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The '''Swift''' was a [[midibus]] chassis built by [[Leyland Bus|Leyland]] from 1987, sharing many components with the [[Roadrunner]] light truck but with the engine relocated to behind the front axle which was itself set back to permit a passenger entrance in the front overhang. Mechanically a 6-cylinder [[Cummins]] turbo-diesel powerplant was standard with the choice of [[Manual transmission|synchromesh]] or [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] [[automatic transmission|automatic gearboxes]].It was available in a choice of Short Wheelbase (3.6M) or Long Wheelbase (4.4M).
A number of coachbuilders produced bodies on the Swift with [[Wadham Stringer]] enjoying healthy sales with a very tidy adaptation of its Vanguard II body. The [[Reeve Burgess]] Harrier was also popular, while [[Wrightbus|Wright]] of Northern Ireland produced two distinct designs and [[Elme 2001]] of Portugal supplied a number to [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] specification and also to Welfare specification with a centrally mounted underfloor wheelchair lift. Several Swifts were built as mobile libraries. Sales declined markedly once production of the lower-floor [[Dennis Dart]] was in full swing.
The Vanguard II proved particularly popular with operators on the Channel Island of [[Jersey]] owing to its close fit to the maxiumum vehicle size regulations, seating up to 43 and allowing the replacement of elderly [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]] SB coaches. Otherwise, the Swift was only a moderate success in an uncertain UK marketplace and was disadvantaged by the relatively high floor necessary to clear the mid-mounted powertrain. After [[Leyland Bus]] was purchased by [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]], the Swift was phased out and in some respects replaced by the rear-engined [[Volvo B6|B6]] model. A Swift "clone" has since been manufactured in small numbers by [[Cannon Coaches]].
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