Volvo Buses & Coaches
Volvo Buses & Coaches
Volvo 9700 & 9700 Double Decker
The 9700 family represents Volvo's premium touring-coach offering, combining powerful 13-litre diesel engines with sophisticated safety technology and comfortable passenger accommodation. The single-deck 9700 returned to European production in October 2026 with revised suspension and three body lengths, although availability of the relaunched model in Britain remains to be confirmed. The larger 9700 Double Decker is already established in the UK, with 43 examples ordered for Scottish Citylink and Megabus services. Built with specialist bodywork from Finland's Carrus Delta, the double-decker offers up to 97 seats, making it particularly suitable for long-distance express services and routes requiring exceptional passenger capacity.
Price From: POA / specification dependent
Manufacturer: Volvo Buses
Double-Decker Bodybuilder: Carrus Delta, Finland
Powertrain: Diesel / HVO-compatible
Engine: Volvo 13.0-litre Euro VI six-cylinder diesel
Power: 420 / 460 / 500hp on the relaunched 9700; up to 500hp on the Double Decker
Torque: Up to 2,500Nm
Transmission: 12-speed Volvo I-Shift automated manual
9700 Seating: Layout dependent; final 2026 UK specification unconfirmed
9700 Double Decker Seating: Up to 97 passengers in published manufacturer configurations
Typical Licence: Category D
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
9700 Lengths: 12.4 / 13.1 / 13.9 metres in the relaunched generation
Double Decker Lengths: Approximately 13.0–14.8 metres
Width: Approximately 2.55 metres, specification dependent
Double Decker Height: 4.0 or 4.25 metres
Double Decker Gross Vehicle Weight: Up to 26,500kg
Luggage Capacity: Specification dependent; up to 11m³ on the Double Decker including interior storage
Safety Equipment: Volvo active safety systems, emergency braking, lane assistance and optional camera mirrors
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible and PSVAR-compliant configurations available, subject to specification
UK Availability: Double Decker confirmed in UK operation; right-hand-drive availability of the relaunched single-deck 9700 to be confirmed
View Volvo 9700 Double Decker →
Volvo B8R MCV eVoTor
The B8R MCV eVoTor is Volvo's practical, cost-conscious full-sized coach, developed specifically for British and Irish operators with bodywork from Egyptian manufacturer MCV. Its proven eight-litre diesel engine and comfortable interior make it suitable for private hire, rail replacement, tourism and school transport. Conventional touring versions provide around 53–55 passenger seats, with additional layouts available. A new high-capacity variant introduced for 2026 expands the range to 59 or 72 seats, using either conventional 2+2 or higher-density 3+2 seating. This makes the eVoTor particularly versatile for operators needing a reliable vehicle that can serve different types of passenger contracts.
Price From: POA / specification dependent
Chassis Manufacturer: Volvo Buses
Body Manufacturer: MCV
Powertrain: Diesel / HVO-compatible
Engine: 7.7-litre Volvo D8K Euro VI six-cylinder diesel
Power: Up to 350hp
Torque: Up to 1,585Nm
Transmission: 12-speed Volvo I-Shift or ZF automatic, specification dependent
Touring Seats: 53 or 55 in the standard published range; other operator layouts available
2026 High-Capacity Version: 59 or 72 passenger seats
Typical Licence: Category D
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Body Lengths: 12.6m standard / 12.8m high-capacity
Width: 2,550mm
Height: Approximately 3,600mm
Gross Vehicle Weight: 19,500kg in standard touring specification
Luggage Capacity: Approximately 9m³ in documented touring layouts
Accessibility: PSVAR-compliant and wheelchair-accessible configurations available
Passenger Equipment: Reclining seats, air conditioning, overhead luggage racks, USB charging and optional centre toilet
UK Availability: Current British-market coach; high-capacity deliveries expected from autumn 2026
Volvo B13R UNVI XL
Developed specifically for Britain and Ireland, the B13R UNVI XL combines Volvo's latest heavy-duty touring chassis with premium bodywork from Spanish manufacturer UNVI. The 12.8-metre coach offers 53 passenger seats, or 49 alongside wheelchair accommodation, with a comfortable touring interior, individual USB charging and a centre toilet. Volvo's 500hp 13-litre engine and I-Shift transmission provide strong performance for long-distance journeys, while modern active safety systems and Volvo's established support network appeal to operators seeking a premium vehicle. Series production began in Portugal during 2026. The UNVI coachbuilder guide contains a more detailed description of the body and passenger equipment.
Price From: POA / specification dependent
Chassis Manufacturer: Volvo Buses
Body Manufacturer: UNVI
Powertrain: Diesel / HVO-compatible
Engine: Volvo 13.0-litre Euro VI diesel
Power: 500hp
Torque: 2,500Nm
Transmission: 12-speed Volvo I-Shift automated manual
Seats: 53 passengers, or 49 plus one wheelchair space
Typical Licence: Category D
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Length: 12,800mm
Axles: Two, 4x2 configuration
Passenger Equipment: Reclining seats, air conditioning, USB-A/C charging, centre toilet and audiovisual equipment
Accessibility: PSVAR-compliant specification available
UK Availability: Current UK-market model; series production commenced in 2026
Volvo MCV City Buses – eVoRa & eVoSeti
Volvo's diesel city-bus range includes two established MCV-bodied families designed for intensive public transport and high-capacity passenger work. The B8RLE eVoRa is a low-entry single-decker available in several lengths, with accessible interiors and up to 43 fixed passenger seats in standard layouts. The larger B8L eVoSeti is a three-axle double-decker offering up to 98 seats, making it particularly suitable for school contracts, rail replacement and heavily used regional services. Both use Volvo's reliable D8K diesel engine, automatic transmissions and modern safety equipment. New examples of both families continued entering British service during 2025 and 2026.
