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{{About|the rear-engined bus chassises launched in 1991|the front-engined chassises built between 1976 and 1987|Volvo B6F}}
{{Infobox UK Bus
{{Infobox UK Bus
|background =
|background =
|name = Volvo B6 series
|name = Volvo B6/B6LE
|image = HV6320.jpg
|image = Torquay_Torbay_Road_Stagecoach_701_P701BTA.jpg
|imagesize =
|imagesize =
|caption = [[:zh:捷聯車身工程|Jit Luen]] bodied B6LE of [[Citybus (Hong Kong)|Citybus]] in Hong Kong
|caption = Preserved [[Alexander ALX200]] bodied B6LE in [[Torquay]] in September 2011
|manufacturer = [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]]
|manufacturer = [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]]
|assembly = Irvine, Scotland (1992-2000)<br />Sweden (2000-2005)
|assembly = [[Austria]] (1991–1992)<br>[[Scotland]] (1993–1999)
|production = 1991-2001
|production = 1991–1999
⚫
|class = [[Midibus]] [[chassis]]
⚫
|predecessor =
⚫
|successor =
⚫
|class = Midibus chassis
⚫
|capacity =
|operator =
|operator =
|length =
|length = 8.5m to 10.6m
|width =
|width = 2.5m
|height =
|height = 3.0m
|floortype = Step deck<br>Low floor
|floortype = [[High-floor|Step deck]] (555 mm)<br>[[Low-floor bus|Low floor]] (350 mm)
|doors =
|doors = 1 or 2 doors
|weight =
|weight =
|chassis =
|chassis =
|engine = 5.5-litre front-mounted I-6<br />Volvo TD63, D6A
|engine = Volvo TD63, D6A
⚫
|capacity = 5.5 litres
|powerout =
|powerout =
|transmission = Allison/ZF
|transmission = [[Allison Transmission|Allison]]/[[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] 4HP500
⚫
|predecessor = [[Leyland Swift]]
}}
⚫
|successor = [[Volvo B6BLE]]}}
[[File:Plymouth Hoe - Citybus 53 (M53HOD).jpg|thumb|Preserved [[Plymouth Citybus]] [[Plaxton Pointer]] bodied B6 in [[Plymouth]] in April 2013]]
[[File:Timeline bus (N210 WBA), Manchester.jpg|thumb|Timeline Travel [[Alexander Dash]] bodied B6 in [[Manchester]]]]
[[File:Arriva The Shires 3128 M728 OMJ.JPG|thumb|[[Arriva Shires & Essex]] [[Northern Counties Paladin]] bodied B6 in [[High Wycombe]] in July 2009]]
The '''Volvo B6''' was a {{convert|adj=on|5.5|litre|impgal|abbr=off}} engined [[midibus]] [[chassis]] manufactured by [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]] between 1991 and 1999. It was also available as the [[Low-entry bus|low-entry]] '''Volvo B6LE'''.


==History==
⚫
[[File:Avon_Buses_Volvo_B6_10.JPG|thumb|[[Avon Buses]] [[Wright Crusader]] in [[Birkenhead]] in June 2009]]
In the United Kingdom, the B6 competed in the midibus market with the [[Dennis Dart]], and with the [[MAN Truck & Bus|MAN]] [[MAN 10.xxx HOCL|10.xxx HOCL]] and [[MAN 12.xxx HOCL|12.xxx HOCL]]/[[MAN 12.xxx HOCL-NL|12.xxx HOCL-NL]] throughout Europe. When launched in 1991,<ref name="cm1991">[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/17th-october-1991/22/volvo-unveils-b6r-midi Volvo unveils B6R midi] ''[[Commercial Motor]]'' 17 October 1991</ref> it was presented as being available in several different lengths; {{convert|abbr=off|8.5|metres|feet}} (''B6-36''), 9.0 metres (''B6-41''), 9.9 metres (''B6-50'') and a 9.1-metre coach version (''B6-45''). For [[left-hand-drive|LHD]] markets it was available with a {{convert|350|mm|inch|abbr=on|adj=on}} low-entry floor, while the [[right-hand-drive|RHD]] markets had to wait until 1995 before this option became available.
The '''Volvo B6 series''' was a series of bus chassis manufactured by [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]] between 1991 and 2001. The series was largely aimed at the midibus market in direct competition with the [[Dennis Dart]]; however, a midicoach version was also produced.<ref name=BLOTW>[http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/ Bus Lists on the Web]</ref>


