Having literally just purchased the vehicle, the Earlston based company were keen to press their impressive new Volvo into immediate action. Although primarily a tour based business, Austins also provide transportation at major events and this year provided vehicle support at the St. Andrews based Golf Championship.
The new B7R Sideral 10 coach with Sunsundegui bodywork is Austin Travel’s first new Volvo in five years and joins their fleet which now numbers eight vehicles. Specified with Volvo’s rear mounted common rail D7E 7 litre engine rated at 290hp, coupled to a ZF six speed fully automatic gearbox, Austin’s new coach meets all of the latest emission requirements and has attainted the Euro 5 incentive/EEV standard.
Featuring 40 Esteban Club seats with leather trim, an onboard demountable toilet and a rear servery, the vehicle is of extremely high specification. Other features include an internal fridge and top of the range alloy wheels.
The new coach is expected to be used to carry tourists on organised trips departing from Edinburgh, with Austin’s most popular excursion being to the world renowned Loch Ness. With the new vehicle being used over long distances, reliability and comfort were key considerations for Austin’s partner Barry Austin.
“We needed a vehicle that we could rely on, but also that met our specific requirements,” he explained. “It was essential that it had enough luggage capacity, as demonstrated by its first outing to The Dunhill Golf Tournament. The price needed to be right and we wanted a coach that looked good internally and externally”.
Barry Austin also explained the importance of Volvo Bus Regional Sales Manager, Duncan Crosby in his decision. “I’ve known Duncan for about 30 years and I knew he would do his utmost to provide us with a quality vehicle that met our specifications, his presence was the key to the deal”.
Volvo Bus Regional Sales Manager, Duncan Crosby was pleased to conclude the sale. “It has been quite a while since Austin Travel had one of our vehicles, so it’s pleasing to get back onboard with them.
“The Sideral is a lovely vehicle,” he continued, “we managed to get it all sorted so that Barry could use it for The Dunhill Golf Championship and it’s good to see that it has already had some famous celebrity passengers. I look forward to working with Barry and Austin Travel again going forward”.
ENDS
17 December 2010
Caption for Image: Star names including footballing legend Johan Cruyff, former All Blacks Rugby player, Sean Fitzpatrick and A-list movie stars Andy Garcia and Samuel L. Jackson were amongst the first passengers aboard Austin Travel’s new Volvo B7R Sideral 10 coach
