{{short description|High-floor rear-engine Ikarus coach}} {{Infobox UK Bus |background = |name = Ikarus 55 |image = Ikarus 55.JPG |imagesize = |caption = Ikarus 55 |manufacturer = Ikarus |factory = Szeged |replaced = |capacity = 32–44 passengers, seated |operator = Hungary |length = {{convert|11400|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}} |width = {{convert|2500|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}} |height = {{convert|2900|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}} |wheelbase = {{convert|5550|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}} |floortype = High-floor |doors = Two |weight = {{convert|9500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |chassis = Semi-self-supporting |engine = Csepel D-614 (straight-six, Diesel) |powerout = {{cvt|107|kW|hp}} |transmission = 5+1 manual gearbox |predecessor = none |successor = Ikarus 256 |related = Ikarus 66 |sp = uk }}
The '''Ikarus 55''' is a high-floor coach designated for long-distance as well as interurban traffic, and the first rear-engine Ikarus bus. It was made from 1952 to 1973, alongside the technically related Ikarus 66, by the Hungarian bus maker Ikarus. In total, 8,350 Ikarus 55 and 66 were delivered to East Germany.<ref name="O305" />
== Technical description == thumb|left|Ikarus 55, rear view
Designed as a high-floor two-axle bus, the Ikarus 55 has a semi-self supporting body, with the engine installed behind the rear seats at the back. Both front and rear axles are leaf-sprung beam axles, with the rear axle being a live planetary axle. Only the front axle has hydraulic shock absorbers. Twin tyres are fitted on the rear axle, whilst single tyres are fitted on the front axle. Their dimension is {{convert|11–20|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}. The steering system is fully mechanical and not power assisted. A pneumatic braking system is installed, all four wheels have drum brakes. The parking brake is foot-operated.<ref name="O308" />
The Ikarus 55 is powered by a water-cooled, naturally aspirated, {{convert|8.3|L|cuin|adj=on}} Csepel D-614 swirl chamber injected straight-six Diesel engine.<ref name="O308" /> This engine is a modified Steyr WD 613 engine with an enlarged cylinder bore, that was built under licence by Csepel.<ref name="Zuckerfabrik" /> It is rated DIN {{convert|145|PS|kW hp|abbr=on|lk=in}} with a maximum torque of {{convert|50|kpm|Nm|0|abbr=on}}. The torque is transmitted to a partial synchromesh five-speed gearbox via a single-disc dry clutch. Depending on the gear ratio, the top speed is in between {{convert|78 and 98|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="O308" /> The engine's best fuel consumption is rated approximately 190 g·PS<sup>−1</sup>·h<sup>−1</sup> (258 g·kW<sup>−1</sup>·h<sup>−1</sup>)<ref name="Zuckerfabrik2" />
== Bibliography ==
* {{Citation | author-link = Werner Oswald (writer) | last = Oswald | first = Werner | year =2000 | edition=2nd | title =Kraftfahrzeuge der DDR | publisher = Motorbuch-Verlag | location = Stuttgart | language = German | isbn = 3-613-01913-2}}
== References ==
<references> <ref name="O305">{{Harvnb|Oswald|2000}}. p 305</ref> <ref name="O308">{{Harvnb|Oswald|2000}}. p 308</ref> <ref name="Zuckerfabrik">Ferdinand M. Lanner (auth.): ''[http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/steyrpuch/steyr13_1.htm#csepel Steyr Dieselmotoren ab 1947 - WD 113 bis WD 613]'', in Zuckerfabrik24, retrieved 15 May 2019 (in German)</ref> <ref name="Zuckerfabrik2">Ferdinand M. Lanner (ed.): ''[http://www.zuckerfabrik24.de/steyrpuch/picst/csm_p14.jpg Csepel D 614 power, torque, and fuel consumption diagram]'', (ca. 1964), in Zuckerfabrik24, retrieved 15 May 2019 (in Hungarian)</ref> </references>
== External links == *{{Commons category-inline}} *{{Portal-inline|Buses}}
{{Ikarus Buses}}
Category:Ikarus buses Category:Coaches (bus) Category:Step-entrance buses Category:Vehicles introduced in 1952