Volvo B6

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.

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
SuccessorVolvo B6BLE
Preserved Plymouth Citybus Plaxton Pointer bodied B6 in Bristol 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

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The B6-45 midicoach suffered from disappointingly low sales in the UK - by 1995, when the RHD version was withdrawn from sale, only fourteen had been built.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
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 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 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
  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. 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. "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
  • Media related to Volvo B6 at Wikimedia Commons
  • Media related to Volvo B6LE at Wikimedia Commons
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