New Bus for London: Your New Routemaster questions answered

It's 2012 and, providing the world doesn't end in a cataclysmic fireball, Britain's capital will soon be teeming with an updated, high-tech version of the Routemaster bus, known as the New Bus for London or NBfL.

It's a rubbish name, but an awesome piece of kit, we think you'll agree. But to many, it's shrouded in mystery. That's why we figured we'd take a break from stockpiling canned goods to answer some of the most pertinent questions about the NBfL.

Here, we'll fill you in on everything from its hybrid-style propulsion system to its fancy, twin staircase-toting interior. So, if you're sitting comfortably -- and you've had a look through the photo gallery above -- we'll begin. 

What is it and who created the thing?

The New Bus for London was conceived when, in September 2007, cartoon-haired then-mayoral candidate Boris Johnson told the world he wanted to scrap the hated bendy bus and introduce a modern-day Routemaster.

Boris' vision gained huge support from many corners, including Autocar. The publication commissioned bus designer Capoco to pen a hybrid re-imagining of the iconic vehicle and later presented that design to Johnson himself. Two months after winning the election in May 2008, Beej announced a competition that allowed companies and ordinary folk to brainstorm a New Bus for London.

The

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