Oct 22, 2009 (The Citizen/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Swedish truck and bus maker Scania and Spanish vehicle bodybuilder Irizar have jointly launched a new Scania bus model in Tanzania.

The Scania F270 model was officially unveiled in Dar es Salaam yesterday in a function attended by Scania Tanzania managing director Claes Nyqvist, Scania South Africa export sales representative Ryan Levendale and Irizar national sales executive for South Africa Roland Stanton, among others.

The chassis with a front-mounted engine is fitted with Irizar's Inter-Century body for optimum performance, driveability, capacity and passenger comfort. The bus is powered by a 9-litre five-cylinder engine developing 270 horsepower.

"The 60-seater bus is designed to meet all of Scania's safety and quality requirements,"Mr Levendale said.

Scania Tanzania sales manager Godwin Rwegasira said bus was designed to withstand the tough operating conditions in Tanzania and other Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) member states.

"This bus offers maximum reliability in tough operating conditions," he said, noting that the bus could be specified as either an inter-city or tourist coach.

He added that the new bus would be sold alongside some of Scania's existing models.

Equipment in the bus includes a 74-litre fridge, coffee maker and digital clock.

<<The Citizen. Distributed AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). -- 10/23/2009>>