Tuesday, October 4, 2011

SMRT Buses : MAN NL323F A22 Production Batch / Gemilang (MAN Lion's City Hybrid) (Production batch)

>> Do read here for the preview and writeup of the exterior of the new MAN A22, SMB189A last month.

SMB191S, the other bus registered.
On the handover day on 1st Oct 2011 from MAN to SMRT Buses, 2 buses were brought in, Of the two buses, SMB191S was newly registered the day before the launch.
The launch poster, featuring the Lion mascot.
A paper replica of the MAN NL3232F A22 for the guests.

With the purchase of 200 MAN A22 buses, it marks an exciting first for Singapore's public transport that MAN public buses will be widely used by a public transport operator. For the launch, both buses sport a full body advertisement promoting the features of the MAN A22.
SMRT Buses : "Bringing you a new travel experience!"

Given that the bodywork is based on the Lion's City Hybrid, it's also the basis for the Lion mascot. The Lion's City in the Lion City, Singapore!
SMB191S exiting Hort Park after the launch.

The rear with advertisement. The tail lamps components uses LED, enhancing visibility.

A first for SMRT Buses, the MAN NL323F A22 are equipped with Alcoa rims with rimguards. Very stylish!

Alcoa rims!

The layout of the production MAN A22 buses and SMB138Y is very similar. Therefore we recommend to read SMB138Y's writeup to compliment this article

INTERIOR

Gemilang-designed components

The design of the driver cabin is brought over from SMB138Y

Welcome Aboard SMRT!
The similar driving cab.

The interior layout is identical to SMB138Y. You can see what's behind the bus with the rear window in the production batch. The middle bus stopping bell is retained for visiblity for the rear half of the passenger cabin.
Interior of SMB189A

The Mobitec electronic display signage (EDS) signage on the production MAN buses have a new longer side EDS signage, replacing the traditional number only display and allowing for the display of route number & route details on the side.

The new long Mobitec side EDS

There is a new EDS formatting that is justified to the left, allowing for more space to show the places passing by in a longer name rather than abbreviations (varies by route details).

The aircon filter is a flat filter intake on the roof, while aircon outlets are not the adjustable types found on the OC500LE and SMB138Y.

The Denso aircon filter is flat, and not the design found on SMB138Y, which protrudes (rather uglily) into the passenger cabin.
The aircon outlet is non-adjustable.

Unlike SMB138Y, there is no wifi/LG advertisement TV fitted.

No mobile advertising/wifi installed.
Like the demo, there is an exta foldable seat at the wheelchair bay.

The door closing system.
The exit door system is sliding plug door like SMB138Y, though it looks like a different model of the door system.

Exterior view.
A GIF by SMRT Buses on the door opening and closing.

A minor difference in the rear half of SMB189A and the rest of the production batch, as SMB189A was a production interior demonstrator.

  
SMB189A's rear half has a step leading to the rear row of seats. "BEWARE OF STEPS"

Feedbacks saw the step removed and the rear gently sloped up to the rear row of seats from SMB190U onwards. Also there is a headrest on innermost right seat in the second last row.

Gentle slope replaces the step for the other 199 MAN production buses.

On the morning of 3rd Oct 2011, SMB189A debuted on 963E, and in the evening, it did 963.
On 963E in the morning towards Harbourfront
On 963 at night towards Woodlands Interchange.

For more information on the new MAN A22, do check out this webpage by SMRT: http://smrt.com.sg/manbus/