Autobus Futura byl představen na začátku září 1982 - je mu tedy právě 25 let. Takovým unikátním výkonem se v autobusovém světě nemůže pochlubit žádný jiný model. Chatrakteristické rysy Futury jsou rozeznatelné teď jako v roce 1982.

Solidnost, spolehlivost a pohodlí kombinované s velkou zůstatkovou hodnotou velkou měrou přispělo k dobré reputaci, kterou si Futura léta budovala. V září opustí továrnu již 9500. Futura - takové množství u jednoho modelu je také unikátní.

Jubilejní Futura 9500 bude vystavena v expozici VDL Bus & Coach na veletrhu Busworld 2007 v belgickém Kortrijku - dvounápravová FHD 127 (12.7 m)

V půběhu 25 let bylo vyrobeno 6700 vozů 12 m, 500 vozů 10 m, 1750 vozů 12.7 a 550 modelů Magnum. Prodeje se realizovaly nejvíce v západní Evropě, ale i v Austrálii, Číně i Peru. Ojeté Futury jezdí napříč Evropou i v částech Afriky.

Z historie

• Futura FH (high) a FL (low) představeny v roce 1982.
• V roce 1986 byla Futura zvolena jako Coach of the Year.
• Také v roce 1986 byl postaven model Jumbo Camper pro OAD (stále v provozu)
• 1994: třínápravové FHD 15 Magnum s 15 metry následováno 1996 FHD 14 Magnum s 13.6 m.
• 1998: 100. Futura Magnum, 1999: 5000. Futura a 2003: 500. Futura nad 12 m.
• 2004: 7500. Futura a 2005 1000. Futura FHD 127.

Poslední facelift zaznamenala Futura v roce 2006. Spolu s uvedením motorů EURO 4 a 5 se měnil interiér i exteriér. Letos se představí Futura FLD 104 s novou délkou 10.4 m. Všechny Futury budou vybaveny EBS (Electronic Brake System) s volitelným systémem ESC (Electronic Stability Control).

Neodpustíme si ocitovat z BUSportálu: Na našich silnicích, u našich dopravců i u řidičů získala velkou popularitu lehounká a dobře ovladatelná VDL BOVA Futura. Autobus s velkou tradicí zůstává na trhu a je vylepšován právě díky neutuchajícím sympatiím zákazníků. Je to možná k nelibosti zaměstnanců VDL BOVA, protože stavba Futury systémem "vosího hnízda" je náročná především na ně. Viz také se spoustou obrázků: Černý kůň z Nizozemí - autobusy VDL BOVA .... S výrobky VDL Bus & Coach jsme se potkali i letos na prezentaci v Protivíně.

Z TZ VDL Bus & Coach bv, Eindhoven, 31.8.2007, překlad BUSportál, kráceno. Celé v EN.

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25 years of Futura

The Futura was introduced on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of September 1982, which means that it is 25 years old. A unique achievement in the coach world to which no other model even comes close. The characteristic design of the Futura is just as recognisable now as it was in 1982.

Its solidity, reliability and comfort combined with a high residual value have greatly contributed to the good reputation which the Futura has built up over the years. Parts for each year’s model are still readily available and this has meant that there are even Futura’s driving around which date from the very beginning. The sales figures continue at a high level. In September 2007 the 9,500th Futura will leave the factory. That, too, is unique. It is seldom that so many of a single model are produced.

On the VDL Bus & Coach stand at Busworld 2007 the 9,500th Futura will be on display, a 2-axle FHD 127 with a length of 12.7 metres.

9,500 Futura’s placed one in front of the other would stretch for 115 km. One long row from Eindhoven to Amsterdam, exactly the distance from the PSV stadium to the Ajax Arena. A conservative estimate would be that these Futura’s have covered about 10 billion kilometres in 25 years. And that means 230,000 times around the Earth!

In 25 years, a total of 6,700 Futura’s with a length of 12 metres have been produced, 500 with a length of 10 metres, 1,750 with a length of 12.7 metres and 550 Magnums. Now, 60% of the production volume of Futura’s is longer than 12 metres.

Sales of new Futura’s are primarily in Western Europe but new Futura’s are also being delivered in Australia, China and Peru. Used Futura’s are much sought after throughout Europe and in parts of Africa.

Some history

• The Futura FH (high) and FL (low) models were introduced in 1982.
• In 1986, the Futura was voted Coach of the Year.
• The famous Jumbo Camper of the OAD coach company also dates from 1986. This unique Futura is still in use.
• A milestone in the history of the Futura was the registration of the first FHD 15 Magnum, a 3-axle model with a length of 15 metres, in 1994. This was followed in 1996 by the introduction of the FHD 14 Magnum with a length of 13.6 metres.
• Because of the low kerb weight of the Futura it was possible to produce a 2-axle model in 1997 with a length of 12.7 metres, the Futura FHD 127, a coach which offers great versatility. This variant, which has 70 cm extra length, offers 4 extra seats.
• The 100th Futura Magnum was delivered in 1998 and, in 1999, the 5,000th Futura and in 2003 the 500th Futura longer than 12 metres.
• The 7,500th Futura was delivered in 2004 followed by another milestone in 2005 when the 1000th Futura FHD 127 was delivered.

The latest facelift for the Futura was in 2006. The introduction of the Euro 4 and the Euro 5 engines was used to update both the interior and the exterior. This year, the Futura range was expanded with a new length variant, the FLD 104, which has a length of 10.4 metres and all Futura’s will be fitted as standard with EBS (Electronic Brake System) with the option of ESC (Electronic Stability Control).

With this expansion of the range and the modernisation, VDL Bus & Coach has once again emphasised the importance of this classic among coaches which, even after 25 years of production, is still achieving high sales figures.

PR VDL Bus & Coach bv, Eindhoven, 31 August 2007