Wright Gemini 2

For the Wright "Gemini 2" bodywork built for Volvo chassis, see Wright Eclipse Gemini 2.
Wright Gemini 2
Arriva London Wright Gemini 2 DL at Clapton Pond in June 2011
Overview
ManufacturerWrightbus
Production2007 - 2013
AssemblyBallymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisVDL DB300
Powertrain
EngineGemini 2 DL:
Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder
Gemini 2 HEV:
Ford Puma
TransmissionGemini 2 DL:
Voith / ZF Friedrichshafen
Dimensions
Length10.4 metres
Width2.52 metres
Height4.23 or 4.40 metres
Chronology
PredecessorWright Pulsar Gemini
Wright Pulsar Gemini HEV
SuccessorWright StreetDeck

The Wright Gemini 2 is a double-decker bus built by Wrightbus between 2008 and 2013. It was announced in December 2007 but was not named until 2008. It was constructed as a semi-integral vehicle, with chassis modules provided by VDL. The bodywork utilised some lighter materials so that the vehicle was lighter than the Eclipse Gemini and Pulsar Gemini bodied buses. It was available in two versions; the Gemini 2 DL diesel-powered version, and the Gemini 2 HEV diesel-electric hybrid version.

In 2014, the Gemini 2 was superseded by the StreetDeck.

Versions

The Gemini 2 was launched in 2007 as the replacement for the Pulsar Gemini and one-off Pulsar Gemini HEV.[1] It was semi-integral, being based on the updated VDL DB300 chassis. The first two were produced with identical bodywork to the original Pulsar Gemini, however, on subsequent production models, the front and rear ends of the body were facelifted to match the Volvo based Eclipse Gemini 2. It was unveiled at the National Exhibition Centre in November 2008, with a First London Gemini 2 HEV appearing at the show.[2][3]

Gemini 2 DL

The Gemini 2 DL was offered with Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder engines with Voith or ZF Friedrichshafen gearboxes. A total of 462 Gemini 2 DLs were built between 2009 and 2013, mainly for Arriva, including 322 for its Arriva London subsidiary. First London and London General were the only other customers, taking four and one respectively.[4][5] A low height version with a flat roof was introduced in 2009 with Arriva North East and Arriva Yorkshire the first customers.[3][6]

Gemini 2 HEV

First London Wright Gemini HEV 2 on Kilburn High Road in May 2009

The Gemini 2 HEV was offered with a Siemens series hybrid drive system with a 2.4 litre 4-cylinder Ford Puma engine for power generation.[7]

Ten Gemini 2 HEVs were built, Arriva London and First London each purchased five for use on routes 141 and 328.[3][4][8][9] Arriva's being sold to Ensignbus and later to Crosville Motor Services for use as open top buses in Weston-super-Mare until its withdrawal in 2017 while First's were transferred to First West of England and First York until their withdrawal in 2023.[10]

References

  1. ^ New integrated Wright double-deck Bus & Coach Professional 13 December 2007
  2. ^ Progressive partnership paves path to whole vehicle type approval Intelligent Transport 3 November 2010
  3. ^ a b c What went wrong? Buses issue 776 November 2019 page 8
  4. ^ a b Wright Gemini 2 Bus Lists on the Web
  5. ^ Fleet News Buses issue 770 May 2019 page 69
  6. ^ Low-height integral bus from Wrightbus Bus & Coach Professional 14 October 2009
  7. ^ Navarro, Xavier. "A hybrid bus that cuts fuel consumption in half". Autoblog. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  8. ^ Competition hots up on hybrids Bus & Coach Professional 21 November 2008
  9. ^ New hybrid buses unveiled for London fleet Transport for London 2 December 2008
  10. ^ "Crosville axes two Weston town services" Buses issue 745 April 2017 page 9

Further reading

Media related to Wright Gemini 2 DL at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Wright Gemini 2 HEV at Wikimedia Commons
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