Price From: POA / specification dependent
Chassis Manufacturer: Volvo Buses
Body Manufacturer: MCV
Powertrain: Diesel / HVO-compatible
Engine: Volvo D8K Euro VI six-cylinder diesel
Power: Up to 350hp
Transmission: ZF automatic
Typical Licence: Category D
B8RLE eVoRa: Low-entry single-deck bus
eVoRa Lengths: 10.8 / 11.3 / 12.1 / 12.9 metres
eVoRa Seats: Up to 43 fixed seats plus three tip-up seats in published layouts
eVoRa Total Capacity: Up to 95 passengers including standing
B8L eVoSeti: Three-axle double-deck bus
eVoSeti Lengths: 12.0 or 12.8 metres
eVoSeti Seats: Up to 98 passengers
eVoSeti Height: Approximately 4,327mm
eVoSeti Gross Vehicle Weight: 24,750kg
Accessibility: Low-entry accommodation, wheelchair ramps and configurable accessible spaces
Passenger Equipment: Configurable seating, passenger information displays, USB charging and air conditioning options
UK Availability: Both current UK-market bus families, with recent operator deliveries
View Volvo B8L MCV eVoSeti →
Volvo BZL Electric
The BZL Electric is Volvo's principal battery-electric city-bus family for Britain, offered with MCV bodywork in both single- and double-deck configurations. Its flexible single-deck platform covers seven lengths from nine to thirteen metres, while the double-decker provides up to 65 seats within a 10.9-metre body. Modular batteries, rapid charging and regenerative braking allow operators to configure vehicles around individual routes and depot facilities. The range is already firmly established in Britain, with more than 180 BZL Electric buses operating within Greater Manchester's Bee Network by early 2026. Both versions offer low-floor accessibility, modern passenger equipment and Volvo's comprehensive driver-assistance technology.
Price From: POA / operator-specific contract
Chassis Manufacturer: Volvo Buses
Body Manufacturer: MCV
Powertrain: Electric
Motor: Volvo electric drivetrain
Power: 200kW in current published UK specifications
Transmission: 2-speed electric automated gearbox
Battery: Approximately 280–500kWh depending on body, chemistry and specification
Range: Route and battery dependent; no single comparable UK range figure
Charging: Up to 250kW CCS / 300kW pantograph
Single-Deck Seats: Up to 43 fixed seats plus three tip-up seats
Double-Deck Seats: Up to 65 passengers
Total Passenger Capacity: Up to 84 including standing passengers, specification dependent
Typical Licence: Category D
Drive: Electric rear-wheel drive
Single-Deck Lengths: 9.0–13.0 metres
Double-Deck Length: 10,900mm
Double-Deck Height: Approximately 4,300mm
Accessibility: Low-floor passenger accommodation with wheelchair ramp and configurable accessible areas
Passenger Equipment: Heat-pump climate control, USB charging, passenger information systems and modern lighting
UK Availability: Current British-market electric bus, with extensive operational fleets
Important Information
Prices, specifications, dimensions, seating capacities, weights, power outputs and equipment are based primarily on information published by vehicle manufacturers, their official UK representatives and established specialist coachbuilders. Specifications can vary by chassis, body length, drivetrain, configuration, model year and individual vehicle. Where a passenger vehicle is produced or modified by a third-party converter, specifications and pricing may vary substantially between suppliers.
Prices shown are UK prices where available and are intended as a guide. Where an official UK list price is unavailable, pricing may be shown as POA. Prices can change and may exclude optional equipment, conversions, delivery charges or other operator-specific costs.
The Volvo 9700 single-deck coach was relaunched for Europe in October 2026, but confirmed British right-hand-drive new-order availability for the relaunched generation has not been established. Other models featured have confirmed UK sales, deliveries or manufacturer support, although individual specifications and delivery slots may vary.
Passenger seating capacities must not be confused with total passenger capacities. Urban buses may accommodate standing passengers, while wheelchair accommodation, toilets, luggage facilities and executive seating can reduce the number of available passenger seats. High-capacity 3+2 school seating is not directly comparable with conventional touring arrangements.
Licence categories shown are a general guide only. Individual driving entitlement can vary according to passenger-seat count, vehicle weight, vehicle length, licence issue date, grandfather rights, Section 19 operation and other exemptions. Passenger-seat counts used for licence purposes exclude the driver. Always check the vehicle's plated specification and your own driving-licence entitlement before driving.
Electric battery capacities, charging rates and driving ranges are manufacturer figures and depend on specification and operating conditions. Real-world electric range will vary with passenger load, speed, temperature, heating, route characteristics and battery condition.
Specifications are checked against the latest information reasonably available to The New Yardstick at the time of publication or update. Manufacturers, chassis suppliers and coachbuilders may alter specifications, pricing or availability without notice.
Image Credits: Vehicle and product photography remains the property of Volvo Buses, MCV, UNVI, Carrus Delta or the respective copyright holder unless otherwise stated. Images are used for editorial and informational purposes.
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