Volvo B9 vs B5

[milspii]

This is probably a noob question but: what are the exterior differences between the B9 and the B5s? I know the B5 has a smaller 5 litre engine but, especially looking at the gemini 3 bodied buses, I can't seem to tell a difference.

 

[Driver362]

We have both Geminis 2 and 3 on B5 chassis . Telling a B5 and B9 Geminis apart is a bit tricky to the man in the street as both look very similar. However underneath they are very different. B5 has diesel electric drive and as you correctly said has a 5 litter engine electric motor and a bank of batteries. These also use the volvo ishift gearbox. I'm guessing for complete integration of the driveline. I'm not certain on the power of electric motor but on pulling away you get full power then a certain continuous amount of power for cruising if you like. Our particular gemini 3 bodied buses are all B5 with the above driveline. They are instantly recognised by the more angular lines design. Both are brilliant to drive IMHO but the gemini 3 probably edges it for me. The B5 gemini 3 is a impressive machine and I enjoy driving them a lot. There will be rivet counters on here will be able to explain better than I can i think they also recover electricity from braking come to think of it

 

[CN04NRJ]

We have both Geminis 2 and 3 on B5 chassis . Telling a B5 and B9 Geminis apart is a bit tricky to the man in the street as both look very similar. However underneath they are very different. B5 has diesel electric drive and as you correctly said has a 5 litter engine electric motor and a bank of batteries. These also use the volvo ishift gearbox. I'm guessing for complete integration of the driveline. I'm not certain on the power of electric motor but on pulling away you get full power then a certain continuous amount of power for cruising if you like. Our particular gemini 3 bodied buses are all B5 with the above driveline. They are instantly recognised by the more angular lines design. Both are brilliant to drive IMHO but the gemini 3 probably edges it for me. The B5 gemini 3 is a impressive machine and I enjoy driving them a lot. There will be rivet counters on here will be able to explain better than I can i think they also recover electricity from braking come to think of it

Don't the B5TLs have ZF gearboxes and the B5LHs the (terrible) I shift?

Not sure if you've got any B5TLs at country only the hybrids?

 

[Jordan Adam]

This is probably a noob question but: what are the exterior differences between the B9 and the B5s? I know the B5 has a smaller 5 litre engine but, especially looking at the gemini 3 bodied buses, I can't seem to tell a difference.

The main difference on the Gemini 3 & Gemini 3 (Facelift) is that the upper deck side glazing is significantly more shallow to help save weight.

Here's a photo to compare all generations. Left to right: Gemini 1, Gemini 2, Gemini 3 & Gemini 3 (Facelift). The front bumper design is also different on all models.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48073612@N04/27422913264

The rear the design of the Gemini 3 is also entirely different to all previous models. Here's a Gemini 3 (Facelift) along side a Gemini 2 (note the same rear design on the Gemini 2 was also used for the Gemini 1 on the B9TL chassis).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lothian_buses/37381079710

*"Gemini 1s" are normally just referred to as the Gemini, however for the purpose of this post i've added the 1 to avoid confusion.

Don't the B5TLs have ZF gearboxes and the B5LHs the (terrible) I shift?

Not sure if you've got any B5TLs at country only the hybrids?

Indeed B5LH's have I-Shift, B5TLs have ZF. Lothian Country don't have any B5TLs.

 

[Driver362]

Don't the B5TLs have ZF gearboxes and the B5LHs the (terrible) I shift?

Not sure if you've got any B5TLs at country only the hybrids?

I didn't say we had. He asked a broad question about B5 and B9 and I answered as such. Lothian don't call them B5 TL's as far as I'm aware they are just B5L's. Which you are correct on we don't have any B5 L' s only LH's. I've never even driven one as if I had I would have included that too. I couldn't comment what gearbox they have as I said I've never driven one. But then again I think you knew that I was referring to a LH I don't find I shift terrible as I said I like driving them. Shure the twin clutch ones change quicker but I have my own technique and get along just fine with it

 

[Jordan Adam]

I didn't say we had. He asked a broad question about B5 and B9 and I answered as such. Lothian don't call them B5 TL's as far as I'm aware they are just B5L's. Which you are correct on we don't have any B5 L' s only LH's. I've never even driven one as if I had I would have included that too. I couldn't comment what gearbox they have as I said I've never driven one. But then again I think you knew that I was referring to a LH I don't find I shift terrible as I said I like driving them. Shure the twin clutch ones change quicker but I have my own technique and get along just fine with it

The badges on them state B5TL. The letter after the number indicates the engine position, so on a B5L (none exist) the engine position would be the same as on the B5LHs with the longer rear overhang. On the B8L (Enviro400XLBs) the rear overhang is the same length, however there's a (fixed) tag axle fitted, so visually the overhang looks shorter.

