EBE10—Proud New Volvo

Euro Bus Expo 2010 Index

Here was the world début of the new Volvo B13R, a tri-axle coach of proud proportions. Seating 53, it does over 15m what it was once acceptable to do over 36 feet (as we used to all them) or 11m. Incredible when you think about it but today’s customers are fewer but with much higher aspirations.

There were actually two B13Rs on display. One featured a newly revised Panther body, one of two on display, that appears to retain the cabside curve and raked windscreen but with a redesigned area under it, to bring it almost into line with the Élite, without diluting the Élite’s image. Offering the same length, Megabus’ example was a 65 seater and not dissimilar to the 60 “mark 1” Panthers in build or ordered. Megabus’ had a compromised aisle width but generous seat widths. The seats reclined imperceptibly.