The MCI J-Series is a model of motorcoach bus produced by Motor Coach Industries (MCI). The bus is primarily used by tour and charter bus operators. It is sold alongside the MCI D-Series bus, primarily used by intercity bus services and public transit operators.
| MCI J-Series | |
|---|---|
 A post-facelift J4500 operating as a Google employee bus | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Motor Coach Industries |
| Production | 2001-present |
| Assembly | Crookston, Minnesota, United States Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Tri-axle coach |
| Body style | Single-decker coach |
| Doors | 1 sedan door, some have 1 wheelchair lift door |
| Floor type | High-floor |
| Chassis | MCI special platform integral |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel Series 60, Detroit Diesel DD13, Caterpillar C12, Caterpillar C13, Cummins ISM, Cummins ISX, Cummins X12 |
| Capacity | Up to 44 (J3500) Up to 60 (J4500) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 35 feet (11 m) (J3500) 45 feet (14 m) (J4500) |
| Width | 102 inches (2.6 m) |
| Height | 141 inches (3.6 m) |
| Curb weight | 42,000 lbs GVWR (J3500) 54,000 lbs GVWR (J4500) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
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The J-Series was introduced in 2001 initially as a mid-range supplement for the D- and E-Series coaches in the MCI coach lineup. It is manufactured at the NFI Group facility in Crookston, Minnesota, United States as well as in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.[1][2]
Development
editBackground
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In 1998, MCI introduced the 102-EL3. Also known as the Renaissance, it was a new coach introduced to compete with the Prevost H-Series. The E-Series featured an all new body (designed by Designworks) and it introduced many new features such as a curved stepwell, a steerable tag axle, electronically controlled air suspension and disc brakes.[3] Due to the rushed development of the E-Series, some of the coach's features were unreliable at the beginning prompting MCI to develop a companion coach model. In 2001, the 102-EL3 was renamed to the E4500 bringing it in line with MCI's new nomenclature for their coaches.
Introduction
editIn 2001, MCI introduced the J-Series at the 2001 UMA Motorcoach Expo. The J-Series retained most of the Designworks designed body from the E-Series but with minor changes. However, many of the new on-board technologies on the E-Series were removed in order to appeal to customers looking for a lower-cost coach with a modern design but with simpler on-board technologies.[4]
Variants
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J4500
editThe J4500 was introduced in 2001 as a model to fill the gap in MCI's product line between the D4500 and E4500. It combined the modern design of the E-Series with the more basic on-board technologies of the D-Series. In 2004, MCI added disc brakes as an option. In 2010, MCI added its "Bendix" suspension system to the J4500, improving handling.[5]
Facelift
editIn 2013, MCI updated the design of the J-Series with re-designed headlights and a more squared off body. As well as changes to the exterior new features were also added in 2013 such as a steerable tag axle. Due to the added features and new design, the E-Series was quietly discontinued. In 2018, the interior was re-designed and luggage lights were added as an option.[5][6]
J4500 CHARGE (battery-electric)
editIn May 2018, MCI announced that its prototype battery-electric J-Series coach (then known as the J4500e) successfully completed phase one of its testing.[7] In 2021, MCI announced the production electric version of the J-Series called the J4500 CHARGE, with the "CHARGE" suffix meaning "Battery-Electric" in NFI Group's nomenclature. The J4500 CHARGE has a range of 200 miles and is powered by Siemens electric motors.[8]
J3500
editThe J3500 was introduced in 2018 as a shorter 35-foot version of the existing 45-foot model to compete with other similar 35-foot coaches such as the TEMSA TS-35 and Van Hool CX35. The J3500 is MCI's first 35-foot coach since the discontinuation of the DINA produced F3500. The first J3500 was delivered to Tuscaloosa Charter Service in January 2019.[9]
See also
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References
edit- ^ "MCI-JSeries-brochure-FINAL.pdf" (PDF). Motor Coach Industries. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ "Specs". MCI. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ "History of Motor Coach Industries". Buses and More. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ "MCI Models A-J" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "Evolution of the MCI J4500". youtube.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Tackett, Richard (July 1, 2017). "Official BUSRide Field Test: The 2018 J4500 by MCI". Busride. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "MCI J4500e Reaches Highway Speed and Reliability Targets in Test Runs". Mass Transit Mag. May 11, 2018. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "Motor Coach Industries Launches Battery-Electric Luxury Coach for North American Market: J4500 CHARGE". Motor Coach Industries. Batteries News. May 5, 2021. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "MCI delivers first J3500, full production set for January 2019". Metro Magazine. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
External links
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