Here is probably the biggest launch of a new range of heavy buses at Auto Expo 2012. Volvo is not only raising the standards in its current segment but is now well set to bring in a new coach aimed at the second tier of routes and cities in India. The expanded range of Volvo now includes three new models that are the first-of-its kind in India. These take place just months after Volvo announced its ambition to be a $1 billion company in the next five years. In effect, Volvo will expand its bus range from just three in the last few years to 10 different models in 2012, thus becoming India’s biggest range of high-performing buses. It has also enhanced FUPS and FIPS standards to new levels.
Volvo has set a new standard in luxury coaches with the Volvo 9400PX. It is the longest inter-city coach yet in India at 14.5 mtr. Step inside the coach and discover the finest of interiors with the most luxurious environment. Take a ride and discover a new dimension of comfort in road travel from the most well-built bus as you glide on for miles. It is a coach in its own class and an inspiration to travel, like never before.
The Volvo 7400XL is India’s first multi-axle bus with a steered axle. It is ready to support efficient mass bus-based transport systems to move more people. It will take the Volvo City Bus Concept to a new level.
The Volvo 9400PX is built on the new light-weight Volvo PX platform that provides even better grade ability and acceleration as well as enhanced stability and larger luggage space. The new coach also packs a performance like never before with the New Volvo 11-litre engine with 370 hp. Another key feature is the steerable tag-axle for better roadhandling and manoeuvrability. The automatic gear changing system provides high drive and ride comfort, better fuel economy and high braking power of 400 to 600 kW.
The spacious interior of the vehicle offers opportunities for customers to incorporate a range of passenger conveniences like pantry, toilets, etc.
If the Volvo 7400 helped move people away from their personal vehicles and save fuel, emissions and road space, the Volvo 7400XL will do this with even greater intensity. It can carry almost 55 per cent more people and as a result, improve upon fuel and road space use by as much as 30 per cent. Imagine what this can do for growing cities, high occupancy routes and for de-congestion? The savings are profound.
Most importantly, this new city bus from Volvo comes after 10 years of deep understanding of high-performing bus applications in India. Manoeuvrability in the city is gracefully tackled by the steered tag-axle allowing the bus to take on tight roads and turns of a city.
Built for Asia, from Asia
The company enters the second tier of routes in India with the Volvo 9100 Coach. This is a global introduction for Asia, from Asia. This new coach is an integral part of Volvo Buses’ ambition to drive quality of transport across the country to more and more cities and routes.
The Volvo 9100 embodies the company values for safety, quality and care for environment. The engine is optimized for a range of driving conditions and is backed by Volvo’s rich experience of 10 years in high performing bus applications on Indian roads. The coach is designed to meet medium distance applications and has been designed to take the Volvo experience to millions of new passengers.
For the bus operators the Volvo 9100 presents an unbeatable business proposition in transport economy, offering excellent value in fuel efficiency, maintainability and overall operating costs. It highlights the organization’s local product development competencies.
The Volvo 7700 Hybrid is a commercially-produced hybrid bus model. Its predecessor has been on the market for some years and both fuel savings and reliability have been proven in commercial operation. The hybrid technology is probably the most versatile driveline solution when it comes to combining environmental improvement with performance, economy and uptime.
The bus model has special features like new lighter body design, increased passenger capacity, up to 37 per cent fuel savings, 40-50 per cent lower exhaust emissions and quiet and emission-free at bus stops. It is designed for both inner city and suburban traffic conditions, and comes with a comprehensive business solutions package.
Customers now have the power of choice in high-performing buses like never before. The Volvo Bus range in India now will include: Volvo 9400 4×2 290 and 340hp; Volvo 9400XL multi-axle, Volvo 9400PX multi-axle, Volvo 9100 coach, Volvo 7400 city bus, Volvo 7400XL city bus, Volvo 7400CNG city bus and the Volvo 7400 semi-low floor.
Volvo Buses has led the way by introducing the first-of-its-kind safety features by any bus manufacturer. As part of its stated value of safety, it has introduced the front impact protection (FIP) and front under-run protection (FUP) systems. FIP is a frontal collision protection system, which effectively spreads the force of an impact into the frontal structure. Full-scale tests show that FIP considerably cuts the risk of serious personal injury.
The FUP system significantly minimises the risk of injury in the event of frontal collisions between buses and cars. It consists of a steel structure behind the bumper that prevents the oncoming passenger car from becoming wedged under the bus while at the same time offering excellent protection for those components that are fitted at the lower front part of the coach.