Wright Eclipse Fusion Explained

Wright Eclipse Fusion
Manufacturer:Wrightbus
Production:1999–2005
Assembly:Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Length:17.95 m
Width:2.50 m
Height:3.00 m
Floortype:Low floor
Doors:2 or 3
Chassis:Volvo B7LA
Related:Wright Eclipse
Engine:Volvo D7C
Transmission:ZF Friedrichshafen
Predecessor:Wright Fusion
Successor:Wright StreetCar

The Wright Eclipse Fusion was a low floor articulated single-decker bus body built on the Volvo B7LA chassis by Wrightbus. It was the articulated version of the Wright Eclipse, succeeding the Wright Fusion.

Of the 88 produced, the FirstGroup took delivery of 67 Wright Eclipse Fusions between 2000 and 2005, with the majority entering service with First Aberdeen, First West of England for services in Bath and First West Yorkshire for services in Bradford, with smaller fleets delivered to First Hampshire & Dorset and First Glasgow.[1] The other 21 Fusions were delivered to Dublin Bus in 2000.[2]

In October 2001, two Wright Eclipse Fusions were sent from First Hampshire & Dorset to First London's Greenford garage to operate a six-month trial on route 207. One was painted into First London's fleet livery during this period. No orders resulted from the trial and the Fusions were returned a year later.[3]

The FirstGroup would later partner with Wrightbus in developing the Wright StreetCar, which is built on a modified version of the chassis used for the Eclipse Fusion. Most of the Eclipse Fusions are similar in appearance to its Wrightbus single deckers with the arched roof.

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Notes and References

  1. News: . 9 July 2004 . Massive two-year order for First . dead . Bus & Coach Professional . https://web.archive.org/web/20071020210916/http://www.busandcoach.com/newsstory.aspx?id=445 . 20 October 2007 . 14 April 2022.
  2. News: . 16 May 2000 . Ballymena's new people carrier . Belfast Telegraph . 6 December 2023.
  3. Book: Wharmby, Matthew. The London Bendy Bus. 6 December 2023. 2016. Pen & Sword Transport. 978-1-78383-172-2. 8-11.