Motor Coach Industries J4500: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 21:14, 16 August 2017

Motor Coach Industries J4500
MCI J4500
Years of manufacture 2001 to present
Length 45 feet
Width 102 inches
Power/Fuel Diesel
MCI J4500

The Motor Coach Industries J4500 is a luxury tour and charter coach sold in Canada and the United States. It was introduced to the motorcoach market at the 2001 UMA Expo in Atlantic City[1] and is now MCI's best selling coach. The J4500 also led the industry in coach sales for the first quarter of 2011.[2]

Design history

The J4500 was developed to address the demand for a coach that was as attractive as the E-Series, but had less complex and expensive features. The majority of the E-Series' exterior, designed by DesignworksUSA, was carried over to the J4500. Some of the minor differences included front marker lights, windshield, and rear end.

The rear of the J4500 was more contoured and had round tail lights. On early coaches, the tail light assemblies were behind a clear lens. This was deleted a few years into production as it was not uncommon for condensation to develop behind them. The tail lights were further revised in 2007.

In 2009, MCI made wide-ride suspension, electronic stability control, reverse sensing system, and Blaupunkt entertainment system standard features on the J4500. Amerex fire suppression system, Asset Tracking System (GPS) and DriveCam monitoring system also became options. MCI added a new interior lighting system which fades on and off in addition to optional LED cabin night lights.

MCI selected the Cummins ISX engine as standard for the EPA 2010-compliant J4500 with the Detroit Diesel DD13 as an option. The Allison automatic transmission remained the standard, with the ZF automatic-manual transmission becoming an option again later in 2011. The 2011-model year also saw the addition of a steerable tag axle and 15 inch television monitors.

MCI again worked with DesignworksUSA to redesign the J4500. The new J4500 was launched for the 2013-model year, with Peter Pan Bus Lines taking delivery of the first coach in the fall of 2012. The J4500 was given updated LED headlight clusters behind coated polycarbonate lenses. A trail of amber LEDs function as the turn signal. The more robust bumper has smooth recesses for fog lights. The rear was given sharper lines, and the centre brake lights were moved higher. Larger tail lights are set in a taller red bezel.

The driver's area was revised for greater visibility and accessibility. An optional driver's seat with three-point seat belt boasts an additional two inches of space. Drivers have optional "Yo" lights which are used to acknowledge passing vehicles.

The J4500 received a new parcel rack design in 2014 which affords passengers more head room. They feature new multisets with improved layout and illuminated "fasten seatbelt" sign. The seating arrangement has been reconfigured to yield more legroom as well. An improved lavatory features more ventilation, better lighting, and a shatterproof mirror.

MCI added their Dynamic Suspension System which levels the coach based on loads and road surface. For the 2015-model year, independent front suspension replaced the solid beam front axle on the J4500. In addition, a new brake system from Bendix offers the option of adaptive cruise control.

At the end of June 2017, MCI introduced their 2018-model J4500. Beginning in 2015, MCI embarked on two projects: Interior Space Maximization and Interior Enhancement. The result was a host of new features as well as enhancements to the design of the coach.[3][4]

At the rear, the air intake system, including the ducting, was relocated and reconfigured. The lavatory was also reconfigured. This allowed the rearmost row of seats to be moved back 20 inches, giving a 56-passenger seating configuration more leg room as well as allowing for a 60-passenger seating configuration. The relocation of the air intake system also allowed for a larger passenger window at the rear seats and option for a rear window.

In partnership with BMW Designworks USA, new interior features and enhancements were developed. New handrails and new parcel racks doors have finishes that resist scratches smudges and abrasions. The parcel racks now integrate with the front interior cap for a cleaner look. In addition, the windshield blinds now recess into the front cap. A new instrument panel makes use of a thin film transistor LCD screen. The left side console takes up less space and has improved switches, a flexible cup holder, and a place for a cell phone or personal items. The redesigned space offer more room for the driver and better visibility.

An option for variable RGB LED lighting is available that illuminates the J4500's characteristic entranceway. This can be expanded with mood lighting for the passenger cabin. A number of colours is available and custom combinations can be programmed. Dimming is also an option. A LED "puddle light", which projects a customized logo onto the ground, can be specified by the door.

  • Brewster 327.jpg

    Original taillight cluster (2001-2004)

  • Diversified Transportation 3547.jpg

    Taillight cluster without clear lense.

  • Revised taillight cluster with larger lights (2007-present)

  • Body design for 2001-2012 model years

Specifications

Other photos

  • Interior view of latest generation J4500, front to back.

