Optare Alero

The Optare Alero is a low-floor GRP monocoque minibus that was built by Optare between 2001 and 2008. It was built as an alternative to van-derived buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Not to be confused with Oldsmobile Alero.

Optare Alero
Cumfy Bus Optare Alero in Birkenhead in 2007
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
Production2001-2008
Body and chassis
Doors1 (double) front door, 1 emergency rear door
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisStainless Steel Chassis / cage
Powertrain
EngineIveco 2.8TD
Capacity22 seated
Transmission6M / 3A
Dimensions
Length7.2 metres
Width2.2 metres
Height2.5 metres
Curb weight5600Kg MVW
Chronology

Around 300 were built in the first five years of production. The primary markets for the Alero have been community transport groups and rural demand responsive bus routes.

Features

The Alero has a 2.8 litre Iveco turbo diesel engine and a choice of 6 speed manual or automatic ZF transmission. It typically seats between twelve and sixteen passengers, capacity being partly dependent upon whether space is provided for a wheelchair. The destination display box is optional.

Alero Plus

The Alero was relaunched in 2006 as the Alero Plus. The previous torquey and economical 2.8 litre turbo diesel Iveco (from the Daily II range) engine was replaced by the higher-revving 3 litre later Iveco (Daily III) engine with chain-driven cam. The Alero plus had its main battery in the boot, overcoming the nightmare under-bonnet battery access in the original Alero. Various changes and component upgrades have been made in an attempt to overcome reliability and durability issues suffered by the original design.[1] In 2008, the Alero was discontinued after the production run of around 300 units.

Motorhome Conversions

The Alero is sometimes chosen as a base vehicle for conversion to a motorhome. The aspects which suit this use are the low floor, powered doors, plenty of space internally, saloon heating pre-installed (although usually no longer working), much glazing already there which is easier (cheaper) to blank out than it is to fit windows to a van - and most significantly it looks great as a motorhome.

An empty Alero (No seats except the driver's) weighs approx 3600Kg, and most are plated at 5600MGVW, so there is a huge potential payload available during conversion unlike many panel vans. Typical conversion will weigh around 1000Kg approximately, leaving approximately a further ton spare payload.

References
  • Millar, Alan (2007) Bus & Coach Recognition : Ian Allan Ltd., ISBN 0-7110-3136-3
  1. Optare launches upgraded Alero 'Plus' Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 1 June 2006
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