Volvo B7RLE
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Volvo B7RLE is a low-floor single deck city bus launched initially in Australia in 2001, and then in the United Kingdom in 2003 as an addition to the B7L single decker which was unsuccessful in these two countries. It is more like its predecessor the B10BLE. In essence the B7RLE is the front of the B7L chassis mated with the rear of B7R coach.
The B7RLE's D7C engine is a modern 6-cylinder, 7-litre diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. It produces 290bhp and meets the Euro 3/Euro 4/Euro 5 incentive emissions standards. Unlike the B7L, the B7RLE's engine is mounted at the middle of the rear overhang as opposed to the left, the result is a full rear row of 5 seats and a full width window (rather than 3 rear seats and part of the rear window as on the B7L). The Volvo B7R Low Entry is also equipped with disc brakes and ABS.
The B7RLE has also appealed more to UK operators unlike the B7L and has sold more even though the B7L was launched in the UK market in 2000 (with FirstGroup plc being the only major buyer for the B7L because of the Volvo contract maintenance). UK operators of the B7RLE include FirstGroup, Blazefield Group, Arriva, Wilts and Dorset & Go North East (part of Go-Ahead Group), Lothian Buses and many more.
Initially the B7RLE is only available in the UK with Wright Eclipse Urban bodywork. Since 2004 it is also used as a low floor single-deck coach, with a longer front overhang and the Wright Eclipse Commuter body. As from 2006 the B7RLE in the UK will also be available with East Lancs Esteem bodywork and towards the end of the year, the Plaxton Centro bodywork.
B7RLE can also be found in many other countries, for example, Hong Kong and Singapore. However, many of these buses use their own separate bodywork.
