Eurostar launches 200mph train to make London to Paris trip quicker
Eurostar has unveiled a new 200mph state-of-the-art high-speed train that will slash journey times from London to Paris.
Built by German firm Siemens and capable of carrying 900 passengers, the e320 train will go into service at the end of 2015.
In a £550 million deal, Eurostar originally ordered 10 of the e320s - so called as they can travel at 320kph (200mph) - but at the launch at St Pancras station the company announced it was ordering a further seven new trains. Words: PA
The launch comes as the company celebrates the 20th anniversary of the start of Eurostar services in November 1994.
The trains are described as being "inter-operable", meaning they can run across diverse European signalling systems, opening up the potential for a whole range of new direct services between the UK and European city centre destinations.
May 2015 will see the start of a new year-round direct Eurostar service to Provence, stopping at Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, followed at the end of 2016 by the launch of a direct route to Amsterdam with stops in Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam's Schiphol airport along the way.
The e320 train will go into service at the end of next year and is capable of carrying 900 passengers.
The e320s represent an increase in capacity of 20% compared with the company's existing rolling stock.
The external livery and interiors of the new train have been created by Italian design house Pininfarina. The e320s will be equipped with free wifi throughout and customers will enjoy more space per seat, with each equipped with power points and a USB socket.
Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "Having had 10 consecutive years of growth, we are seeing a record demand for our services and the addition of new trains to our fleet will be key to our growth ambitions.
"With just one year to go until our new e320 train comes into service, our passengers will soon see a complete transformation of our service. The combination of bold design, chic interiors and wifi connectivity will raise the bar, providing an unprecedented level of style and comfort for our customers."
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