d ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

You forget that all RMs were re-engined within the last decade or so,
hence the Euro2 compliance.

Re-engined does not mean they have brand-new engine designs. The
amount of legacy requirements for any engine replacement for such an
old vehicle would mean it can never be 100% new.

Wrong. They were retro-fitted with then-current-design Scania or Cummins
engines.

And, not forgetting bendy busses are FAR more
aerodynamic than RMs, even with their flat fronts (as only one floor
is having to cut through the air, as opposed to the RM's two.

FFS, what speed are buses DOING round you? Aerodynamics really don't make
much of a difference at urban bus speeds.

"Wasted time and fuel in traffic"? Bendy busses can overtake
traffic RMs would struggle to.

Indeed. But the excessive length makes for big problems elsewhen.

Sure, if they were going down Lombard in San Francisco, they might
have some problems.

Or turning right at crowded London junctions. Or trying to fit into bus
stops next to some pillock's illegally parked van.

Doing the same with a worse-performing engine and heavy-weight chassis
quickly uses a lot of fuel, too.

Indeed. Heavy weight. 18ton vs 8ton.