DAF Components is delivering 110 PACCAR MX-11 engines to Solaris Bus & Coach for a new series of 'Urbino mh' city buses, which will be deployed in Rome by public transport operator Atac. The buses will be put into service in the coming months and are therefore just in time for the festivities of the papal jubilee year 2025.
The Roman public transport companies already have a fleet of no fewer than 720 Solaris buses with PACCAR engines. The 110 PACCAR MX-11 engines for the new Roman city buses deliver 270 kW/370 hp. The flat torque curve ensures excellent driving characteristics and maximum passenger comfort, even on the hilly roads and bus lanes in and around Rome. The Solaris Urbino is a 'low entry' city bus. The PACCAR MX-11 engine in the Roman buses will be combined with a special automatic transmission. As a result, the vehicles emit nothing when stationary ('Start-Stop') and the engine is electrically supported when accelerating, using regenerated braking energy. In 2025, Rome will commemorate Pope Francis' proclamation that 'Hope never disappoints', resulting in a papal jubilee year under the title 'Pilgrims of Hope'. Rome is also preparing for the arrival of some 35 million pilgrims. Reliable and efficient public transport is therefore crucial for the city.