Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Thomas Built Buses (Freightliner) |
Production | 2004–present |
Assembly | Gaffney, South Carolina |
Designer | John M. Mellberg |
Body and chassis | |
Chassis | Freightliner M2 |
Related | Freightliner M2 106 |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Capacity | 14–81 |
Transmission | 2-speed automatic (Jouley)[1] |
Battery | 226 kWh (Jouley)[2] |
Plug-in charging | Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) |
Dimensions | |
Width | 96 in (2,438 mm) |
Curb weight | 18,000–35,000 lb (8,165–15,876 kg) (GVWR) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor |
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The Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 (often shortened to Thomas C2) is a cowled-chassis bus manufactured by bus body manufacturer Thomas Built Buses. Introduced in 2004, the vehicle is produced primarily as a school bus; other configurations of the model line were developed for commercial use and specialty configurations.
The model line uses the Freightliner C2 chassis, derived from the 2002–2022 Business Class M2 medium-duty truck. Thomas developed the C2 to replace both the previous Saf-T-Liner Conventional and Saf-T-Liner FS-65 conventionals; the latter was produced concurrently with the C2 until December 2006.[3] While produced with a full-length hood, the C2 adopted other design elements of the 1990s Thomas Vista conventional to improve loading-zone visibility.
Alongside its distinctive exterior, the C2 is also available in up to 81-passenger capacity, the largest of any conventional-type school bus in North America.[4]
Thomas manufactures the C2 in a dedicated facility in High Point, North Carolina while the chassis is built in Gaffney, South Carolina.[5]