The Optare Soroco was a step‑entrance minicoach body produced by British manufacturer Optare between 2008 and 2012. It was designed to be mounted on compact van-derived chassis, most commonly the Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter, combining the maneuverability of a van with the passenger comfort of a small coach.
Characteristics and design
As a minicoach body the Soroco emphasized a raised passenger floor with stepped entry rather than a low‑floor layout. Typical characteristics included a single front passenger doorway, coach-style seating and glazing to give better outward visibility, and a driver area separated from the saloon. The body aimed to offer a coach-like interior in a smaller, more economical package than full‑size coaches.
Chassis and engineering
Optare built the Soroco to fit van-derived platforms such as the well‑known Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter. That chassis provided a widely used base for minicoaches and conversions because of its availability, service network and mechanical commonality with light commercial models. A separate reference to the chassis type is often given as the Sprinter chassis.
Uses and operators
Operators typically used the Soroco for private hire work, small group tours, hotel and airport shuttles, community transport and school runs where a full‑size coach would be uneconomical. Its compact size made it suitable for narrow streets and locations with limited parking while still providing coach‑style comfort for passengers on short to medium trips.
Distinctions and legacy
- Step‑entrance layout: prioritised traditional coach seating over full accessibility found on low‑floor minibuses.
- Intermediate role: sat between simple high‑roof vans and larger dedicated coaches in capacity and operating cost.
- Market context: production ran for a relatively short period (2008–2012) as demand and accessibility regulations encouraged alternative designs.
Today the Soroco is remembered as one of several small coach bodies that bridged the gap between vans and full‑size coaches. Its use of a common chassis platform and straightforward configuration made it a practical choice for many small operators during its production run.