  • Interior view of latest generation J4500, back to front.

  • Driver cab view of latest generation J4500.

  • Typical interior of a seated J4500 coach, first generation.

  • Driver cab view, first generation.

  • Entrance to the J4500 coach, showing the spiral staircase.

  • Lavatory area at the rear of the coach.

  • An example of a J4500 Conversion Shell. MCI began offering the J coach for conversions in 2005.

Anniversary Edition

In 2008, MCI announced a J4500 Anniversary Edition (J4500LX) that would be produced to mark 75 years of coach-building excellence. It was previewed at the UMA Expo in San Francisco.

Features

  • Cummins ISM 10.8-liter, 410 hp Engine
  • Designworks USA-styled aluminum wheels
  • shiny chrome mirrors with built-in turn signals
  • conversion-style exterior lighting
  • seating with larger headrests, leather piping, and a more stylish profile
  • new wide-ride suspension and handling package with ABS, Electronic Stability Control System, Automatic Traction Control and Roll Stability Control
  • Reverse Sensing
  • SmartWave tire-pressure monitoring
  • Blaupunkt entertainment package - 15 tweeters, dual subwoofers, in-dash DVD player, six video monitors, audio inputs including iPod dock
  • 110V outlets approximately every third row
  • configured for wireless Internet service, and acceptance for satellite television / radio
  • LED aisle lighting
  • E4500 steering wheel and upgraded instrumentation panel

Operators

Canada Flag of Canada.png

United States Flag of the United States.png

Demonstrator units

Fleet
number 		Thumbnail Year VIN Engine Transmission Notes
2001 1M83JMPA81P061686 To Wills Bus Lines 230; bought in January 2002.
62358 2004 White with "Motor Coach Industries" on sides
2006 White with red & blue curved lines and a maple leaf
2006
  • White
  • Displayed at 2006 CUTA Trans-Expo
2007 Blue
2007 White with "Motor Coach Industries" on side
2008 Blue with 75th anniversary graphics
2008 Cummins ISM
  • Anniversary Edition
  • Blue with nature themed wrap
  • Displayed at 2008 APTA Expo
2008
  • Raised roof and chrome mirrors
  • Silver wrap "The MCI Driving Experience"
2009 Red with Gold & Black curved lines
None
  • White with Blue/Grey curved lines
  • MCI 'Waterfall' Logo on sides just above rear wheels
65358D 2010 White with blue and grey waves
2010
  • White with large blue and grey waves
  • Displayed at 2010 OTE
2010
  • White with MCI logo
  • Displayed at 2010 CUTA Trans-Expo
D65917 2011
  • American flag graphics
  • Displayed at 2011 CUTA Trans-Expo
2011 Cummins ISX11.9 Allison B500
  • Dark blue with "Reliability Driven" on sides
  • Displayed at 2012 UMA Expo and OTE
66251D 2012 2013 model
66283D 2012 2013 model
66747 2014
66792 2014 White with blue interior and wood veneer parcel racks.
66953 Motor Coach Industries J4500 Demonstrator 66953-a.jpg 2014
67089 Dec. 2014 2MG3JMBA5FW067089 Cummins ISX12 Allison B500R6
  • 2015 model.
  • Green base.
67094 2015
67214 2015
  • Charcoal base
67493 Motor Coach Industries J4500 Demonstrator 67493-a.jpg 2016 Cummins ISX12 Allison B500R
  • Tan base
  • Blue and pale yellow interior w/ Amaya A-2TEN seats
67529 2016
  • Red base
  • Charcoal interior w/ Kiel 2050 seats
67609D 2016
  • White base
67630 2016
  • Silver base
67857 2017
  • White base
  • Displayed at 2017 OTE
68125 2017
  • Navy base

References

  1. ↑ National Bus Trader, November 2012 edition, mcicoach.com, retrieved 2012-12-22
  2. ↑ MCI® J4500, D4500 rank as motor coach industry's top sellers in 2011 first quarter mcicoach.com, retrieved 04-05-2011
  3. ↑ Making the best seller even better:MCI's 2018 J4500 introduces more passenger space, upscale interior touches and improved workspace for drivers. Press release. Motor Coach Industries. 22 June 2017.
  4. ↑ Tackett, Richard. Featuring all-new space and aesthetic considerations, MCI’s newest vehicle means exciting changes for operators and passengers. 01 July 2017. BusRide Magazine.
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