EMERGENCY service vehicles could soon have a new look and be made stronger thanks to a chassis developed by a Swindon company.

MAN TGE created an ultra-low floor architecture (ULFA) design which forms part of a series of concepts for the next generation of ambulances, police support units, and search and rescue vehicles.

By using the ULFA platform, emergency service vehicle specialist VCS has introduced Europe's first five-ton front-wheel drive, single rear wheel modular ambulance which is designed specifically for St John Ambulance.

The company hopes it can use the MAN TGE design along with help from sister company Promech Technologies to develop a new and improved range of box-body response vehicles with an unprecedented combination of strength, versatility and accessibility.

TGE international and national key account manager at MAN Truck and Bus Ltd, Daniel George said: “Working on this complex and ground-breaking vehicle, with both VCS and St John Ambulance, has been an absolute joy.

"It was obvious at the initial planning stage that there was a collective meeting of minds and an open culture of partnering each other through the complex build process. The end result is a stunning bespoke design and a true made to measure vehicle.”

The durable construction of the ULFA platform, combined with the load-lugging ability of the MAN TGE means that VCS vehicles using this architecture will be able to carry exceptionally heavy loads.

The design gives VCS the ability to create a wider range of different makes and models as it cna increase the amount of available inside the space without making the vehicles taller.

This opens up possibilities in specialist care ambulances and a wider range of armoured policing vehicles.

VCS managing director Mark Kerrigan said: “This opens up a world of possibilities to both ambulance and police services, offering a solution that offers greater versatility while retaining our core values of lightweight and quality engineering.

"It has a great deal of potential and we look forward to unlocking this with several new low-floor vehicles in the near future.”

St John Ambulance national fleet manager Rob Macintosh said “The ambulance market has been looking for a five-tonne alternative to a custom-built box body with tail lift entry for a long time.

"I’m delighted that our partnership with VCS and MAN has found the solution. The new ambulance’s low floor entrance, single rear wheel and box body is truly market-leading in the five-tonne C1 vehicle category and opens up future potential on so many levels.”