September 8, 2014, Deposit, N.Y. – This week, IC Bus, LLC announced that a new purpose-built CE Series school bus powered by propane will be available in 2015. The new CE Series bus option, with an 8.8-liter LP propane Power Solutions International (PSI) Engine, will complement Leonard Bus Sales’ existing line of energy efficient, clean diesel school buses built by IC Bus.
Leonard Bus Sales CEO Mike Leonard said, “We already carry the broadest range of clean-diesel engine options in the industry. Now, our customers will also have a propane powered option, complete with the award winning support they’ve come to expect from the Leonard Bus Sales team.”
More information about the IC Bus announcement can be found in the press release below:
IC BUS ADDS PURPOSE-BUILT PROPANE SCHOOL BUS OFFERING
CE Series school bus pairs PSI 8.8-liter propane engine and Allison transmission to maximize power, torque, durability and efficiency
LISLE, Ill. (September 2, 2014) – IC Bus, LLC today announced it will offer its IC Bus™ CE Series school bus powered by the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter LP propane engine for the 2015 school year. Purpose-built for the school bus industry, the CE Series with PSI propane engine is designed to provide diesel-like performance with higher torque at lower engine speeds.
“Our customers asked for a better propane fuel choice for the market and we answered,” said John McKinney, president, IC Bus. “Our IC Bus CE Series with PSI’s 8.8-liter LP engine will be the first school bus specifically engineered to run on propane without sacrificing power, performance or durability.”
The PSI 8.8-liter engine is engineered to deliver the highest torque at the lowest speed. With a rating of 565 lb-ft at 1500 rpm, the high torque-low speed design greatly benefits stop-and-start applications to allow immediate acceleration after stops and greater hill climbing capability. This not only improves startability and gradability, but also eliminates excessive noise, heat and vibration associated with constant engine revving. Minimal revving reduces engine wear, oil usage and maintenance, while increasing durability and efficiency.
“Until now, the propane vehicle market had been supported by underpowered engines that are required to run at high-speeds to get the required power,” said Gary Winemaster, chairman and chief executive officer, PSI. “The PSI 8.8-liter engine is an economic, low-speed solution that boasts diesel-like performance, high durability, reduced noise and overall wear with all the benefits of alternative fuels.”
The CE Series school bus powered by propane also integrates the Allison 2500 transmission with FuelSense® to maximize fuel economy.
IC Bus will manufacture CE Series school buses with propane out of its school bus assembly plant in Tulsa, Okla. Deliveries will begin in summer 2015 and buses will go into service for the start of the 2015/2016 school year. The CE Series will also be on display at this year’s National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Annual Summit in Kansas City, Mo., November 8 –11.
IC Bus has earned its reputation for uptime through the strength of its dealer network, along with its parts distribution, after-sales and training support services. In addition to its 290 IC Bus service and support locations, the company’s school buses are also supported by more than 750 International truck locations.
About Power Solutions International
Power Solutions International, Inc. (PSI) is a leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of emissions-certified, alternative-fuel power systems. PSI provides integrated turnkey solutions to leading global original equipment manufacturers in the industrial and on-road markets. The company’s unique in-house design, prototyping, engineering and testing capabilities allows PSI to customize clean, high-performance engines that run on a wide variety of fuels, including natural gas, propane, biogas, diesel and gasoline.
About IC Bus
IC Bus, LLC of Lisle, Ill., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). The nation’s largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus™ buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at www.icbus.com.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, and IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. The International® ProStar® with Cummins ISX15 and International® TerraStar® 4×4 were named 2014 heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial truck of the year, respectively, by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) association. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.
Leonard Bus Sales, Inc. is owned and operated by the Leonard family, a recognized leader in the distribution and support of quality, environmentally-friendly school and commercial buses. A third generation family-owned business, Leonard Bus Sales has nearly 50 years of experience providing cost-saving fleet management and award-winning customer support. Leonard Bus Sales is a leading-distributor of IC BusTM brand buses in Upstate New York. The company also distributes Type-A school and commercial buses from Trans Tech throughout New York and Type-A commercial buses from Champion Bus in Upstate New York. The company is headquartered in Deposit, NY and operates four full-service facilities in Bergen, Rome, Saratoga Springs and a Trans Tech Type-A facility in Garden City Park, N.Y. — www.leonardbus.com.
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