The MAN NL202 was a low-floor single-decker bus built by MAN Nutzfahrzeuge from the late 1980s until 1998. It followed the VöV SL-II standard and was developed through the NL 202(2) of 1992 into the NL 222, NL 262 and NL 312.
MAN NL202 at a glance
| Production | late 1980s–1998 |
|---|---|
| Class | low-floor single-decker city bus |
| Standard | derived from the VöV SL-II bus |
| Second series | NL 202(2), internal code A10, from 1992 |
| Doors | two or three |
| CNG versions | NL 232 CNG (A15) and NL 233 CNG |
| Euro 2 versions | NL 222, NL 262 and NL 312 from 1995 |
| Articulated version | MAN NG 272 and NG 272(2) |
| Successor | MAN A21 (NL 223 and NL 263) from 1997 |
The English article covers the original NL202, the German one the NL 202(2); this page combines both. No suitable free photos were found.
History of the MAN NL202
The NL202 was MAN’s low-floor single-decker of the late 1980s, derived from the VöV SL-II bus standard. It had a fully low floor with seats mounted on platforms, similar to the later NL 262 and the Mercedes-Benz O405N, and was sold mainly in Europe, especially in Germany. It was also sold in South Australia in diesel and compressed natural gas versions, the gas buses still being used in significant numbers.
The A10 generation
In 1992 the NL 202(2) replaced the original NL 202 and carried the new internal code MAN A10. It looked much like the NL 202, but the seats in the front section up to the middle door were mounted on lower platforms and the lower line of the left side windows had a bend at the pram space opposite the middle door. It was still treated as a separate series and, like its predecessor, was available with two or three doors. An articulated version existed as the MAN NG 272(2). A natural gas version was developed in 1994 as the NL 232 CNG (A15), followed by the NL 233 CNG.
Later versions
From 1995 Euro 2 engines were fitted and the type names changed accordingly to NL 222, NL 262 and NL 312. In 1997 these were replaced by the MAN A21, the NL 223 and NL 263, and production ended in 1998. The NL 202, NL 222, NL 262 and NL 312 have since been retired by most operators.
Design and features
- Low floor: a fully low-floor interior with seats on platforms, derived from the VöV SL-II standard.
- Two series: the original NL 202 and the 1992 NL 202(2), internally the A10.
- Gas versions: the NL 232 CNG and NL 233 CNG.
- Articulated relative: the NG 272 and NG 272(2) shared the design.
MAN NL202 versions
- NL 202: the original low-floor bus of the late 1980s.
- NL 202(2): the A10 generation from 1992.
- NL 232 CNG and NL 233 CNG: natural gas versions.
- NL 222, NL 262 and NL 312: Euro 2 versions from 1995.
- NG 272(2): the articulated version.
The articulated version is described in the MAN NG272 article, and the previous standard bus in the MAN SL202 article. More MAN buses are in the MAN collection.
Video: [Sound] Bus MAN NL 202 | NE-AC 8004 | Omnibusbetrieb Caillard GmbH, Dormagen (Kreis Neuss)
Video by Gumble444 on YouTube.
Sources
- MAN NL202, English Wikipedia: production, low-floor layout, exports
- MAN NL 202(2), German Wikipedia: A10 generation, CNG versions, Euro 2 names
