The Volvo 9700 is a range of coaches introduced in 2001 to replace the Carrus Star and Vector models. It comes in three body heights and in lengths up to 15 metres, and is still built for the Nordic market under licence in Finland.
Volvo 9700 at a glance
| Introduced | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Models | 9700S (3.42 m), 9700H (3.61 m), 9700HD (3.73 m) |
| Lengths | up to 15 m, depending on model and market |
| Related models | 9500, stripped down; 9900, theatre seating |
| Platform | Volvo TX |
| Chassis | B12B and B12M, later B13R and B11R |
| Built in | Lieto and Tampere, Finland; Wrocław, Poland |
| Generation 2 | 9700 NG, 2006, Coach of the Year 2008 |
| Generation 3 | 9700 UG, 2012 |
| Mexican replacement | Volvo 9800, 2015 |
History of the Volvo 9700
Carrus had long success in the Nordic countries with the Star range, descended from the Delta Star, and with the Vector and Regal models from Ajokki. After Volvo bought Carrus in 1998 these coaches were sold elsewhere in Europe under names such as Volvo 7450 and 7550. In 2001 Volvo gathered everything under one name and one platform, the Volvo TX, and the 9700 was born, keeping most of the visual character of the Star.
The 9700S, 9700H and 9700HD differ in height, from 3.42 to 3.73 metres; the 9700S is sold only in the Nordic countries. Below the range sit the stripped-down 9500 and the 9900 with theatre seating. Series production of the 9700H and HD began in summer 2001 and of the S in the autumn at Lieto, while the Tampere plant built H and S versions. Polish production started in 2003 at Wrocław, where only H and HD are built. Finnish plants served the Nordic markets and Wrocław the rest of Europe, including Britain.
Chassis and lengths
Nordic coaches were built on the rear-engined B12B and the mid-engined B12M, both about equally popular, the M favoured by established Volvo customers and the B by new ones. Polish-built coaches used B12B only and were limited to standard lengths of 12, 13, 13.8 and 15 metres, while Finland built almost any length. A small batch of 9700S used the B7R chassis in 2004 for a Finnish operator, and a very few early coaches were built on B9R. EU rules limiting two-axle vehicles to 13.5 m in 2003 affected the range, and the 9700HD came as a tri-axle from 13 to 15 metres, with a super-short 10.32 m two-axle version on the B12M.
Later generations
The 9700 NG of 2006 brought all-new styling, and won Coach of the Year 2008 from European bus journalists. Volvo closed its Finnish operations on 1 October 2008 and sold the Lieto plant back to Finnish investors as Carrus Delta Oy, which still licence-builds Nordic coaches. With Euro V the B12B gave way to the B13R, which was too tall for the 9700S until the B11R arrived in 2011. The 9700 UG followed in November 2012, and the 9800 replaced the 9700 in Mexico from 2015, with a double-decker 9800DD in 2018.
Design and features
- Three heights: from the 3.42 m 9700S to the 3.73 m 9700HD.
- Long bodies: up to 15 metres with two or three axles.
- Two chassis layouts: rear-engined B12B and mid-engined B12M.
- Award-winning design: the 9700 NG was Coach of the Year 2008.
- Wide market: sold across Europe and in North America.
Volvo 9700 versions
- 9700S: low-height coach for the Nordic countries.
- 9700H and 9700HD: medium and high coaches for Europe and Britain.
- 9700 NG (2006): new generation with restyled body.
- 9700 UG (2012): upgrade generation with Euro VI chassis.
- 9800 (2015): Mexican market replacement.
The 9700 replaced the Carrus Star and shares its coach range with the Volvo 9900, while city work is covered by the Volvo 8900. More buses are in the Volvo collection.
Sources
- Volvo 9700, English Wikipedia: origins, models, chassis, generations, plants
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