IC Bus CE Series - riding in style

© media.navistar.comIf it ain't broke, don't fix it - American school buses look pretty much the same today as they did 40, 50 and 60 years ago

You've seen one US school bus, you've seen them all, so let's focus on the powerplant instead. Like everything stateside, the engine is big – it's an 8,8-litre PSI (Power Solutions International) heavy-duty autogas unit that replaces commonly used diesels. Compared to them, it's cleaner, cheaper to run and maintain and significantly quieter, yet makes no sacrifices as far as performance and durability are concerned. In fact, the engine has been designed to offer diesel-like characteristics, with maximum torque available at low RPM for improved drivability and more efficient hill-climbing capability.

According to IC Bus, the LPG engine works great when paired with start/stop systems, offering immediate acceleration after restart with reduced noise, heat and vibration. Maintenance, although it is required less often than on diesel equivalents, is made easy thanks to a three-piece engine bonnet and an exterior electrical panel. The CE Series buses are also said to be unmatched in terms of student safety – the vehicles feature the Leave No Student Behind system which includes an alarm that must be disabled by the driver at the rear of the cabin, thus making sure there is no-one left. So, the next time we find ourselves writing about new LPG-powered buses being delivered somewhere in the US, we may actually stumble upon IC Bus' products...