(24 Jun 2014, 4:52 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Looks nice but the E400 MMC is the only suitable double deck offering as far as I'm concerned for anything outside London and with the R&D that ADL put into it and with the exception of the likes of Coast Castles, X93 and TTX, a well fitted and set up Cummins 6.7 unit combined with new bodywork and electrics will deliver good reliability if well looked after. Sorry but a 5 litre engine is absolutely no good. ADL could even introduce a B8TL chassis at somepoint when Mr Souter is looking to replace his N230UD versions for long and demanding routes. It looks good and could give the B5TL / Gemini 3 a good run for it's money but for normal suburban and mid range interurban work double deck work, the MMC wins hands down. Sorry but unless Optare either insert and to a high standard fit at least a Cummins 6.7 unit, they've got no chance of any orders.

BIB: prey tell how are ADL going to introduce a B8TL chassis when Volvo do the B-TL!? Face facts Davey, there will be no B8TL in the style of the B5TL - because it would mean taking more weight out of the chassis to fit the 8 litre engine and retain the weight saving, plus the cost to do so will likely outweight the orders for it (and before you bang on - First and Stagecoach are now set on E400s, Arriva are likewise going so, Go Ahead are taking the first E400MMC for Oxford and notice that the only real independent taking Volvos has been Delaine)