Volvo B6: Difference between revisions
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{{About|the rear-engined bus chassis series launched in 1991|the front-engined chassis series built between 1976 and 1987|Volvo B6F}} |
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{{Infobox UK Bus |
{{Infobox UK Bus |
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|background = |
|background = |
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|name = Volvo B6 |
|name = Volvo B6/B6LE |
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|image = Torquay_Torbay_Road_Stagecoach_701_P701BTA.jpg |
|image = Torquay_Torbay_Road_Stagecoach_701_P701BTA.jpg |
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|imagesize = |
|imagesize = |
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|caption = Preserved [[Alexander ALX200]] bodied B6LE in [[Torquay]] in September 2011 |
|caption = Preserved [[Alexander ALX200]] bodied B6LE in [[Torquay]] in September 2011 |
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|manufacturer = [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]] |
|manufacturer = [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]] |
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|assembly = Austria (1991-1992)<br>Scotland (1993- |
|assembly = Austria (1991-1992)<br>Scotland (1993-1999) |
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|production = 1991- |
|production = 1991-1999 |
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|class = Midibus chassis |
|class = Midibus chassis |
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|operator = |
|operator = |
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|transmission = [[Allison Transmission|Allison]]/[[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] 4HP500 |
|transmission = [[Allison Transmission|Allison]]/[[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] 4HP500 |
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|predecessor = |
|predecessor = |
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|successor = [[Volvo |
|successor = [[Volvo B6BLE]]}} |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In the United Kingdom, the B6 competed in the midibus market with the [[Dennis Dart]], and with the [[MAN Truck & Bus|MAN]] 10. |
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; 8.5 metres (''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 350 mm low-entry floor, while the [[right-hand-drive|RHD]] markets had to wait until 1995 before this option became available. |
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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. |
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. |
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==Pre-production units== |
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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. It is not known if any B6LE were among these units. 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> |
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==Volvo B6== |
==Volvo B6== |
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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> |
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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. |
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⚫ | 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 B6 lineup was |
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⚫ | 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 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/> |
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The B6 were labeled 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, [[ComfortDelGro Cabcharge#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)]] took delivery of one [[Walter Alexander Coachbuilders|Alexander]] bodied B6R.<ref name=Fleetline248>"Hong Kong Buses: Citybus Limited" ''Fleetline'' issue 248 May 1997</ref> |
The B6 were labeled 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, [[ComfortDelGro Cabcharge#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)]] took delivery of one [[Walter Alexander Coachbuilders|Alexander]] bodied B6R.<ref name=Fleetline248>"Hong Kong Buses: Citybus Limited" ''Fleetline'' issue 248 May 1997</ref> |
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==Volvo B6LE== |
==Volvo B6LE== |
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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/> |
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/> |
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The B6LE were labeled as the '''Volvo B6RLE''' in the Asia-Pacific region. In Australia, [[Brisbane Transport]] purchased two B6RLE.<ref>[http://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 10 [[Plaxton Pointer]] bodied B6LEs.<ref name=Fleetline248/> |
The B6LE were labeled as the '''Volvo B6RLE''' in the Asia-Pacific region. In Australia, [[Brisbane Transport]] purchased two B6RLE.<ref>[http://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 10 [[Plaxton Pointer]] bodied B6LEs.<ref name=Fleetline248/> |
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==Volvo B6BLE== |
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The '''Volvo B6BLE''' was presented in November 1998<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990915101814/http://www.bus.volvo.se/presscenter/oldPress/showArchived.asp?id=1953 Enter the Volvo B6BLE - A refined version of the Volvo B6LE] ''Volov Buses'' 5 November 1998</ref> as the replacement for all B6 types. Compared to the old B6LE it had a new lower chassis frame with increased low-floor area, independent front suspension giving more than 10 cm wider gangway between the front wheel arches, and front end "kneeling", giving a 25 cm entrance height. As the replacement for the B6LE, it continued to compete with the [[Dennis Dart SLF]]. |