I agree a dual clutch I-Shift would be far better on the B5LH, especially on city routes. However i find the performance of a I-Shift bus really is driver dependant.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I didn't say we had. He asked a broad question about B5 and B9 and I answered as such. Lothian don't call them B5 TL's as far as I'm aware they are just B5L's. Which you are correct on we don't have any B5 L' s only LH's. I've never even driven one as if I had I would have included that too. I couldn't comment what gearbox they have as I said I've never driven one. But then again I think you knew that I was referring to a LH I don't find I shift terrible as I said I like driving them. Shure the twin clutch ones change quicker but I have my own technique and get along just fine with it

It was a genuine question, I didn't know if there were any B5TLs at LCB and misread your post - sorry if I caused offense? I certainly didn't intend to.

I've seen a few of the B5TLs with just B5L badges, but most of them have B5TL on back.

I haven't driven a B5LH yet so can't comment on them, but I don't particularly enjoy driving the 7900s purely because the gearbox isn't really suited to intensive city work. In my opinion of course.

 

[Eyersey468]

I found the B5TLs we run to be underpowered when first pulling away, B9TLs are better in that respect IMO, though the main issues with our B5s are with the MCV bodywork, they are built to a price and it shows.

Edited to clarify its the B5s with MCV bodywork, nearly all our B9s are Wrights apart from 5 ADL E400 bodied ones

 

[Mikey C]

B5TLs look pretty similar to B9s, with the same length wheelbase, but I assume the Gemini 3 bodywork with the shallow upper deck windows is only available on the B5

The B5LH is easy to spot, as it has a notably shorter wheelbase, which to me makes it look a bit awkward! This is also a way of identifying ADL bodied B5LHs from normal E400s (there are a few with this combination in London with Stagecoach)

 

[Driver362]

I have an appolgy to make just today I was behind Lothian 469 and it was badged B5TL. First I've seen. However the bus I'm on now is 577 Badged as a B5l but is very much a long wheelbase hybrid.The only short wheelbase B5 H 's we have are ex Bullock' s 591/4

 

[Jordan Adam]

I've seen a few of the B5TLs with just B5L badges, but most of them have B5TL on back.

I have an appolgy to make just today I was behind Lothian 469 and it was badged B5TL. First I've seen. However the bus I'm on now is 577 Badged as a B5l but is very much a long wheelbase hybrid.The only short wheelbase B5 H 's we have are ex Bullock' s 591/4

The ones with the "B5L" badges are all B5LHs. It's quite common on Volvos for the badges to have a shortened name. Hence all the B7RLEs just state "B7R".

 

[CN04NRJ]

I have an appolgy to make just today I was behind Lothian 469 and it was badged B5TL. First I've seen. However the bus I'm on now is 577 Badged as a B5l but is very much a long wheelbase hybrid.The only short wheelbase B5 H 's we have are ex Bullock' s 591/4

Don't understand the passive aggressiveness on this forum but okay.

 

[Driver362]

Passive aggressive?? I was making appoligies for opening my mouth without engaging my brain not sure what more you want fella. I made a mistake and corrected it and eat humble pie.

 

[Driver362]

The ones with the "B5L" badges are all B5LHs. It's quite common on Volvos for the badges to have a shortened name. Hence all the B7RLEs just state "B7R".

Correct in fact I should have looked closer to home as 591/4 are badged B5 TL but are hybrids?? Km I correct in saying the 7900's are the same power pack but de tuned? Maybe omnicity999 can shed light on that one

 

[Jordan Adam]

Correct in fact I should have looked closer to home as 591/4 are badged B5 TL but are hybrids?? Km I correct in saying the 7900's are the same power pack but de tuned? Maybe omnicity999 can shed light on that one

Indeed, the 7900H is technically just a integral single deck B5LH. 591/594 will be badged B5TL in error.