The Swedish manufacturer says it has already received firm orders for 12 coaches with options for 10 more, before the first vehicle has been built
Volvo Buses says it has secured signed orders for more than a dozen Unvi XL B13R two-axle coaches, with customers holding options on a further 10 vehicles in the final stages of specification, just three months after the model’s announcement. Volvo and Unvi will build the first vehicle, a 53-seat model, over the coming months, ahead of a comprehensive product testing and evaluation phase planned
to commence in late autumn. Customer deliveries are expected to start during summer 2026, with the B13R chassis being assembled at Volvo Buses’ factory in Boras, Sweden, before bodying at Unvi.
Roddy Macdonald, Managing Director of Isle of Lewis-based Lochs Motor Transport, one of the first fleets to place an order, said: “We were in the market for a frontline touring coach and this new Volvo had everything we were looking for. It’ll be doing a variety of work, from cruise ship contracts, to taking school trips and pipe bands onto the mainland, as well as private hire work for some of our high-end clients who demand the best. We wanted the 13-litre engine as it’ll spend most of its time at full capacity, plus at 12.8m-long it keeps us from crossing over into the more expensive ferry category for vehicles over 13m.
“We have Unvi bodywork on several other vehicles in the fleet and the build quality is superb. When you’re based on an island in the Outer Hebrides, you have to have absolute confidence in the products you operate. For us, the Volvo and Unvi partnership is a meeting of two very trusted brands.”
Managing Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland Domenico Bondi commented: “This order is testament to the long-standing relationship we enjoy with Lochs Motor Transport and the experience the customer already has of Unvi products in the UK. The Volvo B13R chassis offers fantastic fuel efficiency, to enhance the total cost of ownership for operators. When coupled with the Unvi platform, we are confident it will deliver the perfect combination of durability and comfort for long range routes.” Product Director at Volvo Bus UK & Ireland Josef Gisslow added: “We have been bowled over by the level of interest in our new B13R full-size coach. It’s exceeded all expectations at such an early stage in the project, and it’s exciting to see so many operators sharing in our vision for the new model, and in our partnership with Unvi.”
The new addition to Volvo’s range is being targetted exclusively at UK and Irish customers, adding a further option to Volvo’s coach range which now begins with the 12.6m B8R MCV EvoTor, launched in 2024, and powered by a 7.8-litre engine. The 12.8m B13R XL’s premium specification and powerful 500hp, 13-litre engine pushes it to the top end of the single-deck coach market, whilst Volvo also offers the B13R 9700 DD double-decker with bodywork from Finnish bodybuilder Carrus Delta.
The B13R Unvi XL is available with 53 seats and a centre sunken Shades freshwater toilet. Following customer feedback since launch, Volvo says a PSVAR-prepared option has also been developed which allows for ease of PSVAR conversion in the future. An eMirror CMS (camera monitoring system) is also now available as a customer option, in place of traditional mirrors, and a three year, 300,000km warranty will cover the body and chassis, along with a structural warranty of 12 years.
