Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) launched its highly anticipated S2 cutaway, featuring a near-complete shuttle bus cab during BusCon 2010. Built to meet the needs of commercial bus manufacturers desiring an alternative to a traditional truck chassis, the FCCC S2 cutaway boasts the same reliability, durability and maneuverability customers have come to expect from an FCCC chassis.

The S2 cutaway is FCCC’s first foray into the commercial bus cab cutaway market. Utilizing the proven technology of the popular FCCC S2 commercial bus chassis, the S2 cutaway differs from others in the market because it is built upon a proven shuttle bus chassis rather than a traditional truck chassis.

“FCCC recognized the need for a cab cutaway product that was built upon a bus chassis, so we designed and engineered one to meet our high standards of quality and reliability,” said Jonathan Randall, director of sales and marketing for FCCC. “Because it was built on the S2 chassis, the S2 cutaway chassis has all of the features and benefits for a bus application already incorporated into the vehicle, including excellent maneuverability.”

The FCCC S2 cutaway provides coach designers’ options to craft the coach to fit their customers’ specific business needs, while also satisfying OEMs specific production needs for simplicity and ease of build. Coach manufacturers can add or remove certain cab amenities, including the rear wall, seating, passenger door and roof top door, allowing for a customized product.

Manufacturers working with the FCCC S2 cutaway benefit from the all-inclusive chassis design because they only need to address the vehicle’s body, seating and wheelchair capabilities. All other integral parts of the vehicle are taken care of by FCCC.

Understanding maneuverability is a primary challenge for shuttle bus operators, the FCCC S2 cutaway features a 55-degree wheel cut, an industry best. The FCCC S2 cutaway ensures best-in-class ride and handling for maneuvering in-and-out of tight spaces, and is an ideal solution for airport shuttle, park-and-ride, assisted living, charter, rental, church and university transportation needs, according to a company statement.

The front-engine diesel S2 cutaway features a sloped hood for easy engine access and visibility, and includes a dependable Freightliner M2 cab bus body. Built on a lightweight aluminum frame to reduce flex and bowing, minimize coach stress and keep the driver and passengers comfortable, the FCCC S2 cutaway also features a complete dashboard with steering capabilities.

“FCCC developed the S2 cutaway to provide coach manufacturers with an alternative solution to help make their jobs easier,” Randall said. “The FCCC S2 cutaway lets coach manufacturers work with an all-inclusive, near-complete shuttle chassis, allowing for a straightforward coach production process.”

Powered by an EPA 2010 Cummins ISB 6.7-liter engine with up to 260 hp and an Allison automatic six-speed transmission, the FCCC S2 cutaway has outstanding power and performance. Cummins 2010 engines utilize Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which is proven to meet long-term EPA 2010 emissions requirements by dramatically reducing nitrous oxide (NOx), particulate matter and fine particle emissions without increasing fuel consumption as do alternative methods.

StarTrans Bus, based in Goshen, Ind., chose to build their P/S2 model on the new FCCC S2 cutaway chassis. Supreme Corp.’s StarTrans Bus Division markets 32 models of transit and tour buses in North America, with manufacturing locations in Goshen, Ind., Jonestown, Penn., and Woodburn, Ore.

The FCCC S2 cutaway will be available for order in the fourth quarter of 2010, with production expected to commence in the first quarter of 2011. The FCCC S2 cutaway joins the FCCC full lineup of commercial bus chassis, including the, MB-65, MB-HEV hybrid-electric chassis, MB-55, XB Series and S2 shuttle bus chassis.