Details of Cars

MAN A12 (EL 202): MAN’s low-entry suburban bus

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MAN EL 202 of MKS Skarżysko-Kamienna
A MAN EL 202 of MKS Skarżysko-Kamienna. Photo by Karol Szapsza, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The MAN A12 was the internal name of the MAN EL 202, a low-entry bus introduced in 1992. It was based on the NL 202, intended for suburban traffic and eastern European markets, and was marketed as the Europa-Bus.

MAN A12 at a glance

MAN A12 (EL 202) at a glance
Introduced 1992
Internal code MAN A12
Sales name EL 202, marketed as Europa-Bus
Class low-entry suburban bus
Based on MAN NL 202
Doors two or three double doors
Engines at launch 214, 230 or 250 hp
Euro 2 versions EL 222 (220 hp), EL 262 (260 hp), EL 312 (310 hp) from 1995
Successor EL 263/273/283/293 (MAN A78), sold as Lion’s City LE

The bus has no English Wikipedia article; this page is written from the German one, which describes it under the internal code A12.

History of the MAN A12

Despite the trend towards lower floors, MAN added the low-entry EL 202 to its range in 1992, internally the MAN A12. It was based on the first version of the low-floor NL 202, from which it was hardly distinguishable outside, but it had a step at every entrance door and all seats were placed on platforms. It was available with two or three double doors. The EL 202 was intended for suburban traffic and for eastern European markets with poorer roads, and MAN marketed it as the Europa-Bus.

MAN EL 202 in Lviv
A MAN EL 202 in Lviv. Photo by Anatoliy-024, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Operators and engines

In Germany the bus was mostly used by medium-sized operators on contract work, or by larger companies on regional services such as Autokraft, Kraftverkehrsgesellschaft Braunschweig, Regionalverkehr Münsterland, Regionalverkehr Köln and Regionalverkehr Kurhessen. At first it could be ordered with engines of 214, 230 or 250 hp. When Euro 2 engines were introduced in 1995, the output was included in the type name: the bus became the EL 222 with 220 hp, the EL 262 with 260 hp and the EL 312 with 310 hp.

Successor

The EL 202 was replaced by the EL 263, 273, 283 and 293 (MAN A78), which was marketed as the Lion’s City LE.

Design and features

  • Low-entry layout: a step at every door and all seats on platforms, unlike the low-floor NL 202.
  • Europa-Bus: intended for suburban routes and poorer roads in eastern Europe.
  • Engine range: 214 to 250 hp at launch, 220 to 310 hp with the Euro 2 versions.
  • Step to Lion’s City: the A78 successor was sold as the Lion’s City LE.

MAN A12 versions

  • EL 202 (A12): the 1992 original with 214, 230 or 250 hp.
  • EL 222: 220 hp Euro 2 version from 1995.
  • EL 262: 260 hp Euro 2 version.
  • EL 312: 310 hp Euro 2 version.
  • Two- and three-door bodies: both were available.

The A12 was based on the MAN NL202, and its successor was sold as the MAN Lion’s City LE. More MAN buses are in the MAN collection.

Sources

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