Optare Alero should not be confused with Oldsmobile Alero.
| Optare Alero | |
| Production: | 2001-2008 |
| Capacity: | 16 seated[1] |
| Operator: | Merseytravel and others |
| Length: | 7.2 metres |
| Width: | 2.0 metres |
| Height: | 2.5 metres |
| Doors: | 1 (double) front door, 1 emergency rear door |
| Weight: | 5600Kg MVW |
| Chassis: | Stainless Steel Chassis / cage |
| Engine: | Iveco 2.8TD |
| Transmission: | 6M / 3A |
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.
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.
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.
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.[2] In 2008, the Alero was discontinued after the production run of around 300 units.
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 often 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. Obviously, at over 3500Kg, you need the correct licence category to drive one.