First orders made for Volvo B113R UNVI XL
Volvo Buses has secured signed orders for more than a dozen Volvo B13R UNVI XL 4×2 single-deck coaches.
Additionally, customers hold options on a further ten vehicles in the final stages of specification. The developments come just three months after the model’s announcement.
Volvo and UNVI will build the first vehicle, a 53-seat model, over the coming months, ahead of a comprehensive product testing and evaluation phase commencing in late Autumn.
Customer deliveries are planned to start during summer 2026, with the B13R chassis being assembled at Volvo Buses’ factory in Boras, Sweden, before bodying at UNVI.
“…this new Volvo had everything we were looking for” – Roddy Macdonald, Managing Director of Lochs Motor Transport
Roddy Macdonald, Managing Director of Isle of Lewis-based Lochs Motor Transport, one of the first fleets to place an order, says: “We were in the market for a frontline touring coach and this new Volvo had everything we were looking for.
“It’ll be doing a variety of work, from cruise ship contracts, to taking school trips and pipe bands onto the mainland, as well as private hire work for some of our high-end clients who demand the best. We wanted the 13-litre engine as it’ll spend most of its time at full capacity, plus at 12.8m-long it keeps us from crossing over into the more expensive ferry category for vehicles over 13m.
“We have UNVI bodywork on several other vehicles in the fleet and the build quality is superb. When you’re based on an island in the Outer Hebrides, you have to have absolute confidence in the products you operate. For us, the Volvo and UNVI partnership is a meeting of two very trusted brands.”
“This order is testament to the long-standing relationship we enjoy with Lochs Motor Transport” – Domenico Bondi, Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland
Domenico Bondi, Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, comments: “This order is testament to the long-standing relationship we enjoy with Lochs Motor Transport and the experience the customer already has of UNVI products in the UK.
“The Volvo B13R chassis offers fantastic fuel efficiency, to enhance the total cost of ownership for operators. When coupled with the UNVI platform, we are confident it will deliver the perfect combination of durability and comfort for long range routes.”
“We have been bowled over by the level of interest in our new B13R full-size coach” – Josef Gisslow, Product Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland
Josef Gisslow, Product Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, explains: “We have been bowled over by the level of interest in our new B13R full-size coach. It’s exceeded all expectations at such an early stage in the project, and it’s exciting to see so many operators sharing in our vision for the new model, and in our partnership with UNVI.”
The Volvo B13R UNVI XL is a new addition to Volvo’s range and is being tailored exclusively to meet the demands of UK and Irish customers. The 12.8m coach’s premium specification and 500hp, 13-litre engine sees it sit at the top end of the single-deck coach market.
The Volvo B13R UNVI XL is specified with 53 seats and a centre sunken Shades freshwater toilet. A fully PSVAR compliant coach can be operated either as 53-seats, or 49 seats plus one wheelchair space. Following customer feedback since launch a PSVAR-prepared option has been developed which allows for ease of PSVAR conversion in the future. An eMirror CMS (Camera Monitoring System) is also now available as a customer option, in place of traditional mirrors.
The new model comes with a three year/300,000km warranty (whichever comes first) covering the body and chassis, plus a structural warranty of 12 years.