Manufacturer Optare Floor type Low floor | Doors 1, 2 or 3 Chassis Integral | |
 | ||
Production 2004-2011 (Tempo)
2011-present (Tempo SR) Engine Mercedes-Benz OM906LA
MAN D0836 | ||
The Optare Tempo is a full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As at March 2016, approximately 230 had been completed.
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Tempo
The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004, with the first delivered to Trentbarton in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6, 11.3, 12.0 and 12.6 metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top.
It was originally powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine, with a MAN D0836 engine option later introduced, coupled to an Allison or ZF automatic transmission. In 2007, a hybrid version was introduced for London operators. The Optare Tempo has stopped production and got replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.
Tempo SR
In October 2011, a restyled version was launched as the Tempo SR. The Tempo SR came in three different lengths: 10.6, 11.3 and 12.0 metres and incorporated a Mercedes-Benz OM906 six-cylinder 210 kW (282 bhp) SCR engine (the MAN engine option being dropped). ZF 6HP500* six-speed transmission could be specified as an alternative to the standard Allison T310R gearbox – both of which feature integral retarders.
United Kingdom
Arrva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Transdev Blazefield and the Wellglade Group all have all been purchasers. It has been operated by Transport for London operators East London, London United and Metroline.
Europe
One left hand drive Optare Tempo was exported to Kiel, Germany in 2007, but it was taken out of service shortly afterwards.
Australia
In Australia, Tempos have been purchased by Carbridge and Park Ridge Transit.