The Prevost X3-45 is the current model of the X-Series, a family of motorcoaches and conversion shells built in Quebec. It arrived in 2006 as the third generation of the wide-body line that started with the XL Series in 1984, and it is offered as an intercity coach, a commuter bus and an unfinished shell for luxury motorhomes.
Prevost X3-45 at a glance
| Maker | Prevost Car, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Type | intercity coach, commuter bus and conversion shell |
| Line began | 1984, with the wide-body XL Series |
| XL-45 | 1992, the first 45-foot model |
| Second generation | LeMirage XL-II, 2000 |
| X3-45 | 2006 |
| Length | 45 ft (13.72 m) |
| Width | 101.5 in (2.58 m) |
| Height | 133.875 in (3.40 m) |
| Wheelbase | 334.5 in (8.50 m) |
| Engine | Volvo D13 diesel |
| Gearbox | Allison World Bus six-speed automatic |
| Interior height | 79.5–80 in (2.02–2.03 m) |
| Underfloor storage | 380–406 cu ft (10.8–11.5 m3) |
The X-Series article covers the X3-45 and the XL generations that led to it; the XL-45 Entertainer and Marathon XL records merged into this page.
History of the Prevost X3-45
The XL Series
The X-Series traces its ancestry to 1984, when Prevost moved to the North American standard width of 102 in (2,600 mm) and launched the XL Series. It contained three 40-foot coaches: the LeMirage XL, the Marathon XL stripped-down variant for economical intercity work, and the Astral XL, a premium sightseeing coach with glass roof panels above the passengers.
XL-45 and XL-II
A 45-foot model, the XL-45, appeared in 1992, partly to compete with the MCI D-Series. The second generation arrived in 2000 as the XL-II series, with both XLII-40 and XLII-45 models. The XLII can be told from the earlier XL coaches at a glance: the fluted stainless steel cladding along the lower body was dropped, and the side windows were set with flush glazing.
The X3-45
The third generation was released in 2006 as the X3-45, which competes with the MCI D-Series. In 2011 a transit version, the X3-45 Commuter, joined the range, and in 2019 the styling and chassis were updated, with the most visible changes around the headlights. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded Prevost a contract in 2019 for up to 330 X3-45 Commuter buses, assembled at the Volvo Buses factory in Plattsburgh, New York, which Prevost shared with Nova Bus; production there ended by the close of 2022 and moved back to Quebec.
On the road
The X3-45 uses a Volvo D13 diesel engine and an Allison “World Bus” six-speed automatic transmission. Seated passenger versions offer 79.5–80 in (2.02–2.03 m) of interior height and 380–406 cu ft (10.8–11.5 m3) of luggage space under the floor. In a published test over a standard route mixing downtown, arterial and commuter running, fuel consumption was 3.77 mpg-US (62.4 l/100 km).
Design and features
- Three body styles: the X3-45 intercity coach, the X3-45 Commuter transit bus and the X3-45 VIP conversion shell.
- Volvo driveline: a Volvo D13 diesel with an Allison World Bus six-speed automatic.
- Flush glazing: a second-generation XL-II change that carried over to the X3-45.
- Transit option: a commuter configuration offered since 2011, with New York City Transit as launch customer.
- Conversion shells: the VIP Specialty and VIP Entertainer versions are finished by upfitters.
Prevost X3-45 versions
- LeMirage XL (1984): the first wide-body coach of the line.
- Marathon XL and Astral XL (1984): economical intercity and glass-roof touring versions.
- XL-45 (1992): the first 45-foot model, and the XL-45 Entertainer.
- LeMirage XL-II (2000): second generation with flush glazing, in XLII-40 and XLII-45 lengths.
- X3-45 (2006–): the current intercity coach, restyled in 2019.
- X3-45 Commuter and VIP (from 2011): transit bus and conversion shell versions.
The X3-45 shares the Quebec factory with the H3-45, and its line began with the LeMirage. The company’s earlier coaches are described in the Prevost history, with more pictures in the Prevost collection.
Video: Marathon Coach 2015 Show Coach #1217, Prevost X3-45 Double Slide
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Prevost X-Series, English Wikipedia: dimensions, models, XL history, MTA contract, fuel consumption
- Prevost (bus manufacturer), English Wikipedia: XL-II, X3-45 dates, commuter version, company background
