Volvo and UNVI team-up for new coach
Volvo Buses is to provide a new full-size luxury coach to the UK and Irish markets following the signing of a bodybuilder agreement with Spanish manufacturer, UNVI.
The new model was announced jointly today by Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, and Eloy Pérez, CEO of UNVI. They were speaking at the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) Members Annual General Meeting and Conference, hosted at Volvo Group UK’s head office in Warwick.
Deliveries of the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL are expected to start from summer 2026. The new model will initially be offered as a 12.8m-long, 4×2 single-deck coach with a choice between 53 passenger seats, or 49 passenger seats plus one wheelchair space.
Deliveries of the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL are anticipated to commence from Summer 2026.Deliveries of the new Volvo B13R UNVI XL are anticipated to commence from Summer 2026.
Bondi says: “This marks one of the most important new product announcements since I joined Volvo Bus UK & Ireland three years ago. A massive amount of work has gone into developing this new coach, from both Volvo and UNVI – it’s a hugely exciting moment.”
Commenting on the specification of the new model, he adds: “An exceptional coach requires first class build quality, excellent chassis geometry, a smooth-riding suspension and a driveline offering industry-leading performance and efficiency. That’s precisely what we bring with the B13R chassis – and when paired with this new UNVI body, we’re confident we’ve got a fantastic product which will set the benchmark for coach travel.”
The Volvo B13R UNVI XL will initially be offered as a 12.8m-long, 4×2 single-deck coach.
Eloy Pérez said: “The scale of this opportunity with Volvo Buses is huge. From the first exploratory conversations with Domenico and his team last year, we knew we wanted to be a part of this project.
“It comes at an incredibly exciting time for UNVI. Whilst this year we celebrate 30 years in bus and coach bodybuilding, our eyes are always on the future. We have developed a hard-earned reputation for product quality, style and comfort – match it with the Volvo B13R chassis, and we have a truly winning formula.”
Onboard
The new Volvo B13R UNVI XL is to feature Brusa Create 120 ‘top flair’ seating as standard. The reclinable seats each come with three-point seat belts, armrests for aisle seats, two-position footrests, a magazine net, tray back table, seat flaps and enhanced upholstery in automotive fabric and contrasting faux leather. It will also have seatback USB-A and USB-C charging sockets, fabric curtains, generous overhead luggage stowage and interior and gangway LED lighting.
Air conditioning is to be taken care of using a ThermoKing climate control system. Other passenger amenities include personal reading lamps and speakers connected to the onboard Bosch AV system, which features twin AEC TFT 22inch screens. A courier microphone is located by the crew seat, and a driver’s microphone integrated into the driver’s seat. A diesel pre-heater is also included as standard.
There will also be a Shades Technics centre sunken freshwater toilet, plus an estimated 9.5m3 of capacity in the main luggage compartment.
Driveline
The new Volvo B13R UNVI XL is to be powered by the latest generation 13litre Euro VI diesel engine and a 12-speed Volvo I-Shift transmission. The engine can deliver up to 500hp and 2,500Nm of torque. It has the option to run on either hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) or biofuel.
This latest model also comes with the Volvo Active Safety Platform, compliant with EU GSR2 regulations. This is in addition to standard features including Lane Keeping Support, Collision Warning & Emergency Brake and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Manufacturing
Volvo Buses will assemble the B13R chassis at its factory in Boras, Sweden. The chassis will be bodied at UNVI’s production site in Ourense, Spain, before delivery to the UK for pre-delivery inspection.
The new Volvo B13R UNVI XL joins Volvo Bus UK & Ireland’s existing line-up of bodied coaches, which already includes the 12.6m Volvo B8R MCV eVoTor single-deck coach, with a choice of 53 or 57 seats. For maximum passenger capacity, it is complemented by the Volvo 9700 double-deck 6×2 coach with Carrus Delta bodywork, available in multiple interior configurations and with vehicle lengths ranging from 13m to 14.8m.
All Volvo buses and coaches delivered into service benefit from access to an 80-strong network of Volvo Truck & Bus dealer-points spanning the UK and Ireland, plus extensive dealer coverage across Europe.
UNVI body parts are to be held in stock and available for next day delivery via the Volvo Coach Parts Sales Centre in Loughborough.