Many in the Australasian bus and coach industry would’ve become accustomed to Volvo’s premier B11R coach. Since its introduction to the local market in 2015, the B11R, combined with a variety of body options, has been a predominant product for Australian operators.
As an innovator in the local chassis space, Volvo Bus Australia has never been one to stand still. Despite enjoying the success of the B11R, the global bus brand has been working in Australia and New Zealand over the past couple of years on an exciting update to its coach range.
“The new B13R will be a premium coach experience and an improved productivity platform for our customers,” Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden says.
“It was developed with operators and drivers in mind and is designed to meet the demanding operating conditions of Australia, with a firm focus on safety, comfort and productivity.”
Having been launched globally at the start of 2023, the Volvo B13R is now set to become the latest addition to Volvo Bus Australia’s fleet. It joins the likes of the popular B8R and B8RLE models that have become the backbone of Volvo’s range in Australia, as well as the trusted B11R coach that it will eventually replace.
Volvo Bus Australia head of product and engineering for Asia Pacific Mark Fryer says the B13R continues on the same development as previous Volvo models that have been “tried, tested and reliable” in the Australasian market over many years.
“We’ve already had a handful of customers purchase the B13R model in Australia,” Fryer told ABC.
“We’re looking to begin our deliveries to customers in the coming months to roll them out onto local roads.”
Fryer says there are plenty of upgrades to the B13R that will see it become another beloved member of the Volvo stable. The new model features a newly designed electrical architecture and an updated safety package that reiterates Volvo’s commitment to its core value of safety.
Alongside safety, Volvo Bus Australia’s focus with the B13R has been on emphasising its total cost of ownership, allowing operators to get maximum value for their investment. Volvo has done this by completely redesigning its electrical system and building a new digital display dash to make life easier for drivers around the region.
While still in the driver’s bay, Volvo Bus Australia has increased the movement of the steering column in order to improve driver ergonomics, while tweaks to the rear axle have resulted in a brand new transmission being made available in this modern coach. Alongside Volvo’s iShift transmission that has historically come as standard on its vehicles, the B13R also comes with an option for overdrive, which helps reduce revs on high gears and ultimately saves fuel usage.
“Simulations and testing done by Volvo globally has shown that this transmission, when incorporated with other advancements, has been found to have fuel savings of up to nine per cent,” Fryer says.
“This has been done through a range of changes, including by adding a new 13L engine with the transmission.
“Then, the new electrical architecture allows us to adjust our variants to suit operator needs for when they want to tackle different routes and typography.”
This latest change means Volvo’s newest coach isn’t just ideally designed for typical Australian conditions. The B13R’s electric architecture means it can run a variety of operations, from normal charter work around Australia to more complex tourism work in New Zealand’s renowned mountainous ranges – it can even run a standard Melbourne to Sydney route without much hassle.
While safety has always been a major focus for Volvo, flexibility is key with the B13R. The variations added to the coach model means Volvo Bus Australia can cater the coach down to the finest of features to provide a versatile vehicle that can run different requirements. To add to the benefits on offer, the B13R also features a larger engine and the biggest AdBlue tank that Volvo has ever offered the local market at 90L.
If you’re an Australasian operator, expect less trips to the service station to fill up on AdBlue with the B13R, creating a whole other avenue of cost benefits.
“The B13R can be made to be perfect for the hilly typography of New Zealand and other regions, as well as the harshest of Australian conditions,” Fryer says.
Further savings can be found in the new engine compartment layout, which includes a unique cooling system operated by electrical fans and lower engine revs at cruising speed. Coming in either a 460hp or 500hp power level, the B13R’s engine can also be run on biofuel to improve its environmental performance and footprint.
Fryer says the model’s powerful and highly fuel-efficient driveline and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 26,500kg offers a luggage and passenger capacity that is unparalleled.
Once the model is on the road, Volvo customers can reap the rewards of longer service intervals, with the 13L engine and its unique cooling system with electrical fans extending the need for maintenance. The temperature in the engine bay is kept low and uniform in all conditions, giving the engine the optimum conditions to run in.
It wouldn’t be a Volvo bus or coach if it wasn’t tailored around driver and passenger safety. These new design elements included in the B13R, as well as the brand’s unique dynamic steering, provides smooth power and gear changes and light steering to keep everyone onboard comfortable.
Alongside the renowned Volvo Bus safety package that includes the likes of lane keeping support, Volvo dynamic steering and the driver alert system, the B13R has many reasons why it is set to be the spearhead of Volvo Bus Australia’s modern fleet.
The arrival of the new fuel-efficient diesel model complements the suite of sustainable products available, joining the manufacturer’s electric offering. With the Volvo BZL Electric launching in Australasia in 2021, Fryer says it’s still remained groundbreaking as an electric option, with the B13R set to join it as an impressive new model.
Once the B13R is officially operating on Australasian roads, Peden says Volvo Bus Australia will use the new model to provide a basis for existing vehicles being updated.
“Volvo will, in time, update the electrical architecture of the B8R, B11R and BZL models,” Peden says.
“We’ll be doing this to comply with international standards for cybersecurity UN R155 and R156. Although they’re not yet Australian laws, we expect it to be coming into Australia soon, so we’ll be prepared for it.”
With Volvo once again launching a model in the Australasian region that is set to impress operators, Peden and his team are looking to continue building Volvo’s local power in 2024 and beyond.
“We’re excited to help more Australian operators become more sustainable in 2024,” Peden says.
“Alongside our BZL Electric, the B13R launch makes for an exciting moment for Volvo Bus Australia in its history.”