The Allison T525R gearbox when fitted to the Van Hool coach range has found favour with operator Sharpes of Nottingham, which will take delivery of a T17 Astron later this summer equipped with that unit. It follows success with the automatic transmission in an earlier TDX21 Altano (pictured).
The T17 Astron will be the first coach to be supplied to Sharpes by VDL Van Hool following takeover of parts of the Van Hool business by VDL in 2024.
It will come with the T525R six-speed unit with integral retarder and sixth-generation electronic controls for improved performance and diagnostic and prognostic functions. Drive will be taken from a 12.9-litre DAF MX-13 engine.
Good experience with the Allison product for Sharpes came quickly in the earlier Van Hool TDX21 Altano. That coach is utilised on work including the transport of a League Two football team, and when combined with the imminent T17 Astron continues a long involvement with Van Hool by the operator.
“The premium luxury Van Hool coaches are considered to be relatively expensive by some, but in our opinion, they are the best you can buy,” says Managing Director Neil Sharpe.
“When we bought the TDX21 Altano, we were aware that it came with the Allison transmission. We were used to the automated manual transmission that comes as standard. But we found that the fully-automatic was a game-changer. Those are the exact words used by our drivers.
“The Allison transmission is incredibly responsive, quiet, and smooth – almost like driving an electric bus. When we talked to other coach operators about our experience, the sentiment was echoed, along with positive comments about the reliability, which the coach is living up to every day.”
Opting for Allison in the T17 Astron was thus “an easy decision,” Mr Sharpe continues. “In a normal year, we will purchase one or two new coaches, and we plan to stick with Allison transmissions from now on. You get what you pay for. The Allison adds class and finesse to something that is already a quality product.”
