The trams are built to meet the highly bespoke specifications issued by Transport Initiatives Edinburgh which precluded the use of an existing design.

[10] A full size mockup of the front of the proposed tram was constructed and put on display on Princes Street for the public to view.

[14] The tram arrived far in advance of the completion of infrastructure (including its home depot), which has suffered serious delays and cost over-runs.

[7][5] Several special requirements were specified for the tram vehicles: they have to cope with the steep slopes of Edinburgh streets, operate with low noise and offer a visual fit suitable for a World Heritage Site.

[10] To achieve the low noise requirement a self lubricating system is used to avoid the squeal of wheels on track when turning tight curves around streetcorners at intersections and elsewhere.