The B6 was mainly built for the UK market, but some were exported to Hong Kong<ref>[http://www.gakei.com/cb6/cb6.htm HKBEC - Citybus Volvo B6R/B6LE]</ref> and Australia.<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/index-tdv.php Transdev NSW] Bus Australia</ref> They were also sold on Volvo's home markets, but sale volumes were quite low.
Most B6s were built for the [[UK]] market, but 61 were exported to Hong Kong<ref>[http://www.gakei.com/cb6/cb6.htm HKBEC - Citybus Volvo B6R/B6LE] Gakei</ref> and some to [[Australia]]. They were also sold in mainland Europe, both in bus and in coach versions. When launched in the UK, it was marketed as the B6R, but this name would later only be used in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region.


==Volvo B6R / B6-45==
==Volvo B6==
The initial pre-production series of around 30 (or more) [[chassis]] were manufactured by Volvo subsidiary [[Steyr-Daimler-Puch|Steyr Bus GmbH]] in [[Vienna]], Austria. This would however not be the case with the production series, as Volvo moved it to Scotland.<ref name="cm1992">[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/15th-october-1992/16/goodnight-to-vienna-for-b6 Goodnight to Vienna for B6] ''Commercial Motor'' 15 October 1992</ref> Most of the pre-production units were built as coaches. Only nine of these units were delivered in the United Kingdom.<ref name=BLOWB6>[http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/index.htm?http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/list.asp?ListName=816&Type=&Page=1&WW=0 Volvo B6 / B6LE (UK vehicles only)] Bus Lists on the Web</ref>
The first member of the B6 series was the '''Volvo B6R''', a midicoach launched in mid-1992; in 1993, it was renamed to the '''Volvo B6-45'''. Unlike other members of the series, the B6R/B6-45 suffered from disappointingly low sales - by 1995, when the chassis was withdrawn from sale, only thirteen had been built.


In March 1993, serial production of the B6 started up at Volvo's brand new bus chassis plant in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], Scotland.<ref name="cm1993">[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/1st-april-1993/10/volvo-opens-bus-lines-in-irvine Volvo opens bus lines in Irvine] ''Commercial Motor'' 1 April 1993</ref><ref>"New models: Volvo B6" ''Fleetline'' issue 229 August 1994 page 152</ref> The ''B6-50'' length was instantly popular. The short-wheelbase ''B6-36'' sold a few from the start, but customers soon chose the ''B6-41'' instead.
A fourteenth B6-45, for export to [[Russia]], was built as a one-off in 1998. No further B6-45s were ever built.


The ''B6-45'' midicoach suffered from disappointingly low sales in the UK - by 1995, when the RHD version was withdrawn from sale, only fourteen had been built. The last one being delivered to the [[Embassy of Russia, London|Russian embassy]] in 1998, being unsold since 1995. No further RHD B6-45s were ever built. For the RHD markets also the entire [[high-floor|step-entrance]] B6 lineup was discontinued in 1997, while the LHD version was available until the introduction of the B6BLE in 1999. The step-entrance B6 never received a proper successor. Between 1993 and 1997 a total of 627 B6s were delivered in the UK.<ref name=BLOWB6/>
==Volvo B6==
The '''Volvo B6''' was introduced in 1993 to compete with [[Dennis Special Vehicles|Dennis]]' successful [[Dennis Dart]] midibus chassis. It was initially offered in two lengths - the ''B6-50'' and the short-wheelbase ''B6-36'', the latter of which was soon replaced by the ''B6-41''. The B6 was replaced by the B6LE in 1997.


