cnbus 3001 - Volvo B7RLE/Sunwin SWB6120V4LE
	Sunwin Demonstrator

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Creative Master Northcord Limited 

Having made the significant success of its previous cnbus ranges, Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its third Sunwin-bodied cnbus casting. This is cnbus 3001, a Volvo B7RLE with Sunwin body that carries forward the family resemblance of the original cnbus 1000 range onto this new, low-floor chassis.

The livery is that of the Ba-Shi Group on which many Expo 2010 decorations have been applied. These include front, side and rear destinations and the mascot for Expo 2010 on nearside and on rear as well as, on the offside, the “Better City – Better Life” slogan that has been at the heart of Shanghai’s redevelopment leading up to May 1st 2010.

The Volvo B7RLE chassis, which is the basis for the Sunwin SWB6120V4LE, features the Volvo D7E290-EC01 7.1 litre engine rated at 290bhp coupled to a ZF 6HP automatic gearbox. The bus measures 11880mm in length, 2500mm width and varies in height depending on a/c pod that is fitted. These different a/c pods make its height 3150, 3230 or 3300mm. The bus has a 6300mm wheelbase.

Although some components originate from Volvo’s European facilities, much of the content is now sourced within the PRC. Of the 1500 buses that were ordered in June 2009 for delivery to Ba-Shi Group before the start of Shanghai Expo 2010 on 1st May 2010, over half were to be B7R or B7RLE chassis.

cnbus 3001 captures the latest development from the well-known Shanghai Sunwin / Volvo B7R. The face of the Sunwin SWB6120V4LE retains the updated look represented on some cnbus 1000 models from cnbus 1010 onwards, but with a subtle re-design that brings the lower windscreen edge closer to ground level, because of the super low floor interior, along with shallower front panels.
The face of the SWB6120V4LE / Volvo B7RLE retains the newer style of driving lights and driver rear-view mirrors. The high-mounted door-step illumination and reversing indicator within the mirror arm on the nearside of the bus is included.

The most recognisable change from cnbus 1000 is in the sleek look of the side windows with their deeper glazing that brings the bottom of the window line very close to the top of the wheelarches. This allows the few passengers who are fortunate to be seated within the low-floor area and the many passengers who are standing in crush-loading conditions an unrivalled view through the side windows.
The glazing is applied from the outside on the cnbus 3000 range, in line with recent CMNL developments. The rear dome, with very shallow rear window, and deeper engine access door are further notable modifications to the original cnbus 1000 range casting. The engine access door opens to reveal the different engine and components when compared to the original cnbus 1000 range. Although not included on cnbus 3001, there is a high-level brake light repeater situated in the rear dome below the window on the 2009 and 2010 deliveries.

CMNL is making further modifications onto the new tooling. cnbus 3001 has a brand new seating plan. There is a row of single seats on the offside together with doubles on the nearside within the totally flat main passenger area forward of the centre doors. Behind the driver’s position, the electrics cupboard and the control box for the passenger information systems (route information and real-time video broadcast) are located on the offside front wheelbox.

The brand new cnbus3001 model also features correctly replicated handrails and the two LCD monitors. The driver’s area has lost the manual gearstick that has been a feature throughout the cnbus 1000 range because the B7RLE chassis has an automatic gearbox. Also within the driver’s area is a centrally mounted, internal, rear-view mirror below the destination box.

cnbus 3001 features excellent detailing, inside and out. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and application of the livery on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible on the white / green paint. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.

The cnbus 3001 model is limited to 1200 pieces for worldwide distribution. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia), cnmycar.com (P.R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

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	This page last updated Monday, 26th July 2010
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