Volvo Buses
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
The new 12.8m-long, 4×2 single-deck coach, being built exclusively for the UK and Irish markets, was announced by Volvo Buses and UNVI in March 2025. Originally scheduled to be built at its production site in Ourense, Spain, UNVI has shifted manufacturing to Porto, to unlock additional production capacity.
Josef Gisslow, Product Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, says: “Demand for our new luxury coach has exceeded all expectations, which is fantastic news for our customers and the business. To ensure we can deliver coaches as quickly as possible, UNVI has transferred production to a dedicated facility in Portugal. This gives us the capacity to meet our strong order book commitments, whilst ensuring lead times for future orders remain competitive.”
Volvo Buses is assembling the B13R chassis at its factory in Boras, Sweden, which stands apart for using 100 per cent renewable energy for its operation. Chassis are then being transported to UNVI’s site in Porto, which was comprehensively renovated over a two-year period between 2018 and 2020, ensuring a workspace built around safety, quality and productivity.
The first completed B13R UNVI XL will roll off the production line at the end of Q1 2026, prior to commencing a rigorous testing and evaluation programme between Volvo Buses and UNVI. This coach will then be operated by Volvo Bus UK & Ireland as a demonstrator, allowing fleet customers to experience the new vehicle within their own operations.
Gisslow adds: “We are all really excited to welcome the first of this new model to our shores. So far, we’ve received orders from 12 different customers, including an order for nine 53-seaters – all before a single customer has seen or driven the product.
“It reinforces the market’s appetite for this new partnership between Volvo Buses and UNVI, which will initially see one coach completed each week from July 2026 onwards.”
The Volvo B13R UNVI XL is being offered with a choice between 53 passenger seats, or 49 passenger seats plus one wheelchair space.
Passengers will enjoy the comfort of Brusa Create 120 ‘top flair’ reclinable seating as standard, with three-point seat belts, armrests for aisle seats, two-position footrests, a magazine net, tray back table, seat flaps and enhanced upholstery in automotive fabric and contrasting faux leather. Individual seatback USB-A and USB-C charging sockets will ensure passengers can keep their devices charged on the go, whilst the cabin also benefits from stylish fabric curtains, generous overhead luggage stowage, plus interior & gangway LED lighting.
The specification includes a powerful ThermoKing climate control system with individual air vents, personal reading lamps, and speakers connected to the on-board Bosch AV system, which features twin AEC TFT 22” screens for customer entertainment. Each build will also feature a centre sunken freshwater toilet, plus an estimated 9.5m3 of capacity in the main luggage compartment.
Power is provided by the latest generation 13-litre Euro-6 diesel engine, and a 12-speed Volvo I-Shift transmission, providing overdrive top gear, fast gear shifting, low internal friction and software optimised to help coach operators save fuel.
Daniel Tanner, Service Market Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, says: “As is the case with all Volvo buses and coaches delivered into this market, each B13R UNVI XL will be backed by our network of more than 80 Volvo Truck & Bus dealerpoints. This includes a specialist parts facility held at our Loughborough Body & Paint Shop, which keeps stock of thousands of bodywork components, from glazing and body panels, to spare seats.”
Volvo Bus UK & Ireland is part of Volvo Group UK, a major employer with more than 3,000 employees. It is offering the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL with a three year / 300,000km warranty (whichever comes first) covering the body & chassis, plus a structural warranty of 12 years.
Warwick
10 March 2026
For more press information, please contact: Charlotte Baker or Natalie Ganshert, Garnett Keeler PR, on phone: +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or email charlotte.baker@garnettkeeler.com or natalie.ganshert@garnettkeeler.com.
Volvo Buses is one of the world’s leading providers of sustainable people transport solutions. The offer includes premium city- and intercity buses, coaches, and bus chassis as well as services for increased productivity, uptime and safety. Volvo Buses has sales in 85 countries and a global service network with more than 1,500 dealerships and workshops. Volvo Buses is part of Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment as well as drive systems for marine and industrial applications. Volvo Group also provides complete financing solutions. For more information visit http://www.volvobuses.com