The B6 were labelled as the '''Volvo B6R''' in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region.<ref>[http://www.omnibus.org.nz/buslocation/volvo/b6.html Volvo B6 Buses and Coaches] Omnibus Society of New Zealand</ref> In [[Australia]], [[Hunter Valley Buses|Blue Ribbon]] purchased five, [[Transdev NSW|Southtrans]] four and [[Whyalla]] City Transport two.<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?search=BRC Blue Ribbon Coaches] Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref><ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nsw.php?search=SOU Southtrans] Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref><ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/sa.php?search=WHY Whyalla City Transport] Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> [[Citybus (Hong Kong)|Citybus]] of Hong Kong took delivery of one [[Walter Alexander Coachbuilders|Alexander]] bodied B6R.<ref name=Fleetline248>"Hong Kong Buses: Citybus Limited" ''Fleetline'' issue 248 May 1997</ref>
Between 1993 and 1997 a total of 627 B6s were produced.


==Volvo B6LE==
==Volvo B6LE==
[[File:VolvoB6LE-VestLiner310Midi-Nettbuss.jpg|thumb|[[Vest Karosseri|Vest]] bodied B6LE delivered in October 1993, possibly being the first ever B6LE. Here in [[Porsgrunn]] in August 2007.]]
⚫
Volvo launched the '''Volvo B6LE''' in 1995, initially as a low-floor variation of the B6 to compete with the [[Dennis Dart SLF]]. However, after sales proved promising, the B6LE completely replaced the B6 in 1997 before it was itself replaced by the B6BLE in 1999.
⚫
[[File:Avon Buses Volvo B6 10.JPG|thumb|[[Avon Buses]] [[Wright Crusader]] bodied B6LE in [[Birkenhead]] in June 2009]]

⚫
The B6LE was initially only available as left-hand drive, but in 1995 it also became available as right-hand drive, to compete with the [[Dennis Dart SLF]]. However, after sales proved promising, the B6LE completely replaced the B6 in some markets in 1997 before it was itself replaced by the [[Volvo B6BLE|B6BLE]] in 1999.
⚫
In total, 398 B6LEs were produced between 1995 and 1999; this includes two modified vehicles used as the testbed for the then-upcoming B6BLE.


⚫
A total of 394 B6LEs were produced for the UK between 1995 and 1999; this includes two modified vehicles used as the testbed for the then-upcoming B6BLE.<ref name=BLOWB6/>
==Volvo B6BLE==
The '''Volvo B6BLE''' was launched in 1999 as the replacement for the B6LE; production continued until 2001, when it was withdrawn. As the replacement for the B6LE, it continued to compete with the [[Dennis Dart SLF]].


The B6LE were labelled as the '''Volvo B6RLE''' in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region. In [[Australia]], [[Brisbane Transport]] purchased two B6RLE.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141109041422/http://www.btbuses.info/?GoTo=searchfleet&find=Volvo%20B6RLE%20midi%20%5BVolgren%5D&searching=yes Volvo B6RLE] Brisbane Transport Buses</ref> Three were purchased by [[National Bus Company (Australia)|National Bus Company]] in [[Brisbane]].<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/cdc.php?search=CDC&depotreq=NB CDC Group NSW - Hunter Valley Buses] Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> Citybus (Hong Kong) took delivery of 20 [[Plaxton Pointer]] bodied B6LEs, with 10 being single door and 10 being double doors. There’s also 10 bodied with ALX200 that had overhead luggage racks and 30 B6LE bodied with the local Jit Luen bodywork.<ref name=Fleetline248/>
In total, 352 B6BLEs were produced between 1999 and 2002. A further B6BLE was produced for [[Plaxton]]'s "Bus 2000" concept in 2004, followed by a second "Bus 2000" B6BLE in 2005. A third chassis was built for the "Bus 2000" project in 2005; however, it was not required, and was instead sold to [[New Zealand]] and bodied by Kiwi. The Kiwi B6BLE was the 1394th and final B6 series bus to be produced, fourteen years after the completion of the first chassis.


