The MAN Lion's City is a range of low-floor and low-entry public buses built by German truck and bus manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus (previously MAN Nutzfahrzeuge) since 1996 primarily for the European market, but is also available in chassis-only variants worldwide. The name Lion's City has been used since 2006, when MAN's public bus models which had been marketed separately were gathered into one range, when also most models received a facelift. The first models to be introduced were the 12-metre low-floor intercity bus NÜ xx3 (A20) in 1996, the 12-metre city bus NL xx3 (A21) in 1997 and the articulated NG xx3 (A23) in 1998. As with former MAN bus models the power-rating made up part of the model name, giving the NÜ-series buses with power-ratings of 260 and 310 hp model names NÜ 263 and NÜ 313 respectively. The main production sites are in Starachowice and Sady in Poland, but the models have also been built in Germany, Turkey and Malaysia. Initially most of the midibus variants were manufactured by Göppel Bus in Augsburg, later Nobitz.
Models are available with a 6-cylinder turbocharged straight engine which runs on diesel, compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Versions with hydrogen fuel cell drive and with hydrogen internal combustion engines have been successfully tested, as well as diesel-electric hybrid drive. A production hybrid-electric version, the Lion's City Hybrid, which uses supercapacitors and two 67 kW electric motors is available since 2010. Hybrid electric buses offer increased efficiency in urban traffic and use 30% less fuel than combustion-only buses.
The latest generation of Neoplan Centroliner is based on the Lion's City (Neoplan was also part of the Neoman Bus group).
Integral variants Codes inside parentheses are internal codes that identify some technical characteristics of the variants, like length/wheelbase, number of axles, floor height, width, engine arrangement and so on. Some codes are unique to one variant, while others are shared between variants. Some variants have changed from one code to another over time. These codes are sometimes mistakenly used as a model designation. One can find the codes in VINs (i.e. WMAA21...) and in vehicle production serial numbers (i.e. A210012).
Current City (low-floor) Lion's City 12, 12 m single-decker diesel Lion's City 12 G, 12 m single-decker CNG Lion's City 12 E, 12 m single-decker electric Lion's City 18, 18 m articulated diesel Lion's City 18 G, 18 m articulated CNG Lion's City 18 E, 18 m articulated electric Lion's City, known as NL xx3 1997–2004 – 12 m single-decker horizontal engine (A21) vertical engine (A37), since 2002 Lion's City Hybrid (A37) – 12 m hybrid single-decker Lion's City C (A26, A36 since 2013) – 13.7 m single-decker Lion's City L (A26), known as NL xx3 - 15 m 1998–2004, Lion's City LL 2004–2009 – 14.7 m single-decker Lion's City G (A23), known as NG xx3 1998–2004 – 18 m articulated Lion's City GL (A23, A40 since 2011) – 18.75 m articulated Lion's City M – 10.5 m midibus 2.38 m wide (A35) 2.5 m wide (A47)
City (low-entry) Lion's City LE (A78), known as EL xx3 2003–2004, Lion's City T 2004–2008 – 12m single-decker version based on standard low-floor, horizontal engine platform (A21), including CNG version, available since 2011(?) version for South African market – bodied on 18.280 HOCL-NL/R (A84) chassis by MAN South Africa in Olifantsfontein since 2011 Lion's City C LE (A26, A45 since 2013?) – 13.7 m single-decker Lion's City L LE (A26, A44 since 2012?) – 14.7 m single-decker Lion's City G LE (A42) – 18 m articulated Lion's City GL LE (A49) – 18.75 m articulated
Intercity (low-floor) Lion's City Ü (A20), known as NÜ xx3 1996–2004 – 12m single-decker
Intercity (low-entry) Lion's City LE Ü (A78), known as EL xx3 2003–2004, Lion's City TÜ 2004–2008 – 12m single-decker
Discontinued City (low-floor) Lion's City DD (A39) – 13.73 m double-decker Lion's City GXL (A43) – 20.45 m articulated Lion's City M, known as NM xx3 and EM xx3 until 2005 – 8.13 m to 11.21 m midibus, bodied on 10/11.xxx HOCL (469), 12.xxx HOCL-NL (A76), 14.xxx HOCL-NL (A66) and MAN NLxx3F (A22) chassis by Göppel Bus
Intercity (low-floor) Lion's City ÜLL (A25), known as NÜ xx3 - 15 m 1998–2004 – 14.7 m single decker
Type designation system The type designations were used to define all models prior to 2004. With the introduction of the model names in 2004, the system is still in use on all vehicles, but is more for internal use. In most cases it can be found on the plate inside the bus where one finds the VIN.
