On Monday, IC Bus unveiled their first fully integrated small shuttle bus, the IC Bus AC Series, to customers, dealers and the media at an event at the Navistar Engine Plant in suburban Chicago.

The fully integrated IC Bus AC Series features a proprietary design, which allows for bumper-to-bumper coverage and ensures customers have a single point of contact with only one network: IC Bus. This one-stop-shop approach provides everything bus operators need throughout the lifecycle of the bus, including financing, parts, service and warranties.

“Bus operators shouldn’t have to settle for less and that’s why we’re introducing our first fully integrated small shuttle bus,” said John McKinney, president, IC Bus. “We launched the AC Series because we believe our customers deserve better.”

Sharing a platform with the commercial-grade International TerraStarTM truck, which was introduced this past spring, the AC Series features frame rails rated to 80,000 PSI, and a full-tilt hood, allowing for unobstructed access to the engine compartment.

The AC Series also comes with an abundance of features that take comfort to a whole new level, allowing unique customization to meet a fleet’s exact needs. From tour and charter operations, hotel or rental car shuttles, paratransit operations, day care or public transportation, the fully integrated AC Series will be a game changer for how bus operators purchase, maintain and operate their fleet.

The AC Series bus is powered by the lightweight, rugged, yet powerful 220 hp 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7, which delivers outstanding fuel economy and low overall cost of ownership. It combines a 28,000-psi (1,900-bar) high-pressure common-rail fuel system, dual sequential turbocharger system and a high strength compacted graphite iron (CGI) block. The MaxxForce 7 is matched with an Allison 1000 Series transmission for optimum power output.

The MaxxForce 7 is built with MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology, the only no-hassle emissions technology available in the bus industry. With MaxxForce Advanced EGR, bus operators won’t have the worry of finding or filling liquid urea.