==Engines==
In some markets, the B6BLE was followed by short-wheelbase variants of the [[Volvo B7RLE|B7RLE]].
'''TD63''', 5478 [[Cubic centimetre|cc]], in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1991-1995)
* TD63E - 132&nbsp;kW (180&nbsp;bhp), 520 Nm, [[Euro I]]
* TD63ES - 154&nbsp;kW (210&nbsp;bhp), Euro I


'''D6A''', 5478 [[Cubic centimetre|cc]], in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1995-1999)
==Specifications==
* D6A180 - 132&nbsp;kW (180&nbsp;bhp), 550 Nm, Euro II
The Volvo B6 chassis was built to compete with the [[Dennis Dart]], while the B6LE/B6BLE were built to compete with the Dennis Dart SLF. They could be fitted with Volvo TD63E/TD63ES engines (later Volvo D6A engines). The Volvo B6 prototypes were built in Austria, but the production buses were built in the United Kingdom.<ref name=BLOTW/>
* D6A210 - 154&nbsp;kW (210&nbsp;bhp), 700 Nm, Euro II


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6R}}
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6}}
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6}}
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6LE}}
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6LE}}
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6BLE}}
*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/1959558@N25/ Flickr gallery]
*[http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/fleetlist/0501-0830.html NXWM Wright Crusader Volvo B6LE fleet list]


{{Volvo Buses|state=collapsed}}
{{Volvo Buses|state=collapsed}}


[[Category:Volvo Buses|B06]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1991]]
[[Category:Volvo buses|B06]]
[[Category:Low-entry buses]]
[[Category:Step-entrance buses]]
[[Category:Midibuses]]
[[Category:Bus chassis]]

Latest revision as of 17:29, 4 February 2024

Volvo B6/B6LE
Preserved Alexander ALX200 bodied B6LE in Torquay in September 2011
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo
Production1991–1999
AssemblyAustria (1991–1992)
Scotland (1993–1999)
Body and chassis
ClassMidibus chassis
Doors1 or 2 doors
Floor typeStep deck (555 mm)
Low floor (350 mm)
Powertrain
EngineVolvo TD63, D6A
Capacity5.5 litres
TransmissionAllison/ZF 4HP500
Dimensions
Length8.5m to 10.6m
Width2.5m
Height3.0m
Chronology
PredecessorLeyland Swift
SuccessorVolvo B6BLE
Preserved Plymouth Citybus Plaxton Pointer bodied B6 in Plymouth in April 2013
Timeline Travel Alexander Dash bodied B6 in Manchester
Arriva Shires & Essex Northern Counties Paladin bodied B6 in High Wycombe in July 2009

The Volvo B6 was a 5.5-litre (1.2-imperial-gallon) engined midibus chassis manufactured by Volvo between 1991 and 1999. It was also available as the low-entry Volvo B6LE.

History[edit]

In the United Kingdom, the B6 competed in the midibus market with the Dennis Dart, and with the MAN 10.xxx HOCL and 12.xxx HOCL/12.xxx HOCL-NL throughout Europe. When launched in 1991,[1] it was presented as being available in several different lengths; 8.5 metres (28 feet) (B6-36), 9.0 metres (B6-41), 9.9 metres (B6-50) and a 9.1-metre coach version (B6-45). For LHD markets it was available with a 350 mm (14 in) low-entry floor, while the RHD markets had to wait until 1995 before this option became available.

Most B6s were built for the UK market, but 61 were exported to Hong Kong[2] and some to Australia. They were also sold in mainland Europe, both in bus and in coach versions. When launched in the UK, it was marketed as the B6R, but this name would later only be used in the Asia-Pacific region.

