ORLANDO, Fla. For the first time in more than 20 years, North American bus operators got a chance to kick the tires and test drive a new Volvo-brand motorcoach at a U.S. bus show.

Thats because Volvo Buses unveiled and launched its 9700 model for the U.S. and Canadian markets at UMA Motorcoach Expo here last month.

And judging by the reaction and comments of those Expo attendees who strapped the 9700 on for size, there was a lot to like about the coach.

Coming in for particular notice were the:

Interior, which one person described as one of the best fit and finishes hed ever seen

Standard, three-point belted seats with stain-resistant fabric

Lavatory, which has all the amenities, looks easy to clean and has a toilet angle that assures fewer embarrassing passenger incidents during sudden stops

Pivoting lavatory door; seen as a nice touch

Stainless steel frame

Two-piece windshield

Volvo I-shift transmission; described as commendably smooth

Impressive ride quality

The combination baseboard heat and overhead A/C reportedly performed well in Canadian testing.

The only criticisms heard were the front steps, which appear to have uneven risers and one step thats indented less than the others; a little wind noise noticed in test runs, which seems like an easy fix, and a front overhang that is measurably longer than its corporate cousin, the Prevost H3.

Still, as one observer said: "Heck of a job for an economy bus."

The new Volvo will be marketed and supported in the U.S. and Canada by Prevost Car, a subsidiary of Volvo Bus Corp.

"Prevost offers the most luxurious coaches available in North America today," said Tore Bäckström, senior vice president responsible for Volvo Buses North and South America business area. "By launching the Volvo 9700 in the segment slightly below the Prevost coaches, we foresee good possibilities to further enhance our penetration within tour and charter and line-haul traffic."

The Volvo 9700 for North America is manufactured in Volvo Buses plant in Mexico. The engine is assembled in Volvos plant in Hagerstown, Md.

"The Volvo 9700 offers outstanding Volvo safety features, a striking modern design and a superb driver environment. At the same time this coach will provide our customers with a reliable coach, providing years of productive service." said Dann Wiltgen, Prevost vice president of sales.

Meanwhile, Prevost introduced an updated version of its H-model at Motorcoach Expo.

The most noticeable exterior change is a new front end that features a pronounced black mask, new headlight design, restyled front bumper, and enlarged spare tire compartment capable of handling the larger (i.e. wider) 365 tire.

The new headlight configuration has functional improvements, too. The headlamps deliver the highest halogen output ever, special lenses broaden the range of vision for better visibility in rain or fog, and high-contrast LED directional signals make driver intentions clear.

Best of all, from a maintenance stand point, both the standard halogen and optional Xenon headlight clusters are hinged, making bulb replacement a snap.

"This redesign, which illustrates our passion for continuous improvement, has produced a vehicle that is unmatched for quality and reliability," said Wiltgen.

Another notable improvement this year is a welded rail system that can accommodate any kind of seat installation, built to any standard.

Inside, theres a new entertainment system and under the skin are improved tire pressure monitoring and fire suppression systems.

"As the tallest high-decker in the industry, (the H-series) provides the best panoramic view on the market, as well as the largest luggage capacity," notes Prevost.