Beverley, East Yorkshire-based Acklams Coaches got 2017 off to a good start last week when it became the first operator to put a facelifted version of the Plaxton Elite-bodied Volvo B11R into service
There is something to be said for sticking with longstanding suppliers, and that is what Beverley-based Acklams Coaches did last week when it took delivery of a two-axle Volvo B11R with Plaxton’s facelifted Elite body.
In doing so, Acklams became the first operator to place an example of the restyled Elite into service.
The new coach means that Acklams’ fleet now includes eight members of the Elite range, and that number will become nine later in 2017 when a third Elite-i interdecker, built to team coach specification, joins.
The new arrival for this season – which like some of the eight other Elites in Acklams’ fleet is PSVAR-compliant – was handed over at a special occasion at Plaxton’s Scarborough plant last Monday (9 January).
Acklams brought a tour party to the factory in an older Elite-bodied Volvo, and participants walked around the production line prior to departing on the new coach’s maiden trip, a multi-day itinerary to Cheshire.
The tour departed Scarborough with just four of the new Elite’s 49 seats unfilled, and Director Alan Acklam suggests that such a high load factor for a January tour bodes well for 2017’s programme, in which the new coach will play a major part.
“We have long operated Plaxton-bodied Volvos and my father Paul and I find that the combination meets our needs very well. We are not far from Scarborough should we require parts, and Plaxton’s aftersales support is good.
“We have looked at other manufacturers’ coaches, and I have seen a number that I like. But to justify a move away from Plaxton and Volvo they would have to be substantially better, and that is just not the case.
“Additionally, there is always a ready market for used Plaxton Volvos, although the new coach is a fleet addition and will not displace an older vehicle.”
Evolution, not revolution
Plaxton unveiled the restyled Elite at Euro Bus Expo in November 2016. It is an evolution of the previous model and retains its predecessor’s distinctive windscreen and all side glazing among other items, but a noticeable alteration is an updated lower dash. It brings the Elite more in line with Plaxton’s Cheetah XL, Leopard and Panther ranges.
Some other optional changes that are less noticeable to passengers have been made with fuel economy in mind, says Mark Ballam, Commercial Manager – Coach.
“The B11R now comes with Volvo’s Dynamic Suspension, which at cruising speed lowers the ride height slightly to reduce wind resistance.
“Additionally, we have added trays below the chassis and a small piece of trim on each rear corner to deflect air away from the back of the coach. All of these improvements reduce drag, and when combined, they deliver a 4% fuel consumption improvement over the previous Elite.”
In the details
Acklams’ new Elite can carry a maximum of six wheelchair users.
They board and alight via a PLS Magic Floor lift at the front door, although Mark explains that as a coach designed from the beginning as accessible, a cassette wheelchair lift can be installed in the luggage compartment.
Seating as far back as the continental door is tracked, but Mark adds that should a buyer require, all bar the back row can be mounted on quickly-removable mounts.
Additionally, a floor-mounted toilet and emergency exit behind the rear axle can be specified as part of a package of disabled-friendly credentials.
These options, he says, are part of Plaxton’s commitment to building the coach that the operator requires. The manufacturer can now fit a wheelchair lift to all models in its range – including the Cheetah XL midi – with the exception of the Elite-i, which has a low-floor section.
Fainsa has finished the seats in Acklams’ coach in half leather and all have drop-down tables, footrests, magazine nets and three-point belts. Additionally, each pair has a combined 240v and USB charging point in the side wall.
Other passenger-pleasing aspects of the new coach include a fridge and servery above the centre sunken toilet, and aircraft-style luggage rack doors.
In the cab, a Bosch digital radio has been added, while the driver also benefits from Volvo’s ‘heads-up’ display that works in conjunction with the emergency braking and lane departure warning systems. Powered locker doors are fitted.
The B11R chassis is powered by the 430bhp variant of Volvo’s D11K engine coupled to the 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox.
ZF’s EcoLife automatic is available in conjunction with the 380bhp variant of the D11K; Plaxton is hopeful that Volvo will homologate the recently-uprateded EcoLife variant with an increased maximum torque input capability to work with the 430bhp D11K in due course, but this is not yet confirmed.
