Euro6 Leopard’s zero weight increase

Plaxton’s new Leopard has achieved a zero increase in weight for Euro6 models. With the first Euro6 version now fully certified, its weight on a like for like specification is slightly less than that of the equivalent Euro5 models. It is based on the Volvo B8R, a direct replacement for the B9R. The manufacturers have aimed to greatly improve its environmental credentials and comparable chassis specification. With almost 40 orders received for this model, over half have called for the Euro6 version, including ten which are destined for the rental fleet of Dawson Bus and Coach and six for Babcock, which form part of the requirements for the Ministry of Defence in 2014.

Plaxton Business Development Director, Kevin Wood, said, ‘This is a massive achievement for us and possibly the first for any manufacturer. To be able to offer a Euro6 vehicle with no weight increase over the Euro5 equivalent is something which nobody had expected could be done but thanks to close collaboration with Volvo and our experience of building lightweight structures, that’s exactly what we’ve achieved.’

Volvo Coach Sales and Product Director, Ian Downie, said, ‘At Volvo we’ve always been conscious of our responsibilities to the environment and the B8R represents the new generation of Volvo coach platforms which can boast emissions levels we could only dream of, even just a few years ago. To have done all this with no weight penalty is a massive achievement which will offer our customers huge benefits.’