 2 on the E400s)
I think the Esteban V3 seats look a lot nicer than the Kiel seats, primarily because the headrest is a separate piece, but also the designs seems to fit better. The headrest section on the Kiels always looked a bit too big.
Plus, I personally find the V3 seats more comfortable for longer journeys, but that's a personal preference.
Then there's the feel, as we've discussed before, if past experiences are anything to go by, the StreetDecks will feel a lot more solid inside.
I have to agree with you, the Gemini is such a well designed and nice-looking body, it was definitely designed with the passenger, driver and operator in mind. The driving position is great, the cab aircon is spot on, the headlights are a level whereby you don't blind the driver in front of you, the interior is very nice feeling too, none of these glossy looking plastics and proper air con too. I could go on. But the Gemini 3 is definitely the best body on the market hands down.
I've always said the Enviro is a posh toilet. I believe MG and Alex Hornby are known to one another and it will be interesting to see if Martijn feeds back performance of the new Streetdecks to him and whether it influences future orders for Transdev.