Blue Bird Vision Gasoline Bus: THE POWER TO SAVE NOW. AND SAVE LATER. Built to take on tomorrow.
UP FRONT COST SAVINGS RELIABILITY & AFFORDABILITY FOR YEARS TO COME The Blue Bird Vision Gasoline bus gives you many of the benefits of propane or CNG buses (including emissions reduction) at a more affordable cost. Its acquisition cost is also significantly less than a diesel purchase. SIMPLE, LOW-COST MAINTENANCE Many customers are migrating to lower cost, spark-ignited powertrains because they also cost less to maintain. There s no costly diesel after-treatment system - just simple, precious metal loaded catalyst after-treatment. Ford s control system improves emissions while saving time and money, requiring less tech training, less labor and less product inventory. Parts and supplies are easily accessible and affordable. Plus, the uncomplicated gasoline engine makes it easier to find qualified techs at a reasonable rate. It all adds up to lower maintenance costs. Our Vision Gasoline bus comes with the unwavering Blue Bird commitment to passenger safety, durability, service and support including our dedicated team of field service engineers focused exclusively on school bus operations. The extensive Blue Bird/Ford service network throughout the US and Canada assures quick turnaround on service. ROUSH CleanTech also provides ongoing support through on-site or web-based technician training. The company also makes emissions and cost-savings data available to our customers. Talk to your Blue Bird Dealer today about expanding your fleet with the one option that costs less to acquire and less to maintain: the quality-built Blue Bird Vision Gasoline bus. EASY TO START UP, FILL UP AND HEAT The Blue Bird Vision Gasoline bus delivers: Reliable cold weather startup (no wait to crank) Smooth, quiet engine operation Readily available fuel supply Warmer cabin heating (no need for coolant pre-heaters) 60-gal. tank (plus a new 00-gal. tank option)
Blue Bird Vision Gasoline Bus SO MANY REASONS TO GO GASOLINE Now there s a highly affordable addition to our best-selling Vision bus series: the Blue Bird Vision Gasoline bus. Built to be cost effective both now and down the road, it offers benefits you won t find with any other bus. POWERFUL POWERTRAIN Powerful powertrain advantages Blue Bird teamed up with Ford to give our Vision Gasoline bus the same rugged powertrain used by Ford Commercial Duty Trucks, optimized by ROUSH CleanTech for our bus application. The result is a commercial-duty bus powertrain that s robust, reliable, meets stringent emission standards and eliminates expensive diesel after-treatment. This proven powertrain offering is now brought to the school bus industry exclusively by Blue Bird. The Ford 6.8L V0 spark-ignited engine has a long history of success. For over two decades, Ford has used modular engines, including the 6.8L, and they have proven their durability and reliability in the commercial truck market year after year. It s no wonder that this Vision Gasoline bus comes with a 5-year, unlimited-mile warranty on the engine, transmission and entire fuel system. Talk about reliable. Ford has produced over.8 million 6.8L V0 engines, a testament to this engine s PROVEN PERFORMANCE and DEPENDABILITY. 3 6 5 2 Electronic Throttle Electronic throttle control (ETC) uses electronic sensors instead of mechanical linkage to deliver seamless and consistent engine response 7 4
Blue Bird, Ford and ROUSH CleanTech have come together to deliver a proven powertrain that s optimized for the school bus industry and available exclusively from Blue Bird. All new torque converter with low speed lock up capability - down to 900 rpm - enabling the engine to run efficiently at any rpm for improved fuel economy 3 Bigger stronger gears with a lower first gear ratio for improved launch performance and uncompromising tow-haul durability 2 Higher-strength sinter metal carrier with patented Ford rocker one-way clutch is designed to easily handle enormous low-end torque and higher GVW load. 4 High energy friction plates are engineered with fluid lube paths to improve cooling, wear resistance and to reduce fluid churning to minimize torque loss ADVANTAGES The Ford 6R40 transmission is a 6-speed automatic with strong competitive advantages, including higher shift speeds, lower weight, and an all new Torque Converter with low speed lock up capability down to 900 rpm. This converter avoids slippage and allows the engine to run smoothly and efficiently at any rpm. 5 New high-capacity, high-efficiency fluid filter keeps the fluid running cleaner longer to extend fluid change intervals up to 50,000 miles Tested tough and verified durable for over 250,000 miles of some of the toughest operating conditions Proven powerflow provides close ratio gearing for seamless shifting and a double-overdrive to help keep you in the power sweet