Volvo B6[edit]

The initial pre-production series of around 30 (or more) chassis were manufactured by Volvo subsidiary Steyr Bus GmbH in Vienna, Austria. This would however not be the case with the production series, as Volvo moved it to Scotland.[3] Most of the pre-production units were built as coaches. Only nine of these units were delivered in the United Kingdom.[4]

In March 1993, serial production of the B6 started up at Volvo's brand new bus chassis plant in Irvine, Scotland.[5][6] The B6-50 length was instantly popular. The short-wheelbase B6-36 sold a few from the start, but customers soon chose the B6-41 instead.

The B6-45 midicoach suffered from disappointingly low sales in the UK - by 1995, when the RHD version was withdrawn from sale, only fourteen had been built. The last one being delivered to the Russian embassy in 1998, being unsold since 1995. No further RHD B6-45s were ever built. For the RHD markets also the entire step-entrance B6 lineup was discontinued in 1997, while the LHD version was available until the introduction of the B6BLE in 1999. The step-entrance B6 never received a proper successor. Between 1993 and 1997 a total of 627 B6s were delivered in the UK.[4]

The B6 were labelled as the Volvo B6R in the Asia-Pacific region.[7] In Australia, Blue Ribbon purchased five, Southtrans four and Whyalla City Transport two.[8][9][10] Citybus of Hong Kong took delivery of one Alexander bodied B6R.[11]

Volvo B6LE[edit]

Vest bodied B6LE delivered in October 1993, possibly being the first ever B6LE. Here in Porsgrunn in August 2007.
Avon Buses Wright Crusader bodied B6LE in Birkenhead in June 2009

The B6LE was initially only available as left-hand drive, but in 1995 it also became available as right-hand drive, to compete with the Dennis Dart SLF. However, after sales proved promising, the B6LE completely replaced the B6 in some markets in 1997 before it was itself replaced by the B6BLE in 1999.

A total of 394 B6LEs were produced for the UK between 1995 and 1999; this includes two modified vehicles used as the testbed for the then-upcoming B6BLE.[4]

The B6LE were labelled as the Volvo B6RLE in the Asia-Pacific region. In Australia, Brisbane Transport purchased two B6RLE.[12] Three were purchased by National Bus Company in Brisbane.[13] Citybus (Hong Kong) took delivery of 20 Plaxton Pointer bodied B6LEs, with 10 being single door and 10 being double doors. There’s also 10 bodied with ALX200 that had overhead luggage racks and 30 B6LE bodied with the local Jit Luen bodywork.[11]

Engines[edit]

TD63, 5478 cc, in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1991-1995)

  • TD63E - 132 kW (180 bhp), 520 Nm, Euro I
  • TD63ES - 154 kW (210 bhp), Euro I

D6A, 5478 cc, in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1995-1999)

  • D6A180 - 132 kW (180 bhp), 550 Nm, Euro II
  • D6A210 - 154 kW (210 bhp), 700 Nm, Euro II

References[edit]

  1. ^ Volvo unveils B6R midi Commercial Motor 17 October 1991
  2. ^ HKBEC - Citybus Volvo B6R/B6LE Gakei
  3. ^ Goodnight to Vienna for B6 Commercial Motor 15 October 1992
  4. ^ a b c Volvo B6 / B6LE (UK vehicles only) Bus Lists on the Web
  5. ^ Volvo opens bus lines in Irvine Commercial Motor 1 April 1993
  6. ^ "New models: Volvo B6" Fleetline issue 229 August 1994 page 152
  7. ^ Volvo B6 Buses and Coaches Omnibus Society of New Zealand
  8. ^ Blue Ribbon Coaches Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  9. ^ Southtrans Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  10. ^ Whyalla City Transport Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  11. ^ a b "Hong Kong Buses: Citybus Limited" Fleetline issue 248 May 1997
  12. ^ Volvo B6RLE Brisbane Transport Buses
  13. ^ CDC Group NSW - Hunter Valley Buses Australian Bus Fleet Lists

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Volvo B6 at Wikimedia Commons
  • Media related to Volvo B6LE at Wikimedia Commons
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