Gandhinagar: Volvo Buses India, the bus business of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has unveiled India’s first original equipment (OE)-built Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper coach at PRAWAAS 5.0 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Designed to combine premium seating and sleeper travel in a single coach, the new offering is aimed at enhancing passenger comfort while helping fleet operators improve operational efficiency.
The Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper has been developed for both short- and long-distance intercity operations, tourism and pilgrimage routes. Built on Volvo’s globally proven coach platform, it combines world-class engineering, superior ride quality and advanced safety technologies to meet the growing demand for premium bus travel in India.
Speaking at the launch, S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said the Indian bus industry is witnessing a shift towards premium travel experiences, while operators are increasingly seeking higher productivity and efficiency. He noted that the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper expands Volvo’s premium coach portfolio with a flexible solution that delivers safety, luxury and passenger comfort.
Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, said the Volvo 9600 platform has already established new benchmarks in luxury coach travel. The newly introduced Seater-Sleeper variant addresses the increasing demand for flexible premium transportation by combining sleeper berths and reclining seats within a single coach configuration.
The 15-metre coach is powered by Volvo’s fuel-efficient VEDX8 engine paired with an I-Shift automated transmission. It accommodates 51 passengers, including 24 sleeper berths (21 upper-deck and 3 rear berths) and 27 premium lower-deck seats with calf support. The vehicle also offers 6 cubic metres of luggage space, making it suitable for long-distance commercial operations.
Passenger comfort has been a key focus of the new coach. The Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper features refreshed interiors, ambient mood lighting, premium berths and seats, integrated entertainment provisions, mobile charging points and enhanced privacy features. The coach also includes a fully integrated kitchenette and an onboard toilet, providing added convenience during extended journeys.
Setting a new benchmark in safety, the coach introduces an extensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Key features include a 360-degree Camera System, Electronic Mirror (Camera Monitor System), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Driver State Monitoring System and an Alcohol Interlock System that prevents vehicle operation if alcohol is detected.
The coach is also equipped with an advanced telematics solution that enables operators to monitor vehicle location, speed, fuel consumption, performance and operational alerts in real time, supporting improved fleet management and operational efficiency.
With the launch of the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper, Volvo Buses India continues to strengthen its premium coach portfolio while reinforcing its commitment to delivering safer, smarter and more comfortable mobility solutions for India’s evolving passenger transport sector.