Volvo Buses

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

Next generation double deck city bus from Volvo Bus

Production of Volvo’s new B5TL double deck city bus will begin during 2013, with the first new vehicles expected to be taking to the roads in the UK and Ireland later the same year it was announced today, at Euro Bus Expo 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham.

The new bus has been developed in close co-operation with Volvo’s long-term body building partner Wrightbus. Revised styling and enhanced ergonomics improve overall aesthetics and enhance comfort.

Promoting increased passenger loading and delivering reduced fuel consumption, the result will be a modern, dynamic looking double deck bus with significant weight reduction across the whole vehicle.

Powered by the new 5.1 litre 4 cylinder Euro VI diesel engine, rated at 240 hp and producing 900 Nm torque, the new Volvo B5TL double deck is ideal for busy city bus operations.

The B5TL will be introduced with a ZF Ecolife 6-speed automatic gearbox which has been designed to cope with the increased demands of Euro VI technology.

An added benefit for operators ordering the new B5TL is that the new Euro VI engine is also to be incorporated into other UK Volvo Bus products, ensuring commonality regarding aftermarket application.

Significant fuel savings are achieved on the new B5TL by driving the power steering pump and the main fan drive with electric motors, independently of the main engine. A further benefit of this system is that there is no need for hydraulic pipes running the length of the chassis for the steering, unlike today’s conventional chassis. There is also no requirement for hydraulic system or pump in the engine bay.

Additionally remote checking of engine oil levels and coolant levels, helps to simplify the daily check process for operators.



“The new B5TL has been specifically designed with our customers in mind,” explained Ian Downie, Product Director, Volvo Bus UK. “They told us they needed easier access to components for maintenance and wider vehicle repair options to help reduce life cycle cost and all of those requirements have been incorporated.

“We understand that for our customers vehicle uptime is one of their key operating requirements and this new vehicle is developed specifically to help the operators achieve the best possible availability,” he continued.

ENDS

06 November 2012



For further information, please contact:
Don Johnston, +44 (0) 1926 414553, don.johnston@volvo.com