[GB] Hybrid d/d 3 - Volvo B5L

After much delay - and my ill-starred attempts so far catching the type ever since they went into service a year ago, it's time to look at the final type of hybrid double decker line-up, the Volvo B5L.



The B5L is, of course, Volvo's stab on the hybrid market. It is hardly the only hybrid they have - the same drvietrain has been put onto the integral 7700 and currently offered to customers. Sticking with Volvo's tradition, the Integrated Starter Alternator Motor (I-SAM) drivetrain is fully developed inhouse. Being a parallel drive system, it is the biggest difference between the B5L to ADL's E400H and Wright Gemini 2 HEV, both of which uses a serial drive hybrid drivetrain. The I-SAM system is coupled to a Volvo D5E 4-cylinder 5-litre engine. At 210bhp, it is a bigger and more powerful engine comparing to its competitiors. It is also fitted with a Volvo i-Shift 12-speed gearbox, a rather unique feature as the other two do not have a gearbox at all. It is also fitted with Lithium-ion batteries to store the electricity that helps powering the system.



Volvo's argument is that a parallel drive system is more versatile, and makes it more adaptable beyond citybus operations. In fact, Volvo intends to put the system not just on buses, but on other products such as trucks in the future. The upshot is the B5L is expected to use more fuel in citybus operations, which its competitors excel, but the Volvo is much more adaptable for longer distance, interurban operations.

Whether it is the case or not, I cannot tell at the moment as the vehicle I sampled, Volvo demonstrator BK10MGV (as First's 39200), broke down on its final trip in service with First West Yorkshire, barely 200m after I got on. However, after over a year in service with Arriva London's 6 prototypes, the experience seems promising enough to encourage follow up orders - 20 more are due to go to Arriva, again for London, 6 for First for operations in Leeds, and another 5 demonstrators are built for demonstration around the country.



The curtailed experience is not going to tell me (or you) a lot to be honest, but one thing doesn't take long to notice - the lower deck layout is a bit of a mess. The drivetrain is fitted in-line, like the unpopular (in the UK) B7L and the (unsold in UK) B9L. As a result, the rear overhang is much extended, and the "toilet" is back at the offside rear. However, because the rear of the floor is occupied with batteries, the rearmost seats a rised, making it a lot more civilised and less cramped comparing to those on the B7L. The downside is the B5L is no longer a full low floor bus, unlike its competitors or, for the matter, its diesel sister B9TL. The quantity of low-floor seats is not great either, with just 6 available even on a single door example.



In comparison, the ride itself is quite decent. Despite the ISAM system needs the engine to help out more often, the D5E engine is quiet, making it no more noisier than, say, a B9TL (which is a quiet bus in its own right). In fact, it is quieter than the Gemini 2 HEV, but not so to the E400H. By having a proper gearbox, you can feel the smooth gearchange, making the B5L feeling more like a bus (while the Gemini 2 HEV feels like a tram, and the E400H is somewhere in between).



Overall, the B5L is a fair bus. It has a decent drivetrain, and has a comfortable ride and proved fairly popular with drivers. However, the layout is really a let-down - why Volvo is so stubbornly sticking with the inline layout is buffling. I really think they are better off with the transverse engine version like on the B9TL, which will give a much more respectable layout. At least though, it's reliable and economical enough to sufficiently acclaim some favour. It's not as good as a E400H certainly, but the B5L certainly outperform Wrightbus' own Gemini 2 HEV. How the B5L will perform in the market remains to be seen, but for now, early sign is looking fairly promising.

New B5L looks much better than the old front and is a cute little bus. I suppose Boris will buy more of these Hybrid to London. Is it right isn't it?

原帖由 Enviro400_Fake 於 2010-8-23 15:38 發表
New B5L looks much better than the old front and is a cute little bus. I suppose Boris will buy more of these Hybrid to London. Is it right isn't it?

Read what I've written. The answer is already there.