Redesigned Prevost X3-45® Debuts at UMA EXPO
(January 7, 2019, St. Claire, Quebec) With great fanfare and celebration, Prevost unveiled its redesigned X3-45® motorcoach in January during the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) EXPO in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Prevost Vice President/General Manager, Francois Tremblay, says the totally refreshed, more aerodynamic re-design and refinements to the X3-45 increase fuel economy significantly and further enhance the ultimate coach experience Prevost has delivered for 95 years.
“Our customers are as excited as we are with the changes and improvements we have made to this iconic model that will positively impact their bottom line”, he says. “The re-styled X3-45 has already achieved a remarkable decrease in highway fuel consumption of up to 10% which was accomplished through body modifications including the front windshield and side windows.”
Prevost will begin delivering the new X3-45 in the third quarter of 2019.
An all-new look with performance and safety enhancements
The standout changes started with reshaping the entire front fascia to improve airflow and visibility. Added slant to the two-piece windshield and a flush windshield gasket are aerodynamic tweaks that enabled the dramatic improvement in fuel consumption. Revisions to the rear cap closely match the front fascia with the addition of a peripheral upper lip.
“This curvature improves aerodynamics that boost fuel economy,” says Chief Project Manager, Camille Michel. “The swirling airflow behind the coach now actually helps propel the coach forward as opposed to creating drag.”
In discussions with customers concerning improvements they would want to see with the new model, François Trépanier, Director, Prevost Brand and Design, says fuel efficiency was their one concern he heard most.
“Above all else, operators told us they would appreciate whatever we could do to ease their fuel costs,” he says. “We know how difficult it is to trim costs and create profit from their operations, and much of what we have done with this new coach addresses this issue.”
The highly-reliable Volvo D13 engine as well as Prevost’s proprietary Electric Fan Drive system to cool the engine with less energy, accounts for a further 3-percent reduction in fuel consumption.
Inspired by the H-Series, an additional exterior change to the front alleviated integrating the headlamps into the bumper. Prevost made this modification for ease of maintenance to allow technicians to quickly change out the headlamps.
Passengers have a more expansive view
The adoption of the straight sides of the H3-45 enlarged the windows on the X3-45 to 65 inches, losing the top curvature in the process; and thereby eliminating two panes per side and reducing the number of posts. The result for passengers is a 15 percent increase in visibility and a more spacious feel to the interior, which the new one piece interior ceiling further accentuates.
Improvements for the driver
Refinements to the cockpit area make the driver’s job safer and more comfortable. The inward-slanted windshield and considerably narrower posts lend a more expansive front and side view and reduces the blind spots. A gutter installed at the front catches dirty water from the windshield wiper and keeps it from blowing onto the side windows, for a cleaner and clearer view of traffic and pedestrians through the side mirrors.
The new scissor-operated sunshade completely covers the windshield to fully protect the driver from the glare of the sun. This improvement was achieved without additional attachments or rods.
What hasn’t changed on the X3-45
Where the H3-45 is the tallest coach in the Prevost lineup, the X3-45 remains the lowest full-sized coach on the market; ensuring easy access to a wide variety of locations without sacrificing interior space. At 334.5 inches, the wheelbase of the X3-45 is the longest of any coach in the market, which accounts for its ultra-smooth ride — a major selling point in the entertainer and motorhome markets but advantageous for passengers in any market.
The launch of the redesigned X3-45 is in keeping with Prevost’s philosophy of product design and development instilled throughout the evolution of its coach lines. “We are pleased to say we now have a true Prevost family of coaches,” says Trépanier. “Parked beside its older sibling, H3-45, the X3-45 is more in line with the public perception of the Prevost brand.”