BNB on the right course
Page 16
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• Six months after its debut at the Geneva Trans Public Show, Volvo Bus has launched the right-hand-drive version of the }MOB single-decker, described by VB's director of product marketing Bill Russell as "the chassis so many of our customers have been asking for."
The rear-engined BlOB will supersede the now defunct Leyland Lynx integral, thereby giving Volvo Bus greater sales potential in the rear-engined single-deck bus market — particularly with operators who want to specify their choice of bodywork.
The BlOB is powered by the latest low-emission version of Volvo's 180kW (245hp) horizontal 10-litre engine.
The charge-cooled THD103KF has Bosch's electronic diesel control (EDC) as standard which allows it to meet the Euro-1 exhaust emission regulations due on October 1993.
Volvo Bus says the THD103KF will also be able to meet the even tougher 1996 Euro-2 standard with only minor modification, and certainly without the need for particulate filter traps.
Right-hand-drive B1OBs will be sold with a choice of either ZF or Voith automatic boxes. The standard transmission is the 4HP500 four-speeder with the latest EST control system and an integral retarder.
The BlOB's standard spec includes all-round air suspension with a kneeling facility which can lower the chassis height forward of the front axle to as little as 485mm. The low front overhang allows for a two or three step entrance.
By locating the swing-out coolant and charge-cooling radiators on the right-hand side of the chassis in front of the back axle, engine access should also be improved.
Walter Alexander of Falkirk will be the first UK bodybuilder to body the 5.8m wheelbase BlOB which can carry up to 53 seated passengers and 22 standing. Plaxton, Northern Counties and Wrights will also offer 1310B bodies.
Volvo Bus has already snapped up some £3,5m worth of BlOB orders for 37 chassis, with 12 going to Liverbus, 20 to Yorkshire Rider and five to West Riding Automobile Company, Volvo has also scored a major coup in Holland by winning the order to supply 60 BlOBs to Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram in a deal worth E.6.25m.
The BlOB shares many corn ponents with the mid-engined BlOM coach chassis: according to Volvo Bus the B1013 has only 240 new unique parts.
Speaking at the UK launch of the BlOB last week, Volvo Bus managing director Sandy Glennie revealed that the bus and coach maker is planning to spend more than £,100m over the next five years on bus product development.
Despite suffering a loss of E15m last year, mainly due to the restructuring of Leyland Bus, Glennie says Volvo Bus Corporation has its highest order bank ever.
Among the new products expected to hit the UK this year will be a revised Olympian double-decker which should break cover around October this year.
And the company claims that its new B6B midibus has been "embarrasingly successful". B6B chassis are available for immediate delivery to bodybuilders.
0 Volvo Bus has extended the driveline warranty cover on all bus and coach chassis sold from June this year.
On these vehicles the current 12month driveline cover goes up to 24 months or 300,000km, with parts and labour covered.