Finally, Volvo’s premium 9900 coach is coming to the UK, and in a striking all-new design
It’s the firm’s biggest project for 20 years and the result, says Volvo Bus Senior Vice President, Ulf Magnusson: “It’s our best coach ever.
“Our aim is to deliver the ultimate coach experience. We are very close to achieving that goal with the nine-thousand range.”
His comments came as he addressed an audience of 50 European journalists at Volvo Trucks’ Experience Centre near Gothenburg. The Swedish site, normally used for sales demonstrations, was turned over to launch the new 9700 and 9900 coaches. The press launch followed four consecutive days of hosted visits for operators from around Europe, including 27 from the UK and Ireland.
In an indoor theatre, a snazzy video (filmed in the Polish mountains) built up the atmosphere, before the curtains were drawn and dry ice with a lightshow introduced the new coaches as Volvo Bus President, Håkan Agnevall took to the stage.
“We have been dreaming about putting a new coach in the market, we have been working passionately to make it happen and we have engaged so many people in our dream. Finally, …Now it’s here.”
UK options
The previous 9700 model sold around 30-35 a year in the UK and Ireland, roughly 10% of Volvo’s coach sales in the market, with Ireland being an especially strong for the 9700.
While the new 9700 will be available in Europe, our market will only get the top-of-the range 9900. Previously only offered in left-hand drive, Volvo’s UK commitment is underlined by the fact that the sole2 9900 prototype – Volvo’s true premium coach – shown at the launch is right-hand drive.
The 9900 will be officially launched into the UK and Ireland at Euro Bus Expo (NEC, Birmingham, 30 October).
By then feedback from the UK and Ireland operators’ inspection will be taken into account, to create a single specification. From that, pricing will be determined ready for the order books to be opened. The first deliveries will come in January 2019. Like the 9700, the 9900 will be built in Volvo’s Polish plant.
It comes as a 53-seat 13.1m, or 57-seat 13.9m, both as tri-axles and both with the option of a 430hp or 460hp engine.
Being a 3.85m high coach means that there’s plenty of luggage space, even with the standard sunken toilet.
Back to basics
Volvo is at pains to point out that the design is all new, not a re-working of the old model. It is a true integral in that the engine, driveline, axles and cab are separate components, rather than being on a chassis or even an underframe.
That said, mechanically it uses Volvo’s proven Euro 6 D11K engine and latest version of its 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox already familiar to operators.
Add to this all the other features, such as collision warning with emergency brake, ESP, EBS-5, ABS, ASR, dynamic chassis lowering at speed (to improve fuel consumption), lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and Volvo’s dynamic steering (VDS), and the mechanical package is familiar.
A new addition is Volvo’s driver alert system, using monitors in the VDS and lane keeper camera to detect when the driver is drowsy. Initially it sounds an alert and displays a dashboard-warning message. If after 30 minutes no action is taken and the ‘symptoms’ continue, a further ‘stronger’ message and cup of coffee symbol are displayed.
Additionally, Volvo is ahead of new mandatory regulations for new PSVs coming in from next summer, fitting engine bay fire protection as standard.
Crucially, the front impact protection cage has been “substantially improved” to offer even more protection and the new dashboard also includes a knee impact protection design. Should the worst happen, a driver is better protected than ever.
9900 breaks free
Volvo targets the new 9700 in Europe as its volume seller for private hire and long distance work.
The original 9700 was launched 20 years ago and came to the UK in 2005. After modest sales, a 2006 facelift improved its fortunes, and a subtle facelift in 2014 was aligned to the move to Euro 6. The 9900 is its natural UK successor.
While the old 9700/9900 were relatively ‘conservative’ in their looks, the new flagship 9900 is very different.
From the front, it has a high windscreen, with top-mounted wiper. The side has raked side windows, with a ’z’ profile, to emphasise the ramped theatre-style seating inside.
The prototype was tricky to photograph in its deep metallic plum colour, but make no mistake; in the right livery this is a striking coach like no other on the road. Side-on from a distance, the tapering brightwork looks a little like snow-capped mountain peaks. At the rear is adequate space for an operators’ branding, albeit with the central mounted Volvo badge.
Volvo says it is already used to holding different sizes of glass, and will maintain stocks of each of the side windows. In contrast to the previous 9700/9900 range, the side windows are now flat, rather than curved, giving it a modern look.
A fascinating presentation using a large scale model explained how the various lines and curves – from the distinctive v-shaped daylight running lights (taken from Volvo’s construction trucks) to the body and internal angles serve aesthetic as well as practical purposes, such as encouraging the air to ‘let go’ at the back.
Inside story
Those curves follow though into the entrance area’s handrails. The courier seat’s position makes the throat a little tight, but Volvo Bus UK & Ireland Retail Sales Director James Hyde says this didn’t attract operator comment.
The seats are new, and a short test ride found them to be comfortable. An experimental pair at the front, which may be an option, have adjustable headrests, with side support.
Despite the undulating external window line, inside it’s not that obvious and the window ledge is at a comfortable height at all the seat positions we tried. The gangway is slightly sunken, but without the big drop sometimes found on other coaches.
A new design of drop-down table brings it closer to the passenger and reveals a USB port on each seat-back. Volvo branding is on each seat back and also in the entrance and elsewhere as Volvo seeks to gently ‘turn up the volume’ and remind passengers of who built the coach. The gently-ramped floor and high-topped windscreen affords excellent forward vision, with the part-mesh driver’s sunblind not impeding the view.
On the road
In a brief five-minute drive around Volvo’s test track, the 9900 handles very well, while the new dashboard is easy to navigate. With the courier seat in use, the new kerb window in the door couldn’t be used.
While the handbrake is unusually at the front of a small bin, below a cup-holder, it fell easily to hand. As usual, a 12% hill start, rough sections with sunken drain-covers, emergency braking and the effectiveness of the dynamic steering are at least as good as the existing range. We eagerly await the opportunity for a full test drive.
Find out more: www.volvobuses.co.uk
routeone Comment
Looks are subjective and while the Neoplan Starliner (no longer built) was arguably the most striking, and perhaps best looking, modern-day coach, it is not unlikely that the 9900 will become a head-turner.
It’s deliberately designed to look powerful, but not aggressive, while meeting the competing calls for slick aerodynamics, styling cues, practicality and legislation (such as the front plastic panel that incorporates the EBS camera).
To be fair, you have to see it in the metal to fully appreciate it, as photos don’t really do it justice.
Volvo admits the 9900 will never be a massive seller – in Europe the 9700 fulfils that role, with key body partner Plaxton doing the same in the UK – but taking a key role in the exclusive premium niche.