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A total of 346<!--352 less 6 unknown--> known B6BLEs were produced between 1999 and 2001,<ref>[http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/index.htm?http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/list.asp?ListName=817&Type=&Page=1&WW=0 Volvo B6BLE] Bus Lists on the Web</ref> including two for Australia,<!--Edwards Bus Service, Eden V18 and V19--> nine for Norway and two for Sweden. When the Irvine plant was closed in 2000, production moved to Sweden. The last buses were registered as late as April 2002, but the model year on the chassis [[VIN]]s reveal that they were built in 2001, waiting to be bodied. |
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A further B6BLE was delivered for [[Plaxton]]'s ''Bus 2000'' concept in 2004, followed by a second ''Bus 2000'' B6BLE in 2005, but the VINs indicate that they were initially manufactured in model year 2000. A third chassis was available for the ''Bus 2000'' project in 2005; however, it was not required, and was instead sold to New Zealand and bodied by [[Kiwi Bus Builders]].<ref>[http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nz.php?search=NIM&chassisreq=Volvo%20B6BLE&bodyreq=Kiwi%20Bus%20Builders Nimon & Sons] Australian Bus Fleet Lists</ref> This chassis had 1999 as model year. The Kiwi B6BLE was the final B6 series bus to be bodied, fourteen years after the completion of the first chassis. |
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In some markets, the B6BLE was followed by short-wheelbase variants of the [[Volvo B7RLE|B7RLE]]. |
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==Engines== |
==Engines== |
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* TD63ES - 154 kW (210 bhp), Euro 1 |
* TD63ES - 154 kW (210 bhp), Euro 1 |
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'''D6A''', 5478 [[Cubic centimetre|cc]], in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1995- |
'''D6A''', 5478 [[Cubic centimetre|cc]], in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1995-1999) |
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* D6A180 - 132 kW (180 bhp), 550 Nm, Euro 2 |
* D6A180 - 132 kW (180 bhp), 550 Nm, Euro 2 |
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* D6A210 - 154 kW (210 bhp), 700 Nm, Euro 2 |
* D6A210 - 154 kW (210 bhp), 700 Nm, Euro 2 |
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{{-}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6}} |
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6}} |
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*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6LE}} |
*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6LE}} |
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*{{commons category-inline|Volvo B6BLE}} |
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*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/1959558@N25/ Flickr gallery] |
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{{Volvo Buses|state=collapsed}} |
{{Volvo Buses|state=collapsed}} |
Revision as of 14:35, 3 May 2015
Volvo B6/B6LE | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Volvo |
Production | 1991-1999 |
Assembly | Austria (1991-1992) Scotland (1993-1999) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Midibus chassis |
Floor type | Step deck (555 mm) Low floor (350 mm) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Volvo TD63, D6A |
Capacity | 5.5 litres |
Transmission | Allison/ZF 4HP500 |
Chronology | |
Successor | Volvo B6BLE |
The Volvo B6 was a 5.5-litre engined midibus chassis manufactured by Volvo between 1991 and 1999. It was also available as the low-entry Volvo B6LE.
History
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 (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 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
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 labeled 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 (Hong Kong) took delivery of one Alexander bodied B6R.[11]
Volvo B6LE
The B6LE was initially only available as LHD, but in 1995 it also became available as RHD, 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 labeled 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 10 Plaxton Pointer bodied B6LEs.[11]
Engines
TD63, 5478 cc, in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1991-1995)
- TD63E - 132 kW (180 bhp), 520 Nm, Euro 1
- TD63ES - 154 kW (210 bhp), Euro 1
D6A, 5478 cc, in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1995-1999)
- D6A180 - 132 kW (180 bhp), 550 Nm, Euro 2
- D6A210 - 154 kW (210 bhp), 700 Nm, Euro 2
References
- ^ Volvo unveils B6R midi Commercial Motor 17 October 1991
- ^ HKBEC - Citybus Volvo B6R/B6LE Gakei
- ^ Goodnight to Vienna for B6 Commercial Motor 15 October 1992
- ^ a b c Volvo B6 / B6LE (UK vehicles only) Bus Lists on the Web
- ^ Volvo opens bus lines in Irvine Commercial Motor 1 April 1993
- ^ "New models: Volvo B6" Fleetline issue 229 August 1994 page 152
- ^ Volvo B6 Buses and Coaches Omnibus Society of New Zealand
- ^ Blue Ribbon Coaches Australian Bus Fleet Lists
- ^ Southtrans Australian Bus Fleet Lists
- ^ Whyalla City Transport Australian Bus Fleet Lists
- ^ a b "Hong Kong Buses: Citybus Limited" Fleetline issue 248 May 1997
- ^ Volvo B6RLE Brisbane Transport Buses
- ^ CDC Group NSW - Hunter Valley Buses Australian Bus Fleet Lists
External links
- Media related to Volvo B6 at Wikimedia Commons
- Media related to Volvo B6LE at Wikimedia Commons