Floor height N: Low-floor bus () E: Low-entry bus (Some low-entry versions have letter N instead when they are built technically similar to the low-floor version.) Adaption L: Rigid bus (no special adaption) () D: Double-decker bus () G: Articulated bus () M: Midibus Ü: Intercity bus () Power code xx: First two digits of power output in hp (nearest ten) 3: third generation F: Denotes that it is built as a chassis for external bodywork ()
For example, an ND323F low-floor double-decker bus has a power output of 320 hp.
Chassis variants (for external bodywork) Low-floor chassis variants are offered for external bodywork by local bodywork manufacturers. Most are bodied in the local manufacturer's own styling, but some are licensed to replicate the Lion's City bodywork, usually in markets where MAN do not sell the integral variants. This includes the East Lancs Kinetec for the UK market, which only replicate the front part and Gemilang Coachworks's version of the Lion's City, replicating the whole LHD bodywork for their (usually RHD) buses sold in Asia Pacific market, including the Lion's City Hybrid bodywork mounted on conventional diesel chassis. NLxx3F (A22) – single-decker bus, horizontal engine, 10.5 m – 12.0 m NDxx3F (A34/A48/A95) – double-decker bus, 10.85 m – 12.8 m. They have only been built in relatively small numbers and only for right-hand drive markets. NGxx3F (A24) – articulated bus, horizontal engine, 18.0 m – 18.75 m NMxx3F (A35) – midibus, vertical engine, 9.7 m – 10.4 m
Single decker
MAN NLxx3F and 14.2xx HOCL-NL (A66)
The MAN NLxx3F is a series of low-floor single-decker city bus chassis between 10 metre and 12 metre lengths,MAN Bus chassis MAN Truck & Bus offered by MAN since 1998, with chassis code A22. They are based on the integral low-floor MAN NLxx3 Lion's City (A21). Available versions since launch include: NL223F, NL233F, NL243F, NL263F, NL273F, NL283F, NL313F, and NL323F. -Liquefied petroleum gas and Compressed natural gas versions are also available, with NL313F Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) being the most powerful. While the low entry rigid bus MAN 14.250 HOCL-NL (code A66) vehicles were powered by the MAN D0836 LOH-65 engine (Euro V emission standards) paired with ZF Ecomat 6HP 504C 6-speed automatic transmission and one unit will be receive a ZF Ecolife 6AP 1400B gearbox. newer Euro VI bus are new equipped with MAN D0836 LOH-81 engine, which is Euro 6 compliant and ZF Ecolife 6AP 1400C 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Operators
Europe
Spain EMT Madrid of Madrid, Spain received a total of 84 CNG-powered NL313F CNGs in 2008. They were bodied by Castrosua and Burillo.
In 2011, five 10.4m NL283Fs and one Hispano Area-bodied NL283F began operating in Santiago de Compostela and Buñol respectively.
Between 2011 and 2012, 13 man NL283F buses came into operation in Tcc Pamplona, of which four were bodied by Sunsundegui and the other 9 by Castrosua.
