Blue Bird Vision
Encyclopedia
The Blue Bird Vision, first introduced in 2003, is a Type C "conventional" school bus
manufactured by Blue Bird Corporation. It is built on a chassis designed and supplied in-house by Blue Bird. The Vision is available in various seating configurations between 36 and 77 passengers.
chassis. The new-generation medium-duty Fords had yet to find a body supplier. Blue Bird's 10-year agreement with General Motors to become the standard supplier for the Blue Bird Conventional expired in 2003, which left the company anxious to find a Navistar chassis alternative (Freightliner
, the parent company of competitor Thomas Built Buses, pulled its chassis supply). A prototype on an F-650 chassis was developed with new features unseen on conventional school buses.
The Blue Bird/Ford prototype was most notable for the introduction of a wide-angle Fresnel lens
to improve driver sightlines in the loading/unloading zone around the entry door. However, the Blue Bird/Ford prototypes would not end in an a supply agreement with Ford.
Although the Blue Bird/Ford never reached production, the body design of the Vision would carry over several features from the prototype. It features a patented "Safety View Vision Panel." This small window, utilizing a wide-angle Fresnel lens
, allows the bus driver to see the critical loading/unloading zone.
, General Motors
, and Navistar International
. The Vision was (and is) still unique among school bus manufacturers for using a proprietary chassis for a Type C (conventional) school bus; in the past, in-house chassis have only been manufactured for transit style school buses. As such, the Vision features a sharply angled hood
for better forward visibility; no outside firms had any influence in its design.
The Vision featured a 50° wheel cut, for improved maneuverability over previous Type C buses. The instrument panel featured large back-lit gauges and switches. The Blue Bird "Handy Bus" option package specified wheelchair lifts and flat-floor interiors. The Vision was also available in standard or high headroom.
From 2003 to 2005, the Vision came with the Caterpillar
C7 engine as standard equipment, and in 2006, the Cummins ISB
became an option.
In 2009, the Vision became the first school bus (from the factory) to be equipped with a propane-fueled powertrain. Propane-powered Visions are powered by the General Motors 8.1L Vortec V8. Previously, school buses fueled by propane were aftermarket conversions (typically of the Chevrolet/GMC B-Series
bus chassis).
Propane
The Vision's propane option is currently the only original-equipment propane-powered full-size school bus in the industry. In the past, propane-fueled school buses were second-party conversions of gasoline engines.
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
manufactured by Blue Bird Corporation. It is built on a chassis designed and supplied in-house by Blue Bird. The Vision is available in various seating configurations between 36 and 77 passengers.
Design History
In 2002, Blue Bird was undergoing development of several prototypes of a conventional-body school bus on a Ford medium-dutyFord F-650
The Ford F-650/F-750 Super Duty are medium-duty commercial trucks produced by Ford Motor Company. They were introduced by Ford in 2000, replacing the previous-generation F-600, F-700, and F-800 trucks introduced in 1980. They are made mainly for use as utilitarian trucks for towing, heavy hauling,...
chassis. The new-generation medium-duty Fords had yet to find a body supplier. Blue Bird's 10-year agreement with General Motors to become the standard supplier for the Blue Bird Conventional expired in 2003, which left the company anxious to find a Navistar chassis alternative (Freightliner
Freightliner Trucks
Freightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG...
, the parent company of competitor Thomas Built Buses, pulled its chassis supply). A prototype on an F-650 chassis was developed with new features unseen on conventional school buses.
The Blue Bird/Ford prototype was most notable for the introduction of a wide-angle Fresnel lens
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens is a type of lens originally developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel for lighthouses.The design allows the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a lens of conventional design...
to improve driver sightlines in the loading/unloading zone around the entry door. However, the Blue Bird/Ford prototypes would not end in an a supply agreement with Ford.
Although the Blue Bird/Ford never reached production, the body design of the Vision would carry over several features from the prototype. It features a patented "Safety View Vision Panel." This small window, utilizing a wide-angle Fresnel lens
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens is a type of lens originally developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel for lighthouses.The design allows the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a lens of conventional design...
, allows the bus driver to see the critical loading/unloading zone.
First generation (2003-2007)
The first-generation Vision was introduced in 2003 as the replacement for the Blue Bird Conventional/CV200 school bus, which utilized third-party chassis from FreightlinerFreightliner Trucks
Freightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG...
, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, and Navistar International
Navistar International
Navistar International Corporation is a United States-based holding company that owns the manufacturer of International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus school and commercial buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label...
. The Vision was (and is) still unique among school bus manufacturers for using a proprietary chassis for a Type C (conventional) school bus; in the past, in-house chassis have only been manufactured for transit style school buses. As such, the Vision features a sharply angled hood
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
for better forward visibility; no outside firms had any influence in its design.
The Vision featured a 50° wheel cut, for improved maneuverability over previous Type C buses. The instrument panel featured large back-lit gauges and switches. The Blue Bird "Handy Bus" option package specified wheelchair lifts and flat-floor interiors. The Vision was also available in standard or high headroom.
From 2003 to 2005, the Vision came with the Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
C7 engine as standard equipment, and in 2006, the Cummins ISB
Cummins B Series engine
The Cummins B Series is a family of straight-four and straight-6 diesel truck and industrial piston engines manufactured by Cummins. The B Series is known for displacing "one liter per cylinder" because of the popular straight-four and straight-six. A straight-four is also available...
became an option.
Second generation (2008-present)
For the 2008 model year, Blue Bird updated the exterior body design of the Vision. The sharply angled hood was replaced with a rounded design that offered a larger grille. The halogen headlights were replaced with a composite design. Inside, the driver's compartment was redesigned with a new steering column, instrument panel, and control panels. Along with the traditional manual and air-powered service doors, an electric-powered service door became an option. It is also equipped with a patented Safety View™ Vision Panel which increases the driver’s view at the critical lower right front loading/unloading zone and adds a new level of safety to the Type C School Bus.In 2009, the Vision became the first school bus (from the factory) to be equipped with a propane-fueled powertrain. Propane-powered Visions are powered by the General Motors 8.1L Vortec V8. Previously, school buses fueled by propane were aftermarket conversions (typically of the Chevrolet/GMC B-Series
GMC B-Series
The Chevrolet and GMC B-Series was a Class 7 medium duty cowled chassis produced by General Motors for the school bus industry. The B-Series was introduced for the 1966 model year...
bus chassis).
| Vision Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 36-77 |
| Overall Length (inches) | 289–471 in (7.3–12 m) |
| Body Width (exterior) | 96 inches (2.4 m) |
| Body Height | 124–127 in (3.1–3.2 m) |
| Wheelbase | 189–273 in (4.8–6.9 m) |
| Interior Headroom | 74–77 in (1.9–2 m) |
| GVWR | Up to 31000 pounds (14,061.4 kg) |
| Fuel Type(s) |
|
| Engine |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Brakes |
|
Powertrain
Diesel- Caterpillar C7 (discontinued in 2009)
- Cummins ISB-07 (6.7L)
Propane
The Vision's propane option is currently the only original-equipment propane-powered full-size school bus in the industry. In the past, propane-fueled school buses were second-party conversions of gasoline engines.
- GMGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
8.1L Vortec V8 (discontinued 2011) - FordFord Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
6.8L V10
Comparable products
- IC Bus CE-Series
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2