| Volvo B6BLE | |
|---|---|
 AWright Crusader 2 bodied B6BLE ofFirst York. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo |
| Production | 1999-2001 |
| Assembly | Scotland (1999-2000) Sweden (2000-2001) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Midibuschassis |
| Doors | 1 or 2 |
| Floor type | Low entry |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Volvo D6A |
| Capacity | 5.5 litres |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10.1 metres or 10.7 metres |
| Width | 2.4 metres |
| Height | 2.7 metres[citation needed] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo B6LE |
| Successor | Volvo B7RLE |
TheVolvo B6BLE was a ~5-litre enginedlow-entrymidibus chassis manufactured byVolvo between 1999 and 2001, with three unfinished or unsold chassis being bodied in 2004 and 2005.
The Volvo B6BLE was presented in November 1998[1] as a replacement for theB6LE. Compared to the B6LE it had a new lower chassis frame with increasedlow floor area, independent front suspension giving more than 10 cm wider gangway between the front wheel arches, and front end "kneeling", giving a 25 cm entrance height. Like its predecessor, it continued to compete with theDennis Dart SLF.
A total of 346 known B6BLEs were produced between 1999 and 2001,[2] including two for Australia, nine for Norway and two for Sweden. When the Irvine plant was closed in 2000, production moved to Sweden. The last buses were registered as late as April 2002, but the model year on the chassisVINs reveal that they were built in 2001, waiting to be bodied.
A further B6BLE was delivered forPlaxton'sBus 2000 concept in 2004, followed by a secondBus 2000 B6BLE in 2005, but the VINs indicate that they were initially manufactured in model year 2000. A third chassis was available for theBus 2000 project in 2005; however, it was not required, and was instead sold to New Zealand and bodied byKiwi Bus Builders.[3] This chassis had 1999 as model year.
In some markets, the B6BLE was followed by short-wheelbase variants of theB7RLE.
D6A, 5478cc, in-line 6 cyl. turbodiesel (1999-2001)
Media related toVolvo B6BLE at Wikimedia Commons