In 2017, fifteen NL323F buses came into operation in EMT Malaga, all of them bodied by Castrosua
United Kingdom Wrightbus initially developed a bodywork for the MAN NL273F, called the Wright Meridian. It was the first MAN chassis to be bodied by Wrightbus. A Meridian demonstrator was launched at the Coach & Bus Live 2007, which entered service with Whitelaws. Regal Busways, Newbury Buses and Diamond Bus North West each operate an handful of Wright Meridian-bodied NL273Fs across the United Kingdom.
North Macedonia In 2020, Skopje's public bus company JSP Skopje received its order of 33 CNG operated buses. The order included 21 12m E1856 with a capacity for 85 passengers, and 12 18m E1856 with a capacity for 149 passengers. All the busses where EURO 6 compliant.
Asia-Pacific Hong Kong
The 12.0 metre MAN NL323F buses was manufactured by Gemilang Coachworks of Malaysia. These MAN NL323F buses was introduction into service in 2010; operated by Discovery Bay of Hong Kong. Reused the bus design Scania KUB Gemilang bodies of Malaysia. However, the 10.3 metre MAN 14.250 HOCL-NL (code A66) buses with MAN Lion's City Hybrid bodywork manufactured and assembly by Gemilang Coachworks in Malaysia, under license by MAN. The power that is fitted with being compliant Euro 5 emission standards MAN D0836 LOH-65 diesel engine. The MAN 14.250 HOCL-NL (A66) bus have been deployed introduction passenger service in since January 2018. other example two Discovery Bay MAN NL323F (A22) (Euro 6) Buses with MAN Lion's City Hybrid Mark 2 Bodywork assembly in Malaysia later delivered to Hong Kong and deployment enter passenger service from 2018. the units of MAN single-decker bus was franchised bus companies Park Island, Discovery Bay Transit Services. each single-door configuration MAN NL323F was produced by Ocean Park.
South Korea
In March 2017, MAN exhibited a 12.0m Castrosua City Versus bodied MAN NL313F CNG concept bus with three doors at the 11th Seoul Motor Show. It was marketed as the MAN Lion's City CNG, despite featuring Castrosua bodywork, which has a different design with the integral MAN Lion's City's body.
Gimpo Trans Co. received the first delivery of NL313F CNG and began service on Gimpo City bus route 1002 in November 2017.
Australia At Brisbane Airport, Carbridge operates one imported and rebodied Gemilang Coachworks MAN NL323F from Singapore which was a demonstrator unit as SMB138Y for SMRT Buses with the MCV Evolution bodywork. This unit was displayed at the 2015 BusVic Maintenance Conference in Moonee Valley, Victoria.
Middle East
Israel Dan Bus Company and Egged operate a fleet of NL313Fs and NL323Fs in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Double decker
MAN ND313F / ND363F (A34) The MAN ND313F and MAN ND363F, with the chassis code A34, is a tri-axle 12-metre chassis. A total number of 27 chassis were built between 2003 and 2006.
In 2003, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) of Hong Kong received one MAN ND313F with Neoplan Centroliner N4426 bodywork, it received fleet number APM1 and registration number LE4612, entering service later in the same year. The company later decided to choose other type of bus as the Centroliner bodywork cannot adapt Hong Kong climate, which lead to difficulties in repairing. This can be proven by their bus Neoplan Centroliner which they bought before. As a result, the bus remained unique in Kowloon Motor Bus fleet. It was retired in January 2019. Interestingly, this bus always need to stay in depot for repairing due to mechanical issues. Bus fans in Hong Kong therefore called her "Depot Officer" as nickname.
25 ND363F received Ayats coach bodywork, and were delivered to Ulsterbus of Northern Ireland in 2006.
MAN ND243F / ND283F (A48)
In 2006, a 10.85 metre two-axle version was launched as the MAN ND243F and MAN ND283F, with chassis code A48.
One ND283F received an East Lancs Kinetec+ bodywork, which had a front similar to that of MAN Lion's City. Thereafter, two more ND283F test chassis were built.
MAN ND323F / ND363F (A95)