These days, natural gas buses are being actively introduced in Korea. Currently, more than 1,000 natural gas buses are operating nationwide. The operating models include Hyundai’s Super Aero City and Daewoo’s BS106 (Royal City).

In this situation, Daewoo Motors has recently developed a medium-sized natural gas bus.

Now, let’s begin the story of how the Royal MIDI was transformed into a natural gas bus. With the same front design as the Royal City, the newly released Royal MIDI NGV is introduced to you.

BS090 (Royal MIDI) NGV Medium-Sized Natural Gas Bus

Planned by: BusLife
Written by: Won-Ho Choi
Data support: Daewoo Motors Commercial Vehicle Export Team (Seung-Hyun Song)
Published: March 16, 2002

This is the very first domestic report on the BS090 NGV. Shall we take a look?

First, let’s examine the exterior of the BS090 NGV.

The first detail to note is the font. Although not very different from the previous font, it has been replaced with the Natural Gas Bus and NGV mark instead of the Royal MIDI font. Previously, it was marked “Royal MIDI” under BM090, but now it shows the “Natural Gas Bus” font. Daewoo Motors will soon rename BM090 to BS090.

Looking at the picture on the right, the base paint scheme adopts the Incheon NGV bus livery. Of course, if the bus is delivered to a Seoul city bus company, it will naturally receive the Seoul city color scheme.

Judging by the appearance, it may be more appropriate to call it a Royal City Shortbody rather than Royal MIDI.

The previous Royal MIDI had a “bald” front design resembling an intercity bus, but the new Royal MIDI NGV inherits the front design of the Royal City exactly.

As shown in the left image, the same destination sign as the Royal City is installed. The headlights are also identical to those of the Royal City.

From the front view alone, it is difficult to tell whether it is a Royal City or a Royal MIDI.

Now let’s turn to the rear. The engine room door has a different type of grille compared to previous models, but otherwise, it looks similar to the Royal City or Royal MIDI.

Opening the engine room reveals the GE08Ti engine, installed in the Royal MIDI NGV. The previous Royal MIDI was fitted with a DE08Ti engine, so you can guess the horsepower. The output is 240 horsepower, and it is equipped with a turbo intercooler, which many bus enthusiasts may have already expected.

This leads to another thought: just as the DE08Ti engine is an option for the Royal City, perhaps this GE08Ti engine could also become an option for the Royal City NGV. Did you think the same as I did?

The interior of the bus is shown on the left. Since it is shorter than the Royal City, the seating capacity is up to 24 passengers, with an optional 20-seat configuration.

The driver’s seat does not differ much from existing vehicles. The only change is the addition of a switch that allows the driver to cut off the gas supply.

Gas cylinders are installed under the floor, with six as standard, and no additional cylinders can be added. Since Korean buses already mount air-conditioning units on the roof, there is no room for gas cylinders there, making underfloor mounting necessary.

Other than this, there are no major differences. Since this is not a completely new bus model, anyone expecting something entirely new may be disappointed. The most notable feature is the front destination sign. The Royal MIDI seems to have sold well enough that it has now been developed into an urban bus model. Still, with only a few CNG refueling stations available, it is unlikely that tour or intercity bus companies will purchase this bus yet.

So far, no bus operator has purchased the Royal MIDI NGV. Which company will be the first?

I am eager to hear the engine sound. I have a feeling the Royal MIDI’s signature whistle-like sound will be even louder.

Now let’s look at the vehicle specifications.

The vehicle specifications are as shown above. Most of you probably understood the details, but let me add one last explanation.

It concerns the seating layout.

The figure above shows the 24+1 seating layout: 1 driver seat, 7 single seats (7 passengers), 6 double seats (12 passengers), and one 5-seat rear bench (5 passengers), giving 24 passenger seats + 1 driver seat.
The optional 20+1 seating layout includes 1 driver seat, 11 single seats, 2 double seats (4 passengers), and one 5-seat bench, totaling 20 passenger seats + 1 driver seat.