Volvo Buses' new Volvo 8900 intercity bus is lighter, more fuel efficient and has solutions that facilitate the maintenance of the bus, according to the manufacturer. Bus operators are required to choose vehicles with lower fuel consumption and lower emissions than before. The Volvo 8900 is a solution to these requirements, being an intercity bus with lower environmental impact that features a number of different solutions to reduce the operating costs.

The new 8900 replaces the 8700, which is built in the plant in Wroclaw, Poland, with a steel body, and the Volvo 8500, which is built in Saffle, Sweden, with an aluminum body. In the new Volvo 8900, Volvo Buses has chosen to create an entirely new body with a composite of various materials. "Through this type of construction, we can use the materials that are best suited for various functions," says Project Manager Carl-Johan Ragnarsson. "We have thus succeeded in reducing its weight and made it easier and less expensive for the operators to perform maintenance and repair work."

The body structure consists of aluminum profiles that are bolted together and the roof is also made of aluminum. The front and rear modules are made of steel, which features such advantages as being easy to mold into an attractive design.

The side panels are manufactured from fiberglass and various plastics that are glued to the structure. These side panels are particularly easy to replace if damaged.

As a result of the new construction, Volvo Buses has managed to reduce the weight of the Volvo 8900 compared with its predecessors. The weight reduction varies between the different models, but is in the range of 200-300 kilograms.

The new construction provides a rigid body that contributes to favorable drivability for the driver and a high level of comfort for the passengers. The new construction also facilitates the achievement of a very high level of precision and building quality.

The driver's seat on the Volvo 8900 has a long list of adjustable settings for the seat and steering wheel to be universally adaptable regardless of whether the driver is tall or short. The adjustments are situated where the drivers wanted them.

The new Volvo 8900 is available in different versions. For customers who need a bus with luggage space, a normal-floor version is available in a 12.2 meter and 13.0 meter variety. It is equipped with Volvo's seven-liter 290-horsepower engine, available as Euro 5 or EEV unit. In addition, the seven-liter engine can be equipped with a particle filter that further reduces particle emissions. This engine is also available in the Volvo 8900 low-floor 4x2, which comes in 12.0 and 13.0-meter versions.

A low-entry version is also available as a 6x2 in 13.7 and 14.7 meter lengths. In these versions, customers can choose between the seven-liter engine and nine-liter Euro 5 engine with 380 horsepower. This engine is equipped with Volvo's fuel-efficient I-shift transmission. In the other models, customers can choose between the ZF and Voith transmissions featuring the new Topodyn and Sensotop shift programs, which adapt shifting to the topography, thus further reducing fuel consumption.

The two engines are adapted for operating on up to 100% biodiesel. The engine compartment and heating areas feature fire detectors and the engine compartments can be equipped with a sprinkler system.