(04 Aug 2020, 7:37 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I disagree that the B5 is too weak, perhaps for what GNE needed for the X9/X10, but in general it's plenty powerful.

The issue is that they don't have a more powerful variant like the B8, but that's not a fault of the B5

Same with the StreetDeck, the issue isn't a lack of power, it's just not geared for higher speeds. At least they offer a 6 cylinder variant now

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The problem is it is too weak though, it's in no-where land. People who want a powerful bus will go for for something more powerful as it's not good enough, the fact Transdev have changed has pretty much proved this.

Those who want a cheap bus will go for a Streetdeck or Enviro as they're cheaper.

Then those who want a Volvo bus and the B5TL is powerful enough  will go for the B5LH as it's better for the environment and more eco friendly. The sales for the B5TL has pretty much proved this as there's no-one who really use it.


https://volvobusesenvironmentblog.wordpr...ids-in-uk/

Also if that's true the improvement for the B5TL over the B9TL isn't particually great. Whatever way you look at the B5TL is doing horrendously sales wise in comparison to the B7TL/B9TL and you just have to look at GNE who bought one batch and then went straight back to the Streetdeck for the Angel / X21.

(04 Aug 2020, 8:18 pm)mb134 wrote The E400 is 6.7L I believe - which has been shown to be ample for the majority of work operators require a decker for, the only real exceptions up here would likely be the X9/X10 and X93. 

To be honest I think the B7TL was pretty much the sweet spot. Not too small an engine to stress it out constantly on routes such as the GNE X21 or ANEs plethora of express work, but not that big that it's overkill for a route that just runs about at a max of 30mph all day.

I don't think it's any real surprise that we're still seeing B7TLs used on some demanding routes right across the country. I wonder if Volvo came out with something similar now, given that many operators are seeing first hand how durable the B7 is in terms of sheer lifespan, how it would fare sales wise. I think they'd immediately get orders from Lothian and likely Transdev, but I wouldn't be surprised to see First and Arriva go in on it.

Ah yeah it is 6.7L, I always thought it was the engine around 5.9L which I believe Arriva's Gemini's have.

Yeah I have totally agree on the B7TL though, perfect bus and the fact they pretty much dominated in London but then we're being rattled between Leeds and York and Middlesbrough and Newcastle at the same time and still are on the Cityzap.

Personally I don't get why they don't ditch the B5TL and push the B5LH and make a 2 axis B8L which is (7.7 litre). Could imagine the likes of Transdev and even GNE would take them in seconds if they weren't overpriced since they've (particually Transdev) been loyal to Volvo for years.