The MCI E4500 was introduced in 1998 as the 102-EL3 and sold as the Renaissance. It was a new coach meant to compete with the Prevost H-Series, with an all-new body and technologies that MCI had not used before; it was renamed E4500 in 2001 and stayed in production until 2013.
MCI E4500 at a glance
| Introduced as | 102-EL3, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Renaissance |
| Renamed | E4500 in 2001 |
| Production | 1998–2013 |
| Length | about 45.6 ft |
| Width | 102 in |
| Body | all-new design by Designworks |
| New features | curved stepwell, steerable tag axle, electronically controlled air suspension, disc brakes |
| Luxury version | E4500LX, from 2005 |
| Competitor | Prevost H-Series |
History of the MCI E4500
A new coach for a new rival
In 1998 MCI introduced the 102-EL3, also known as the Renaissance, to compete with the Prevost H-Series. It had an all-new body designed by Designworks and introduced several features new to MCI coaches: a curved stepwell, a steerable tag axle, electronically controlled air suspension and disc brakes. The development was rushed, and some of those systems proved unreliable at first.
A companion model
The early problems with the E-Series led MCI to develop a companion model, the J-Series of 2001, which kept most of the Designworks body but left out many of the new on-board technologies to offer a cheaper coach. In the same year the 102-EL3 was renamed E4500, bringing it into line with MCI’s new naming system. A top-of-the-line luxury version, the E4500LX, was added in 2005.
Quiet retirement
The E4500 remained in production until 2013, when the J-Series was facelifted with new headlights, a more squared-off body and a steerable tag axle. With those features the J-Series took over the E-Series’ place in the range, and the E4500 was quietly discontinued after 15 years.
Design and features
- Designworks body: an all-new shape, not a development of the D-Series.
- Curved stepwell: a feature introduced on this coach.
- Steerable tag axle: later carried over to the facelifted J-Series.
- Air suspension and disc brakes: electronically controlled suspension and discs all round.
- E4500LX: a luxury version offered from 2005.
MCI E4500 versions
- 102-EL3 / E4500 (1998–2013): the standard coach.
- E4500LX (2005): top-of-the-line luxury version.
- J-Series (2001): the cheaper companion model built on the same body.
The companion coach is described in MCI J4500, and the intercity D-Series in MCI D4500. More coaches are in the MCI collection.
Video: 2003 MCI E4500 commuter coach
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- MCI J-Series, English Wikipedia: development of the E-Series, features
- Motor Coach Industries, English Wikipedia: production years, E4500LX, naming
