World's first 'Super Bus'

World's first 'Super Bus'

This is one bus that won't pull up at your local bus stop.

It is the world's first super bus, crafted with state-of-the-art materials which seats 23 passengers and has a top speed of 250kmh.

Developed in Holland by an astronaut and a former Formula One aerodynamics expert, the midnight-blue, electric-powered vehicle costs 7million (RM34.48 million) and was flown to the United Arab Emirates where it will be used by a sheikh.

The hi-tech bus means he will be able to complete the 120.7km commute from Dubai to neighbouring Abu Dhabi in under 30 minutes.

The super bus is made of lightweight materials including aluminium, carbon fibre, fibreglass and polycarbonate

Made of lightweight materials including aluminium, carbon fibre, fibreglass and polycarbonate, 15 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 1.65 metres high.

Passengers will be able to enjoy comfort equal to that of a luxury limousine or private jet. The super bus has eight gullwing-style doors on each side to allow for a swift exit.

It has been developed at the Delft University of Technology in Holland under the direction of Professor Wubbo Ockels who in 1985 became the first Dutchman in space when he was part of the team on board the space shuttle Challenger.

The super bus has eight gullwing-style doors on each side to allow for a swift exit

The project was backed by the Dutch government, American chemicals company Dow and the Saudi conglomerate Sabic.The first commercial interest came from the UAE where the super bus was flown in a jumbo jet.

It was tested for the first time on ordinary roads around Abu Dhabi Airport, its batteries fired up by solar power.

The wealthy owner of the super bus plans to t! ravel on normal roads and at normal speeds in the region while it picks up passengers in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

However once it leaves the city, the vehicle is able to switch to a dedicated concrete track which runs parallel to the motorway and accelerate to a cruising speed of around 150mph.

As it approaches its destination, it would slow down once againto rejoin the ordinary road network.
Source: Daily Mail, UK

Published Oct 5 2011