Midi Volvo on sale
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by Noel Allier
VOLVO BUS has certified the first B9M midi coach built to British specification.
The 9.7m vehicle has a 4.6m wheelbase chassis and a 3.4m high Van Hool Alizee body fitted with 41 reclining seats.
Chassis components common to the larger B1OM are a mid-mounted 180kW (245hp) Volvo THD100EC engine driving through a ZF S 6.80 manual gearbox.
Other 139M chassis are currently being bodied by Plaxtons, Jonckheere and Caetano and will also be offered with Berkhof coachwork.
Orders for the B9M, which was announced at last year's Motor Show, have already been received from such operators as Ralph's Coaches of Slough, Capital Coaches, Epsom Coaches, Glenton Tours and Parks of Hamilton (CM, August 17). The first Gaetano Algarve bodied vehicle will be fitted with full air conditioning.
The B9M, in common with all Volvo mid and rear-engined chassis is only available with full air suspension. Leaf spring 1310M options have now been discontinued.
The chassis is supplied to bodybuilders with only a temporary fuel tank to leave bodybuilders to fit the most suitable size of tank to accom mod a re maximum luggage capacity.
Chassis price for the B9M, which is suitable for 9.5m to 9.7m coachwork, is .U7,000. Agreed body options approved by Volvo include air conditioning, sunken toilet compartment, and a water heater. The chassis is not supplied with a spare tyre although a rim is included.