Golden Dragon 18-Meter Bus: Custom Innovations for European Public Transit Needs
Exploring the Depth and Breadth of Golden Dragon’s Custom Development Through Its 18-Meter Buses
In recent years, overseas markets have become a major growth point for China's bus industry, with Golden Dragon standing out. Notably, its 18-meter articulated bus designed for the European market has frequently secured large orders, becoming a star model in this niche segment.
Recently, at Golden Dragon’s test site in Zhangzhou, Fujian, engineers conducted a serpentine slalom test on this 18-meter articulated natural gas bus tailored for overseas clients. In China, such buses are primarily used in BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) scenarios, operating on dedicated lanes without mandatory stability standards. Why, then, does Golden Dragon invest resources in testing this model?
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According to Golden Dragon’s overseas market representatives, the operating routes and conditions in Europe differ significantly from those in China. European roads are often mixed-use, lack dedicated BRT lanes, feature uneven conditions, and include narrow urban streets with higher average speeds. Vehicle stability directly impacts operational efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. Therefore, Golden Dragon has incorporated control and stability testing for this model.
During testing, technical staff gathered data on vehicle steering and body dynamics at different speeds to fine-tune the weight distribution, winches, suspension, and stabilizer bars. Key performance targets include ensuring precise control in curves for driver safety, maintaining body stability in emergencies or obstacle avoidance, and achieving smooth coordination between the front and rear sections for passenger comfort.
Test drives at speeds of 30–40 km/h revealed excellent stability, with the rear section following smoothly and no noticeable swaying or tilting.
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Powertrain and Safety Innovations
The bus features a natural gas engine paired with an Allison 6-speed automatic transmission equipped with a hydraulic retarder. This configuration balances power, safety, comfort, and operational efficiency. Under partial load, the vehicle demonstrated quick power response and smooth shifting without noticeable jolts.
For gas safety, Golden Dragon implemented multiple safeguards, including top-mounted gas cylinders to avoid collision risks, a 230mm buffer between the filling port and vehicle skirt for side collisions, and high/low-pressure dynamic/static tests to ensure pipeline sealing. Additionally, a gas leak alarm system was installed to prevent potential hazards.
For gas safety, Golden Dragon implemented multiple safeguards, including top-mounted gas cylinders to avoid collision risks, a 230mm buffer between the filling port and vehicle skirt for side collisions, and high/low-pressure dynamic/static tests to ensure pipeline sealing. Additionally, a gas leak alarm system was installed to prevent potential hazards.
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Passenger-Friendly Design
To cater to high passenger flow and frequent boarding scenarios, the bus uses ZF front and rear axles, achieving a 340mm single-step height and a flat low-floor interior. This enhances boarding convenience and passenger capacity. The second, third, and fourth doors feature 1200mm wide electric sliding plug doors, improving boarding efficiency during peak times.
The interior layout highlights Golden Dragon’s customization capabilities for overseas clients. The bus includes onboard WiFi, USB charging ports at all seats, wheelchair ramps, senior-friendly seating with handrails and call buttons, and optimized seating in the front section for wheelchair and stroller space.
The interior layout highlights Golden Dragon’s customization capabilities for overseas clients. The bus includes onboard WiFi, USB charging ports at all seats, wheelchair ramps, senior-friendly seating with handrails and call buttons, and optimized seating in the front section for wheelchair and stroller space.
Driver-Centric Design
Considering long routes, complex road conditions, and demanding workloads, the driver’s area prioritizes comfort and safety. Magnetic doors ease operation, air-cushioned seats enhance comfort, and adjustable floating instrument panels and steering wheels suit drivers of varying builds. Features like fatigue monitoring, lane departure warnings, 360-degree cameras, tire pressure monitoring, and ASR-equipped electronic braking systems enhance safety and reduce passenger discomfort during braking.
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A Competitive Edge in European Markets
Golden Dragon’s 18-meter bus has excelled in the highly competitive European market, thanks not only to its cost-effectiveness but also to its commitment to customized development. By proactively designing tailored solutions for clients’ operational needs, Golden Dragon continues to strengthen its core competitiveness and expand its global footprint.
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