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| Volvo B12BLE | |
|---|---|
 Nobina Volvo B12BLE withVolvo Säffle 8500LE integral body. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Buses |
| Production | 2001-2013 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 2-3 (1-2-0, 2-2-0, 1-2-1, 2-2-1, etc.) |
| Floor type | Low floor/Low entry |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Volvo DH12D/DH12E |
| Capacity | 41 to 67 seated |
| Power output | 340hp 1700Nm |
| Transmission | ZF 5HP552C, 6HP552C, 5HP602C, 6HP602C, 6HP604C Voith D864.4, D864.5 Volvo I-Shift AT2412C |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 12.0m, 12.8m, 13.7m, 14.5m and 18.0m |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo B10BLE |
| Successor | Volvo B9RLE |
TheVolvo B12BLE is alow-entrycity andsuburban bus chassis launched in 2001 with a rear-mounted transverse engine. It superseded theVolvo B10BLE and is used as a base forsingle-decker buses largely inContinental Europe and theAsia-Pacific regions. The B12BLE was available in the Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific markets, while the B12BLEA was largely built for Australia only.[citation needed]
The B12BLE features the 12-litre Volvo DH12 engine, which is based on the D12 engine fromVolvo FH trucks. The DH12D engine meets Euro 3 emission level, and DH12E meets levels 4 and 5 with SCR technology. The engine is mounted horizontally, as it was in theB10BLE. The radiator is mounted at the rear on the right-hand side.
From its launch in 2001 until 2005, it was available with the Euro 3 DH12D engine andZFEcomat2 &Voith D864.3E automatic transmissions. From 2004/2005, the B12BLE was available with an updated electrical system. Available transmissions were 6-speedZF 6HP602C,Voith DIWA864.3E and theVolvo I-Shift
In 2006 the chassis was updated with DH12E engine andZFEcomat4 /Voith D864.5 transmissions to meet Euro 4 & 5 emission standards.
The B12BLE was also available in thearticulated form since 2005, which is known as theB12BLEA chassis. The B12BLE can be available in therigid,tri-axle andarticulated form.
The B12BLE is also available as a complete integral bus in Europe - theVolvo 8500LE andVolvo 8700LE.
In 2011, the Volvo B12BLE was superseded by theVolvo B9RLE and subsequently theVolvo B8RLE.
Numerous public transport operators in Australia operate many B12BLE buses, either in the Euro III or Euro IV and Euro V guises. Most of the B12BLE chassis that go to Australia are bodied by Australian companies such asCustom Coaches,Volgren, andBustech.
The Volvo B12BLEA was conceptualized for theState Transit Authority (STA) ofSydney, Australia because theB7LA was too underpowered for many of Sydney's bus routes due to the hilly terrain. STA placed an order for 80 B12BLEA articulated buses, and they were assembled with Custom Coaches bodywork. The world's first B12BLEA entered service with STA in late 2005, under the fleet number 1661 (m/o 1661). The buses are powered by the 12-litre Volvo DH12 diesel engine with 6-speed ZF 6HP602C and 6HP604C automatic transmission.[citation needed]
STA also ordered additional B12BLEA's in the Volgren CR228L body. The Volgren bodied buses were mostly seen running the high capacityMetrobus services. Most of the buses are built in Volgren's Tomago factory while the rest were built in Dandenong.[citation needed]
The Volvo B12BLE also come in a 12.5m configuration in Custom Coaches bodied CB60 and CB60 Evo 2 bodies. Volgren 12.5m variants were also ordered in both 12.5m and 14.5m bodies both Euro 5 compliant. The 12.5m Custom Coaches CB60 are Euro 3 compliant while the newer CB60 Evo 2 bodied buses are Euro 5 compliant.[citation needed]
In 2011,Transperth ordered 30 Volvo B12BLEAs. They were to be assembled withVolgren CR228L bodywork.[citation needed]
Transport for Brisbane purchased 119 B12BLEs in 2011 (with a further 30 in 2013), all of them are tri-axle.[1] These are used on several high-frequency bus routes, mostly on theSouth East Busway. Transport for Brisbane were also the last bus operator in the world to order B12BLEs.
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Two Volvo B12BLEAs are operated bySentosa under the guise of a beach tram running on the island's Siloso Beach Tram route. The rear module of the bus consists of a large, sheltered standing area with an al-fresco seating area on the elevated part of the bus where the drive axle. These buses are bodied byComfortDelGro Engineering (CDGE) Corporation and are speed-limited for safety reasons. The vehicles were in Purple Livery.
