Volvo 9700
| Volvo 9700 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo |
| Production | 2001–present |
| Assembly |
Lieto, Finland Tampere, Finland (-2008) Wrocław, Poland Tultitlan, Mexico |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Commercial vehicle |
| Body style | Coach |
| Doors | 1-1-0, 1-0-1, 1-2-0 |
| Floor type | Step entrance |
| Chassis | Volvo B12B, B12M, B7R, B9R, B13R, B11R, B8R |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10.3–15.0 m |
| Width | 2.55 m |
| Height | 9700S: 3.42 m 9700H: 3.61 m 9700HD: 3.73 m |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Star 302, Star 502, Star 602 Vector 330, Regal 350, Volvo 7550 |
| Successor | Volvo 9800 |
The Volvo 9700 is a range of coaches introduced by Volvo in 2001 as a replacement for the Carrus Star and Vector/Regal models. There are three main models in different heights; 9700S (3.42 m), 9700H (3.61 m) and 9700HD (3.73 m). The 9700S is only available in the Nordic countries. In addition there is the stripped down 9500 and the 9900 with theater seating. The coaches come in a variety of lengths up to 15 metres, depending on models and markets. Volvo 9700 is currently sold in most of Europe and North America (including Canada, United States and Mexico). Replacement Volvo 9800, has started to produce in Mexico's AB Volvo plant, and will arrive replacing 9700 in Europe in early-mid 2017.
Carrus had for many years great success in the Nordic countries with the Star model range descending from the Delta Star and also the Vector/Regal model range from Ajokki. After Carrus was acquired by Volvo in 1998 the models also came available in other European countries under a variety of different names like Volvo 7450 and 7550. In 2001 Volvo gathered all the different models to one name, Volvo 9700, and on one single platform, the Volvo TX, inheriting most of the visual characteristics from the Star models. Serial production of 9700H and 9700HD started in the summer of 2001, while 9700S came into production in the autumn. All three heights were built by Carrus Oy Delta in Lieto, while Carrus Oy Ajokki in Tampere only built 9700H and 9700S. In 2003 production also started at Volvo Polska Sp. z o.o. in Wrocław, Poland, where only 9700H and 9700HD are built. Ever since the start the plants in Finland have served the Nordic markets, while the Wrocław plant has served the rest of Europe, including the UK. As always there has been a few exceptions to this rule for various reasons.
For the Nordic markets they were fitted on both B12B (rear-engine) and B12M (mid-engine) chassis, with both configurations proving to be nearly equally popular. The B12M being the most popular among old Volvo customers, while the B12B became the choice for new customers. Many customers who earlier had their Carruses built on Scania or Mercedes-Benz chassises chose to become Volvo customers to still be able to get their coach body of choice. In the Wrocław plant they were built on B12B only. Even if not being a general offer, a small batch of 9700S were built on B7R chassis in 2004 for a Finnish operator. Also a very small number of the first generation 9700 were built on B9R chassis, but this may have been entirely for testing.
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