spot for optimum performance and fuel economy 7 4 2 6 7 3 6 5 FORD 6.8L V0 Spark-ignited Engine FORD 6R40 Transmission Two Intake Valves per Cylinder Single overhead camshaft design, one camshaft in each cylinder head, provides advanced level of valve control; 3 valves per cylinder design 2 intake, exhaust Oil Cooler Standard to lower oil temperature, slows down oil breakdown 2 4 6 Silent Design Chain Camshaft Drive Contributes to durability and helps reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) Aluminum Heads - Lightweight with cooler operating temperatures, contributes to better fuel economy and longer term durability Coil-On-Plug Ignition System Design for high mileage durability 3 5 7 Cast Iron Block - Deep-skirt engine block and low-friction internal components mean greater reliability and performance
Truly seamless integration Blue Bird has also partnered with ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader, to assure seamless powertrain integration through specific calibration. The company takes Ford s base calibrations for the 6.8L engine and optimizes them for gasoline fuel, creating a truly efficient gasoline bus to optimize powertrain matching for school bus applications. ROUSH CleanTech is one of the only companies given access to Ford s calibrations. This close working partnership between two industry leaders assures you that all Blue Bird alternative fuel buses are custom designed to perform. By providing one platform across all alternative fuel types, ROUSH CleanTech also makes it easy to service the engines for all Blue Bird gasoline, propane and CNG buses in your fleet. ROUSH CleanTech optimizes the Ford powertrain, delivering 320hp / 460 ft-lbs torque at 3,900rpm. This powertrain meets stringent emission standards, plus Ford is well positioned to meet all future fuel economy and emission targets, including CARB certification. Exclusive ROUSH CleanTech Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) includes belts for Dual TM-2 A/C compressors, alternator & power steering pump. (Air compressor & AC compressors are optional.) The 6R40 transmission has the widest span of gear ratios, allowing better low speed engine operation. The result is excellent fuel economy. Lowest weight transmission: 30 lbs. less than the competition, improving fuel efficiency. New Torque Converter with low speed lock up capability down to 900 rpm.
SPECIFICATIONS CAPACITY Multiple floor plans available with passenger seating up to 78 EXTERIOR WIDTH 96 INTERIOR WIDTH 90 3/4 AISLE WIDTH Varies by floor plan SKIRT LENGTH 6 /4, 9 3/4, 25 3/4 INTERIOR HEIGHT 77 OVERALL HEIGHT 22-28 WHEELBASE 89 /27 /238 /252 /273 /280 OVERHANG 45 front overhang with standard steel bumper. Rear overhang varies by body length/wheelbase FUEL TANK Standard 60-gallon, optional 00-gallon located between frame rails in rear overhang ENTRANCE DOOR 27 wide x 78 high/double electric outward opening REAR DOOR 37 wide x 52 high TRANSMISSION Ford 6R40-6 speed automatic ENGINE Ford three-valve 6.8L V0 Gasoline, 320 hp TIRE SIZE R22.5 (G) all-position radials ALTERNATOR 240, 270, and 320 amps with 2 volts BRAKES 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with 4-channel antilock brake system; Air drum and air disc brakes available SUSPENSION Soft ride front leaf spring suspension (rating varies by capacity); Two-stage steel leaf rear spring suspension system (rating varies by capacity); Air suspension available STEERING Tilt & telescoping steering column FRONT AXLE Front axle (rating varies by capacity) REAR AXLE Rear axle with hypoid, single reduction gears with broad range of ratios available to optimize powertrain performance (rating varies by capacity) WHEEL CUT 50 GVWR Up to 33,000 lb. For more information, contact your local Blue Bird Dealer. www.blue-bird.com/find-a-dealer CONNECT WITH US! www.blue-bird.com Specifications, features, illustrations and equipment shown in this brochure are based upon the latest available information at the time of printing. Although descriptions are believed to be correct, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Blue Bird Body Company reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. Some features mentioned herein are not available in all models. Please see your Blue Bird Dealer for details. Blue Bird Body Company does not represent or warrant that its products are fit for a particular purpose. Purchaser must independently determine the suitability of the Blue Bird products for their particular application. All images contained herein are either owned by Blue Bird Body Company or used under a valid license. All trademarks used herein are registered trademarks of Blue Bird Body Company. It is a violation of federal law to reproduce these images without express written permission from Blue Bird Body Company. SB-VISGASBROCHURE-076 206 Blue Bird Corporation