Motor Coach Industries G-Series

Motor Coach Industries G-Series
Years of manufacture	2000 to 2004
Length	40.5 feet, 45.7 feet
Width	102 inches
Power/Fuel	Diesel

The Motor Coach Industries G-Series was an economical coach available in North America. The G-Series was designed in close co-operation with Greyhound Lines.

History

By 1996, Greyhound Lines was interested in developing a new coach with MCI to suit their needs. Greyhound desired a coach that had the simplicity and durability of the MC-9, which had gained favour in their fleet. MCI simplified some of the systems in their D-Series, including the engine cooling system and used a fixed tag axle. For added durability, they increased their use of stainless steel. It was decided that the new coach would be 41 feet long. A stylish exterior was adapted from the E-Series, with new angular headlights. A notable feature of the exterior is the slight deviation inward of the surface slightly below the passenger windows. This allows the air to carry dirt and rain away from the windows.

Inside, the G-Series is similar to the D-Series. The floor height is slightly higher, which allows for a gain in baggage compartment capacity. A wheelchair lift is located just ahead of the rear wheels, and space is provided for wheelchairs by folding and moving the seats. The driver's area was redesigned and reconfigured, included is a new instrument panel.

The G-Series was manufactured at MCI's facility in Sahagun, Mexico. To test out the coach, 25 prototypes were built and tested in 2000. Of the 25, 17 went to Greyhound and the remaining coaches went to other companies. The design was refined and production began in March 2001. Greyhound began to favour 45-foot coaches at this point, so the G-Series was produced in a 41-foot and 45-foot length. The first coach for Greyhound was presented on May 24, 2001.

While the G-Series found initial success, it later suffered from issues related to reliability. After a final production run of G4500's built in Winnipeg, the G-Series was discontinued in 2004, and focus shifted to the D-Series. Many of the design cues were adopted by the D4005 and D4505 coaches.

Model number breakdown

Model number	Length (feet)	Width (inches)	Notes
G4100	40.5'	102"	Originally released as the 102-G3
G4500	45.7'	102"

Specifications

Dimensions
Overall length: 40.5 or 45.7'
Width: 102"
Height: 138""
Weight: 34,000 lb to 15,422 lbs
Engine
Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7 litre, 400 hp, DDEC IV with Jacobs engine brake
Caterpillar C12 11.9L, 410 hp (2003 only)
Caterpillar C13 12.5L, 335/505 hp (2004 only)
Transmission
Allison B500
Axles
Dana
Meritor
Suspension
Air ride with manual leveling system
Brakes
Service: Meritor Q Plus™ air-operated drum with Haldex automatic slack adjuster, Eaton®ABS
Emergency: Spring brake on drive axle
Steering
TRW
HVAC
Carrier
Thermo King
Electrical
24 volt plus 12 volts
Seating Capacity
55-passenger Amaya Brasil w/chemical lavatory
Luggage Compartments
Underfloor enclosed compartments 440 cu ft; 12.46 cu m
Fuel Tank
200 U.S. gal (757 L)

Operators

Canada

• Gray Line West - Victoria, BC
• Greyhound Canada
• Norcan Tours & Travel

United States

• Academy Bus Lines - Hoboken, NJ
• Adventure Bus Charter & Tours - Sumiton, AL
• Bloomington Shuttle - Bloomington, IN
• Capitol Trailways - Harrisburg, PA
• Double A Charter - Rocky Hill, CT
• Greyhound USA
• Kelley Transit - Torrington, CT
• Martz Trailways - Wilkes-Barre, PA
• OK Tours - San Antonio, TX
• Palmer Charter Services - Little Falls, MN
• Prime Time Tours - Memphis, TN
• Starcoach - New Orleans, LA
• Trans-Bridge Lines - Bethlehem, PA
• Yellow Motor Coach - Annapolis Junction, MD

Mexico

• Autobuses Americanos - Mexico

Demonstrator Units

Fleet Number	Thumbnail	Year	VIN	Engine	Transmission	Notes
?		2001	?	?	?	White
?		2002	?	?	?	White