Volvo B9TL

Volvo B9TL
Prototype Volvo B9TL (Volgren-bodied, as Kowloon Motor Bus AVD1) seen in service on the last day (15 December 2004) before it left temporarily for further testing.
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo
Production	2002–present (3-axle) 2006–2014 (2-axle)
Body and chassis
Doors	1 or 2 doors
Floor type	Low floor
Powertrain
Engine	Volvo D9A/D9B
Power output	Volvo D9A: 300hp, 340hp Volvo D9B: 260hp, 310hp
Transmission	Voith DIWA ZF Ecomat ZF EcoLife
Dimensions
Length	2-axle: 10.3m, 10.4m/10.6m, 11.3m, etc. 3-axle: 11.3m, 12m, 12.8m
Width	2.55m
Curb weight	19 tonnes (2 axle), 23.3 tonnes (3 axle)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo B7TL (2-Axle) Volvo B10TL Super Olympian (3-Axle)
Successor	Volvo B5TL (2-Axle) Volvo B8L (3-Axle)

The Volvo B9TL is a low-floor double-decker bus built by Volvo Buses since 2002. It superseded the older Volvo B10TL (also known as the Super Olympian) and the Volvo B7TL, and was superseded by the Volvo B5TL in Europe. Production of the 3-axle B9TL is currently built, the 2-axle version has ceased production in 2013/2014 and was superseded by the Volvo B5TL.

The B9TL chassis shared the same design of the B7TL. The key difference from both its predecessor, the B10TL Super Olympian and B7TL, is the new 9.3-litre engine originally designed by Renault Trucks. The radiator is located at the rear offside, similar the smaller B7TL. The front module design is shared with other low-floor bus chassis built by Volvo, and independent suspension is fitted at the front axle (replaced by conventional front suspension after some years of production).

The B9TL was initially offered in three-axle format, and the two-axle variant was added in 2006 to replace the B7TL. The driveline comprises a Volvo D9A Euro III engine (rated at 300 bhp or 340 bhp), which was later replaced by the Volvo D9B Euro IV/V/EEV engine (uses selective catalytic reduction technology; two versions were offered - the D9B260 rated at 260 bhp for two-axle version, and a higher powered D9B310, rated at 310 bhp, for three-axle version), and coupled to a ZF 5/6-speed gearbox. Volvo also offer the Voith four-speed gearbox as an option.

The front wheels of three-axle B9TL are usually supplied by ALCOA of the USA, but some buses (including the three prototypes) have all their wheels supplied by ALCOA.

A Volvo B9TL prototype was delivered to Hong Kong in July 2003 for Kowloon Motor Bus as a demonstrator for the Eco-Driveline concept (a large differential ratio, an engine with high low-end torque, and a six-speed automatic gearbox with double overdrive ratios). However, the Volgren CR223LD body (which is actually known to have been assembled in Switzerland) had a width of only 2500mm instead of the usual 2550mm. After months of testing, the bus was registered as LJ7006 and numbered AVD1 in March 2004. It was put into service in April 2004.