Renault PR180
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
| Products | Bus chassis (including Renault PR180 and PR180.2) |
The Renault PR180 and PR180.2 represent step-entrance articulated bus chassis manufactured by Renault Véhicules Industriels in Lyon, France. These models were derived from the well-established PR100 rigid bus, sharing numerous components. Once a familiar sight across French urban areas, the majority of PR180.2 buses have since been retired or are operated by smaller private enterprises.
A notable feature of the PR180 was its unique configuration of two driving axles—positioned at both the centre and rear—setting it apart from conventional articulated buses that typically employ only one driving axle.
ACTION
Between 1987 and 1993, ACTION incorporated 34 PR180.2 buses into their fleet, which were branded as Macks and fitted with bodies by Ansair at Tullamarine. The first batch of 27 vehicles delivered between 1988 and 1989 included some equipped with centre doors, which were subsequently removed. An additional seven units were introduced in 1993.
Transperth
From 1988 to 1989, Transperth acquired 65 PR180.2 buses, carrying Renault badges and featuring bodies constructed by JW Bolton. All these buses maintained the front-end design of the PR100.
Heuliez GX 237
In the 1980s, a bi-articulated version known as the "Mégabus" was created through a collaboration between Heuliez Bus and Renault. In 1989, CGFTE procured ten of these units for service in Bordeaux, where they operated until the tramway system commenced operations in 2004.