ORLANDO, Fla. Prevost Car Inc. is unveiling a new motorcoach, as well as an updated version of its workhorse H model, at UMA Motorcoach Expo 2009 here Jan. 22.

The new coach is the 45-foot Volvo 9700, which has been adapted to the U.S. and Canadian markets by Prevosts parent company, Volvo Group of Sweden.

The 9700 won the European Coach of the Year award for 2008 at the massive Busworld Exhibition in Kortrijk, Belgium.

"The Volvo 9700 is clearly a coach that will make an impression," says Prevost Vice President of Sales Dann Wiltgen.

"The exterior is modern and typically Volvo, and the interior, available in three color themes, is well designed right down to the luggage racks and handles, to create an impression of spaciousness.

"At the same time, this coach will provide our customers with a reliable coach, providing years of productive service," Wiltgen added.

The Volvo 9700 will be distributed by Prevost via its U.S. and Canadian sales organization and supported by the Prevost service network.

It will be equipped with the Volvo D13 engine, and becomes the first North American coach to use Volvos second-generation I-shift, a 12-speed semi-automatic transmission. It also has a Carrier-Sutrak A/C system, multiplex architecture, dual alternators, electronic stability program, and engine compartment fire suppression system.

But it is other more typically Volvo features that helped the 9700 catch the eye of the bus journalists who named it Europes top coach.

For example, it has a "front under-run protection system" that prevents an auto or pick-up truck that crashes into a Volvo 9700 from becoming wedged under the bus, improving the survival chances and reducing the injury risks of passengers in the smaller vehicle. The system also absorbs much of the smaller vehicles crash energy, lessening the force of the impact.

The 9700 also offers "front-impact protection" and "knee-impact protection," a system that absorbs and diverts impact forces in the event of a front collision. Fundamentally, its designed to reduce the risk of injury to a bus drivers knees and legs in a crash.

And, the U.S.-Canadian 9700 will come standard with 54 Amaya seats equipped with both armrests and three-point seatbelts.

Beyond that, the journalists said the 9700 is a "travelers coach," "a superb vehicle to drive," and "built to do a job professionally for a full life."

The 9700 has 400 cubic feet of under-floor luggage space, roughly 10 percent less than a Prevost H3-45, and a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 49,000 pounds, or about 4,000 pounds less than a standard 56-seat Prevost H3-45.

While the 9700 will be featured at the Prevost stand at Motorcoach Expo, sharing the spotlight will be the revamped H-model Prevost.

"With its striking new appearance, the redesigned H series illustrates our passion for continuous improvement," said Wiltgen.

The H coachs front end has been redesigned to be not only visually appealing but also to integrate functional improvements, including proprietary headlamps that deliver the highest halogen output ever on a Prevost.

Also new for 09 is a welded rail system capable of accommodating belted passenger seats rated at 20Gs.

Additionally, the H coaches have a new AM/FM radio and CD player, and options that include fog lamps, redesigned independent suspension system, and improved access for different size replacement tires, including the Michelin Super Single XTE on the drive axle.