MCI will host Reliability Rally events at race tracks and stadiums around the country this spring and summer so coach operators can experience new axle, suspension and brake technologies soon to debut on MCI J4500 and D-Series coaches.
The events will feature test rides, supplier booths, training sessions and lunch. The rallies will also showcase the second door option and club corner seating on the Setra S 417; a selection of priced-to-sell pre-owned coaches; and special parts offers and MCI Service Center promotions.
“The rallies reflect our Reliability Driven culture to provide our customers with the highest-quality coaches with the lowest total operational costs, as evidenced in the technology upgrades coming soon on the J4500 and D-Series coaches,” said Brent Maitland, vice president of marketing and product planning.
MCI will introduce a ZF axle and independent suspension that promises to reduce the turning radius from 47 feet to 40 feet, 11 inches. The new Bendix Knorr ADB 22 X system, made in the U.S. since 2005, will offer car-like control, the safety of adaptive cruise control and easier serviceability.
“The Bendix is a more robust, lighter-weight system for more payload capacity and a lower cost of operation, with improved tire wear and fewer parts to be replaced,” said Brent Danielson, MCI’s product planning engineer. “Service requires replacing bearings rather than the entire hub, and there is one common rotor part rather than two. The Bendix system also offers adaptive cruise control that detects a coach’s position behind other vehicles and automatically reduces the throttle or applies the brakes to maintain safe following distances.”
MCI already has nine pilot coaches featuring the ZF and Bendix systems in field tests with larger operators across the country, and the technologies are already proven in other heavy-duty vehicles.
Operators will get the chance to test-ride the J4500 during the MCI Reliability Rally at the following locations: Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth, TX, Wednesday, April 30; Chicago Motor Speedway, Joliet, IL, Thursday, May 22; Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA, Wednesday, June 4; Sands Resort & Casino, Bethlehem, PA, Wednesday, June 11; Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA, Thursday, June 26; and AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, Tuesday, July 8.
Each event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants can look forward to morning presentations from MCI and suppliers, enjoy lunch; and afternoon test-rides and site tours.