The Volvo 9600 15-metre sleeper bus; travelling first class on wheels

The sleeper coaches were unveiled to the media at the Hosakote plant near Bengaluru in Karnataka in both the 15m and 13.5m variants. Both the models are modern and stylish, thereby setting a benchmark in luxury and comfort.

The 15m tall boy designed sleeper coach has 40 berths and has a 9.2 cu.m of luggage space under its belly. We got to experience a short ride in the new 15 metre sleeper coach. Both the exterior as well as interior are of top notch global standards. As Akash Passey, President - Bus Division at VE Commercial Vehicles told visiting journalists in Bengaluru, “It’s a brand new platform. This same model is available in Sweden, German, Canada and the US. As for this, it’s built in India and made in India”.

In essence, that means the Volvo 9600 launched in India by VECV is as good as the one available in any of the developed countries worldwide.

EXTERIOR

One cursory look at the bus and you realise that the Volvo 9600 sleeper coach is one imposing vehicle which is so  smartly designed and made. The bus has a length of 15 metres, a height of 4 metres and a width of 2.6 metres, making it not only a tall boy but also a broad boy. It’s got a wheelbase 8.26 metres and a permitted GVW of 22,200 kgs.

To put things in the right perspective, Volvo sleeper coaches made earlier were not fully made by Volvo, rather their buses were restructured by local body builders. With government norms evolving, Volvo has finally decided to make the entire sleeper bus, from head to toe at its factory in Hosakote.  Their global quality standards are quite evident when we look at the bus from outside as well as inside.

The Volvo 9600 has a galvanized tubular structure with anti corrosive paint. In front it gets a large windshield with signature V shaped lights with DRL. The front structure is now even further enhanced. In the event of a collision, the front framework can absorb more energy. It also covers a wider spectrum of impact angles and heights. It gets an in swing type pneumatic passenger door.  The features include lights on the sides with indicators, large ORVMs and a very imposing rear.

For keeping the heavy luggage of the passengers, there is a large 9 cu metres of flatbed kind of space in its belly area which can be accessed from both sides.  The bus, as is mandatory, also gets an emergency door on its right side.

INTERIOR

Once you step inside the bus, you can see for yourself the richness of materials used and also the several utilities for the passengers. The passenger section gets a flat floor. The side windows are pasted and toughened with tint, besides being very wide, offering a panoramic view. The berths for the passengers are well cushioned with back rests in case someone wants to sit up and lean on the side walls to read a book or magazine. The material used is very rich and elegant.

Every berth in the sleeper bus has a spacious head room and space to keep personal belongings. You also get privacy curtains, storage shelves, children friendly soft touch handles, ladders and restrainers without any metal surface exposed. You also get Individual USB charging ports, Individual AC louvers and reading lights. Berth layout is in 2x1 configuration.

The bus has 40 berths, a seat for a 1 driver and co driver. Usually, it is the driver and co driver of a bus who are generally neglected. The driver has access to a pleasantly curved dashboard where everything is in the right place. He has immediate access to all the buttons and levers on the dash. The driver gets an air suspended seat including forward and reverse movement with adjustable headrest, for a truly premium experience.

The driver space is also equipped with a full length retractable type sun visor, quick access tray and an illuminated cabin for a relaxing driving experience. Driving comes easy with a hydraulic power assisted

steering, heated and electrically operated three-piece rearview mirror complemented by rear view camera with a 7” screen. The driver can also lower and raise the bus level from the ground for situations that warrant it, thanks to the air suspension with electronic control.

ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE

At the heart of the Volvo 9600 platform is the tried, tested, powerful and fuel-efficient Volvo D8K(8-litre) BS VI engine, delivering a power of 350hp@2200 RPM and a peak torque of 1350 Nm@ 1200-1600 RPM. The fuel-efficient engine along with its purpose-developed drivetrain is designed to minimize TCO and maximize uptime for bus operators.

The chassis includes the I-Shift automated manual gearbox, electronic braking system (EBS) Hill start aid and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) systems. The bus has a fuel tank capacity of 540 litres with an Ad Blue capacity of 50 litres. 

The front axle is rigid and steerable; the rear axle is single reduction hypoid axle while the tag axle is also rigid and steerable. This makes it a lot easier to manoeuvre on narrow roads. The turning radius of the sleeper coach is 11 metres.

The bus has 295/80 R 22.5 18PR tubelesss radial tyres and as for its braking it gets Electronic braking system (EBS), including ABS. Other features include Hill start aid and electronic vehicle stability control (EVSC). The EVSC increases stability at higher speeds. The fire extinguishers and roof hatches ensure uncompromised passenger safety too.

Now the choice is yours, whether to travel in a Volvo 9600 sleeper bus or to throw all environmental caution to the winds and travel in a fancy car, especially when travel interstate.