Volvo 9700 B11R Euro6 – Making a virtue out of Euro6

Body

The front panel lifts up to reveal the FUPS front under run protection system. The spare wheel and tyre is an option

The front panel lifts up to reveal the FUPS front under run protection system. The spare wheel and tyre is an option

Volvo’s restyling exercise is restrained rather than radical but it does freshen the look. The front now has a more pronounced lower lip, the screen is new and so are the mirrors while the Volvo grille is reshaped. At the rear the window is completely new, there is a new upper spoiler and the bumper has been resculpted. Within the spoiler is a reversing camera which gives the driver a wider angle view of the rear of the coach. Previously, the camera was mounted behind an opening flap mid way up the rear section, a position now occupied by Volvo’s ‘Iron mark’ emblem. Whilst the camera does give a better view, Simon wasn’t completely sure that repositioning it was a step forward because it is now not behind a flap which makes it likely that the lens will be covered in road dirt when you need to use it. The engine flap is also new but the light units remain the same.

Access through the flaps to the engine, exhaust system and luggage hold is generally good, though Simon had to stand on tiptoe to reach the main locker flap handle when he wanted to close it and anyone an inch shorter would have struggled to do it. A second lower mounted handle would be useful and this is available as an option. The capacity of the luggage hold is 9.4 cubic metres though specifying a driver’s sleeping berth would take two cubic metres off that.

Interior

At 13.1m, the 9700 holds 53 recliners which can be increased to 55 using the spare double seat provided if the top section of the toilet is removed and the floor section (provided) is put in place. This capacity compares with 49/51 for the 12.3m coach and 57/59 for the 13.8m model.

A good view of the drivers display through the wheel

A good view of the drivers display through the wheel

For the driver, provision is good. Apart from a new larger steering wheel, a reversing camera and sensors have now also been made part of the standard package. The seat is heated and equipped with a flexible microphone, side support, lumbar support and both an adjustable headrest and wings. There is an individual radiator, as there is beneath the bottom step of the entrance, and everything appears to be well laid out. There was no peage window in the entrance door but one can be specified.

At the entrance there are four steps to the platform and a further one to the sloping aisle. A safe is set into the front edge of the aisle step. Hand rail provision is good but the fridge (which can be deleted) protrudes into the step area somewhat. There is also a bulkhead cupboard next to the courier seat.

A 19-inch motorised drop down LED monitor is integrated centrally in the front bulkhead section with a digital clock on the left hand side and a toilet occupation display to the right. There is a DVD system and other audio visual equipment from the Bosch Professional Line range.

Light blue soft trim is applied to the body sides beneath the windows, the curtains and the roof centre strip are in shades of blue while the rack lockers doors and the trim around the centre door are grey and so are the window capping mouldings. All in all it looked well coordinated and in keeping with the seat trim.

With the lights on, the interior demonstrates its colour coordination and luxurious feel

With the lights on, the interior demonstrates its colour coordination and luxurious feel

Comparing the coach with Dew’s own Euro5 model, it appeared that the angle of the seating had been altered on the new coach so that the slope of the theatre style seating continues to rise, whereas on Simon’s coach the seats level out more towards the rear of the saloon. The reclining seats themselves are not completely new, they were fitted on late Euro5 models, but they are 7kg per double lighter in weight than their predecessors. Nevertheless they are comfortable, quite elegant and well equipped with adjustable footrests, folding tables, magazine nets, external three point belts, handles, aisle armrests and lateral slide. Trim is leather to the outer sections of the seat and the side panels with the centre seats section in a velour type material; the whole thing set off with a Volvo badge.

In the rear corner seats, the curtain retainers are badly positioned impeding your shoulder

In the rear corner seats, the curtain retainers are badly positioned impeding your shoulder

Sat in the rearmost row, I found the curtain retainer poorly placed on both sides of the saloon, as it dug into your shoulder.

Mounted in the offside centre of the saloon, the sunken toilet compartment is moulded in grey with blue toilet seat lid. It is well appointed with good headroom though the shape of the back wall section protruding above the seat is restricting. Alongside, the stairs have illuminated edges and are well provided with handrails on both sides. Above the toilet compartment was a Bosch LED flip down monitor of the same 19-inch size as the one mounted centrally at the front. A drinks machine was located on the side of the compartment and this I found slightly odd because it was impossible to shut the roller shutter style door without a key to lock it in position. Some kind of retaining catch would have improved it.

Overall I thought the standard of finish was good with no obvious failings noted. All the aluminium edging strips lined up properly.

You also get a blue box from Volvo with each coach. This contains an on board safety DVD, a full set of chassis related manuals within a leather case, a Sat Nav DVD, a Sat Nav remote, an audio visual remote, the audio visual equipment manuals, the Servicenetworks Europe guide, wiring diagrams, air conditioning information and a handover pack.

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