By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The new Volvo 9900: ‘It’s our best coach ever!’
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Vehicles > The new Volvo 9900: ‘It’s our best coach ever!’
Vehicles

The new Volvo 9900: ‘It’s our best coach ever!’

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: May 31, 2018
Share
SHARE

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.

TAGGED:BusCoachDiversified CommunicationsMagazineMiniPlusrouteONE
Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Call for DVSA to review DCPC as EU law changes come in
Next Article Fältcom: Improved customer experience with RTPI and passenger wi-fi
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd