IC Bus FE Series
School bus model
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The IC Bus FE Series, also known as the IC FE, is a school bus that is manufactured by IC Bus, a subsidiary of Navistar International.[1] Originally introduced in 1990 as the Ward Senator, it is primarily used in school bus applications, as well as some commercial applications.[2] IC Bus manufactures the FE in Conway, Arkansas; this facility is now closed. In April 2010, IC Bus removed the IC FE product literature from its website as dealers announced its discontinuation.
| IC Bus FE Series | |
|---|---|
| |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | IC Bus (Navistar) |
| Production | 1990–2010 |
| Assembly | United States: Conway, Arkansas |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Type D (transit-style) |
| Body style | Body-on-frame
|
| Chassis | International 3900 |
| Related | 3900 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Navistar DT 466 210–255 hp (1990–2007) Navistar MaxxForce DT 210–255 hp (2007–2010) |
| Capacity | 42–84 |
| Transmission | Allison PTS 2500 5-speed automatic (standard) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 26'3" – 37'6" |
| Width | 96 in (2,438 mm) |
| Curb weight | 29,500–37,000 lb (13,381–16,783 kg) (GVWR) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ward President (c. 1975–1990) |
Design history
For the 1990 model year, AmTran introduced the Ward Senator, a successor to the President. In 1992, the model was renamed as the AmTran Genesis.[3] By the mid-1990s, AmTran became the sole user of the 3900.
In 1999, AmTran redesigned its forward control school bus, named the AmTran FE. Sharing a common body design with the RE, the all-new FE is designed with a careful eye on the details that exceed the expectations of today’s school bus drivers, owners and technicians.[4]
For the 2001 model year, the FE began to use the "International" branding like the IC.[5] In 2002, for the 2003 model year, the company was renamed "IC Corporation" and the model was renamed "IC FE".[6] Also, the warning light caps and the back were redesigned. It would later also be updated in 2008. In 2010, production of front-engine bus chassis was discontinued.
Unlike the RE, the FE was only sold with inline-6 engines (300-series designation), those being the DT466E and MaxxForce DT due to its chassis design.
