Ikarus-293 bus: specifications and photos

The Hungarian automobile company Ikarus in the whole of Europe is known for the production of good, quality buses. But one of them deserves special attention. This is a vehicle called Ikarus-293, which was completed almost 20 years ago.

Briefly about the model

This vehicle is an impressive three-sectional bus, which is a rarity for today. And earlier, in the years of production, this machine could be found only in Hungary and on the territory of the GDR.

Visually, the bus looks like a trolley bus. He looks impressive, which does not surprise. Its total weight is 33,450 kg, and the curb weight is 15,650 kg. In length it reaches 22.68 m, its width is 2.5 meters, and the height is 3 m (on the roof). It is not surprising that this Icarus is a bus belonging to a class of especially large ones. And he can accommodate 229 people (five by one square meter).

Despite its practical features, the bus was not popular. For a short time these models were operated in Budapest and in the city of Pecs. Then, after restyling, the bus was sold to Tehran, and it was allowed on the route. There, the Ikarus-293 carried passengers until 2005.

Design

Ikarus-293 belongs to the category of articulated buses. It consists of three rigid sections, which are pivotally connected to each other. In each of them there is a passenger cabin. All three have enough space necessary for the free movement of people and conductors. You can disconnect the three sections, but this is done only by highly qualified specialists. And exclusively in the production room.

It is also worth noting that the body of each section was bearing and had a wagon configuration. The self-contained frame was missing. There was only a rigid structure, formed by metal parts, connected by welding. However, the body of most old buses was created precisely on this principle.

Characteristics

Little is worth mentioning about the technical base underlying the Ikarus-293 model. The three-section bus has two junction points. The first was equipped with an anti-roll mechanism. The same was for the rear-wheel drive Ikarus 284. The second node was traditional.

Initially, the model had a rather weak engine. "Ikarus" was equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine, the production of which was handled by the Hungarian holding "Raba". The unit, which produced 250 "horses", was paired with an automatic checkpoint. But the power of this engine was clearly not enough for such a heavy vehicle. Another unit was required, otherwise the bus could not accelerate to the standard speed. But Icarus did not immediately receive it.

The bus was equipped with a new motor only in 4 years. It was an aggregate produced by the German engineering company MAN. He produced 280 liters. from. Thirty "horses" were decisive. Thanks to the new engine, the vehicle was able to reach speeds of up to 70 km / h.

Other Features

It is worth noting that the more powerful engine was not the only upgrade I received from Ikarus-293. After this kind of restyling, the bus also acquired new axles and a different body color. Plus, the engineers decided to arrange the second of the five 2-leaf doors differently. She was moved to one section ahead. Even the interior was a little refreshed. Although the driver's cabin of this bus did not differ in design from the workplace in other models.

All these works were aimed not only at making the bus visually more attractive. The developers expected to make it even more practical and functional.

Exploitation

Of course, Ikarus-293 is not a well-known model. However, the project promised to be successful. The prototype, over which engineers worked for more than one year, passed all the mandatory tests and even visited exhibitions. However, he had a significant flaw: all drivers without exception complained about the terrible handling. Because, strictly speaking, the project froze until 1992.

Also worth mentioning is that "Ikarus-293" is a model with a spring suspension, the main disadvantage of which is its fragility. Plus, she constantly creaks. Even this suspension is tough. There was no question of any soft progress. This not only reflected on the management, but also influenced the potential comfort of passengers. Few would have liked to go, clinging to the hilt. But the main disadvantage is the rapid subsidence of the suspension. The period of its operation would be reduced to a minimum, considering how many people were planned to be transported daily.

Assembly

It is important to mention that this rare bus was going in a modular scheme. That is why Ikarus 293 existed in several variants. By the way, theoretically this model can move in both directions. Some kind of maneuverability it will get if the traction unit is placed in the middle section. However, since the work on the original Ikarus 293 never went beyond the bounds of the experiment, it will not be possible to see such opportunities in reality.

It is also believed that all the shortcomings that this model has got from her predecessor. They were the I-280 bus. Many believe that the engineers decided not to deal with them carefully, but simply added the middle section. As a result - the shortcomings of the "base" remained with the follower.

Cuban version

It is also worth noting that this model was used as the basis for creating a licensed copy of the bus, which became known as Giron. These vehicles have found their application in Cuba. However, this version had a number of features that distinguished it from the Ikarus-293 bus, the photo of which is provided above. Cuban models received traditional joints, and the axis of the middle section, which was made shorter than the original, was equipped with single-pitched tires. It was also decided to change the number of windows and install the doors of the screen type. It is interesting that the old buses Cubans all the way back on track. Even today they can be found on the roads of the Island of Freedom, and in a decent condition.

The idea of the project

Now many motorists call this bus legendary. The question arises: why? After all, this vehicle was not very popular. Well, everything is so, however, to deny the unusual appearance and non-standard construction is not worth it. The bus drew attention to itself. However, this was the main idea of the developers. The fact is that all the buses on which transportation was carried out until the late 80's, are outdated both technically and morally. The original and unusual bus was very handy. Not without reason his appearance was emphasized by a bright coloration.

However, maybe the project would be successful. But in the early 90s, just at the time when the model was trying to rework and improve, the socialist system collapsed. And with it, the sunk into oblivion and the welfare of the whole concern. Production, as well as the sale of vehicles, fell at times.

The developers and representatives of the company directed all their efforts to developing models that would be in demand, and also began to search diligently for new markets for buses. But things did not improve, and as a result, the concern became part of IKARUSBUS. The last bus was released in February 2004. The new top management decided to produce only compact cars on special orders. So, together with the production, the idea of finishing Ikarus 293 was buried, which could become practical, functional and successful.