The Swedish bus maker Volvo Buses India launched the next-gen 9600 platform, with the first offerings on the platform being the factory-built sleeper and seater coaches in 15m 6x2 and 13.5m 4x2 configurations.
Based on European design standards, the seater and sleeper applications incorporate 15.1 cu.m and 9.2 cu.m of luggage space, respectively. While the 13.5m coach seats up to 47 passengers, while the sleeper variant hosts 36 berths.
The corresponding luggage space for the seater and sleeper variants are 13.6 cu.m and 8.1 cu.m, respectively, a press release from the company noted.
Meanwhile, the Volvo D8K 8-litre engine is powering the bus, delivering 350hp of power at 2,200 RPM and a torque of 1,350 Nm at 1,200-1,600 RPM.
Moreover, the chassis includes the I-Shift automated manual gearbox, electronic braking system (EBS) Hill-start aid and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) systems.
Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “The goal of our bus division at VECV is to shape the future of the Indian bus industry, and to transform public mobility.”
Akash Passey, President, Bus Division, VECV, said, “The Volvo 9600 platform merges award winning bus design, technology and manufacturing processes with our successful ‘Make-In-India’ journey.”
Notably, the coaches on the Volvo 9600 platform will be manufactured at the company’s Hosakote plant, the release added.