Giant achievement

When two giants of industry meet they make a product to be reckoned with. That’s what happened when the Volvo B12R MKll bus chassis met the Marcopolo Paradiso G7 DD Coach body.

When two giants of industry meet, they make a product to be reckoned with. That’s what happened when the Volvo B12R MKll bus chassis met the Marcopolo Paradiso G7 DD Coach body.

With the new coach body mounted on the legendary B12R – and onto the new Volvo Premier B430 – 450R coach chassis – the combination is expected to result in a fuel saving of up to five percent: that’s impressive. The B450 R coach chassis is equipped with an electronic stability programme for rollover protection, EBS and an integrated retarder, all maximising safety. The coach is equipped with a new multiplex control panel and retractable instrument panel, which displays instruments such as the reverse gear and interior cameras, which has improved drivability. One of the most promising features of the vehicle is its low cost of maintenance. The chassis also features the latest engine developments, with the D1 1A Euro 5 engine delivering 332 kW and 2 150 Nm of torque at 950 to 1 400 rpm.

With all safety features met, next comes luxury – and the coach doesn’t fall short. An electronically controlled air suspension system guarantees not only comfort but also safety. Engineers and designers have realised the importance of passenger and driver comfort and haven’t skimped on any necessities. The driver’s cabin has been fully redesigned. A larger, easily accessible door and a full frontal dashboard have been installed. Importance has also been placed on ergonomic seats and driver controls placed well within easy reach, while the driver and co-driver’s compartment has been redesigned to allow easy access. The exterior view has been widened and the co-driver’s seat shifted back 400 mm to allow for more legroom.

Passengers needn’t worry about comfort either, with LED reading lights, individual outlets for air-conditioning and earphone jacks provided. The toilet is spacious and features an extractor fan that’s been engineered to be less noisy and improve airflow. Both the flush and faucet system are sensor-based. The stairs feature sensory LED lights that light up when motion is detected and mounted on the roof are 38 cm and 45 cm LED monitors providing a better view at any angle.

So the giants of industry met. They spoke. They delivered a damn good coach.