| Mellor Orion | |
|---|---|
 A 2016 Mellor Orion operated by Wanderbus | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bluebird Vehicles (2011–2014) Mellor Coachcraft (2014–) |
| Production | 2011– |
| Assembly | Scarborough, North Yorkshire; Rochdale, Greater Manchester |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Single-decker bus |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Doors | 1 |
| Floor type | Low-floor |
| Chassis | Fiat Ducato |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 180 bhp (130 kW) Iveco F1AE3481E diesel |
| Electric motor | 1x 96 kW Mellor motor (Orion E) |
| Capacity | 192 kWh (Orion E) |
| Transmission | 8-speed fully automatic 6-speed manual 7.3:1 ratio E-Gear (Orion E) |
| Battery | 2x 96kWh lithium–iron phosphate packs (Orion E) |
| Electric range | 100 mi (160 km) (Orion E) |
| Plug-in charging | 400 volts AC, 32 amps (4.25 hours to full charge) (Orion E) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 4.890 m (16.04 ft) |
| Length | 7.497 to 7.797 m (24.60 to 25.58 ft) |
| Width | 2.200 m (7.22 ft) |
| Height | 2.645 m (8.68 ft) |
| Kerb weight | 5,000 kg (5.0 t), GVW |
The Mellor Orion (previously known as the Bluebird Orion) is a minibus body manufactured on Fiat Ducato chassis since 2011, introduced by Bluebird Vehicles and subsequently built by Mellor Coachcraft since 2014. Several variants are produced, including the long-wheelbase Orion Plus and the fully electric Orion E.[1] In 2021, Mellor launched an updated version known as the Orion Evolution.[2]
An eight-seater private hire taxi variant, known as the Mellor Pico, was launched in 2019 on short-wheelbase Fiat Ducato chassis.
- ^ Orchard, Rob (4 August 2015). "The Mellor Orion service bus". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "New minibus launched as Mellor announces investment". Transport Engineer. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.