New Tempo SR

[starrymarkb]

http://www.optare.com/pr_05_10_11_B.htm

Not sure - looks ugly from the back

 

[anthony263]

Looks okish. I dont like the solo sr though, ruined a nice design

 

[WestCoast]

Optare used to be the last word in bus styling, I am not sure anymore.

 

[T163R]

It's quite nice, actually...

 

[Goldfish62]

It's quite nice, actually...

They'll no doubt have p*ss-poor build quality, be delivered late and quickly fall apart.

 

[WestCoast]

It's quite nice, actually...

In your opinion, of course.

Actually, I don't think it's that bad, but Optare used to be more subtle.

 

[T163R]

In your opinion, of course.

Actually, I don't think it's that bad, but Optare used to be more subtle.

I've always found Solos and Versas were ugly...
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They'll no doubt have p*ss-poor build quality, be delivered late and quickly fall apart.

Exacly !

 

[WestCoast]

I've always found Solos and Versas were ugly..

I don't share that opinion. Ever seen a Mercedes/Alexander minibus?

 

[90019]

It's a vast improvement on the Tempo, at least.

 

[trentside]

A well looked after Tempo can be a decent runner and a nice bus to ride on. The internal layout is good, but as with most modern designs the engine in the back isn't big enough. The old design is simple, which I like - nothing too flashy. What Optare used to be good at.

I'll reserve judgement on the new design until I've seen it in the flesh.

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Just found a photo of the real thing;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcbp/6215284878/in/photostream/

Seems a certain bus company are having a bit of an image change...

 

[185]

Imagine paying the cost of a new windscreen for that

 

[anthony263]

Cant be any worse the wright Streelite. We had a demostrator, horrible thing to drive. I much prefer the enviro 200 dart or the classic solo

 

[tbone]

New bus, new livery, new logo, new route name, new interior, Trent Baron have got a great looking bus here in my opinion!

 

[BestWestern]

I'd say this is is quite a smart motor, though I prefer the flatter front end of the current Tempo with it's nice chromed light clusters.

I think there's a lot of credit due to the boys at Optare. It's unfortunate that they retain their reputation for shaky build quality, as I personally feel that many of their products, past and present, are spot on in the design stakes. I never cease to be impressed by the superb Spectra double deck, which had so much more presence than any of it's competitors, and was truly an excellent bit of design. If only it hadn't been restricted to the obscure DAF chassis. The Delta was also a very smart motor, and again was way ahead of it's stablemates in terms of modern design; Leyland Lynx anyone?!

The Solo was revolutionary and still looks cutting edge today, while the SR compliments it with the option of a fresher look. They do rattle rather a lot, which isn't ideal, but they're a much nicer drive IMO than a Dart or a Merc mini. The fact that a little firm like Optare could develop and market something which completely shook up the market, whilst Dennis struggled with their awkawrd Dart MPD and the big boy Volvo couldn't even match the standard Dart with anything decent, says a lot about their abilities, whatever the minor niggles might be.

 

[Schnellzug]

I think they do seem to have become a bit generic, but on the other hand they haven't gone down the road of Wright in terms of gimmcky styling, for which we should be grateful. Certainly, like just the other day, there was an R reg and a 58 reg Solo standing next to each other, and there certainly didn't look anything like that difference in age. Though they were always a bit disappointing in rattliness and ride quality, though, if anyone wanted to ask my opinion.

I never cease to be impressed by the superb Spectra double deck, which had so much more presence than any of it's competitors, and was truly an excellent bit of design. If only it hadn't been restricted to the obscure DAF chassis.

Not that there seemed to be anything wrong with the DAF; it's still one of the fastest doubel deckers you can find, and one of the best riding. (though the low floor version seemed a bit more creaky.)

 

[trentside]

Not that there seemed to be anything wrong with the DAF; it's still one of the fastest doubel deckers you can find, and one of the best riding. (though the low floor version seemed a bit more creaky.)

I believe that the DAF DB250 chassis is also the most fuel efficient of the early low-floor double deck chassis. The DB250 and Spectra were a direct descendant of the MCW Metrobus, the rights to which were purchased by Optare along with the MetroRider - an often underrated Optare product.

Opinions on the Optare Solo seem split down the middle. Some find them a nightmare to maintain and drive, while others love them. None the less, the Solo has been a market leader for years, I think only strengthened by the demise of the original Dart SLF chassis. It's first serious threat has come in the form of the Streetlite - which is also going after some of the Versa market too. I know of several Optare customers (some of many years standing) who have already taken delivery of the Streetlite.

One observation, I find the Optare Solo SR seems to address some of the build quality issues of the original Solo. The first demonstrator (Chassis No1) now resides with a local independent company, and is a lovely bus.

 

[Blindtraveler]

wonder how long it wil take a scottish opperater to get one? for me, anything beats a solo.

 

[anthony263]

wonder how long it wil take a scottish opperater to get one? for me, anything beats a solo.

You will be in for a shock with the streetlite. I had a ride on the demonstrator when it was with Newport bus, horrible thing, even the driver as well as a few other have commeted that the drivers cab is terrible.

The front setas around the wheelchair space are ok but the back seats are too cramped and thin as well as being too hard.

As for the optare solo's most of the ones I drove were great all except for 1which had the most terrible ride quality despite being only 14 months old when it was transfered down to penclawdd.

 

[gingerheid]

I suspect they've got it right, because they always do. They always seem to produce something that looks a bit funny and too futuristic when it's new, but that in time looks 5-7 years younger than it is, because it takes that length of time for the new buses around it to catch up. The Spectra is a wonderful example - you look at the reg plates on them and think they must be personalised, because a bus with that style doesn't look like it could be that old.

 

[Blindtraveler]

the streatlite does sound bad, its to be
hoped nobody round here gets a load and tries to use them on country runs etc