The landmark B5LH bus was specified for TfL (Transport for London) routes with Wrightbus Gemini bodywork.
It was specified with the Volvo D5K 240 four-cylinder 240bhp 5.1-litre Euro 6 engine delivering a maximum torque of 918Nm (between 1,200—1,600rpm) and mated to a 12-speed I-Shift AMT (automated manual transmission).
Vehicle emissions are controlled conventionally, using SCR (selective catalytic reduction) and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) technology.
The new Volvo hybrid joins 74 other Volvo hybrids operating for Metroline Travel on TfL routes in London, 17 of which are Euro 5 and 58 Euro 6.
Metroline Travel's Euro 5 vehicles were delivered in 2012 and 2013, while the Euro 6 buses, including the 600th hybrid, are from 2014 and 2015.
"This is a significant landmark for us," states Ian Foster, Metroline Travel director of engineering.
"More significantly, this vehicle is just one part of a much larger and important order of new Volvo hybrid buses for us."
And Foster adds that it's not just about hybrid technology: Volvo Bus and Wrightbus have carried out crucial weight reduction to maximise vehicle capacity, he says.
"With Volvo we know we are getting a tried and trusted product that has proven reliability and that the drivers like,"he asserts.
"These deliveries form part of a wider agreement between Volvo Bus and Metroline Travel," comments Phil Owen, Volvo Bus commercial sales director.
"We have recently signed a vehicle supply agreement which runs from 2015 to 2017, [which] means that all new hybrid buses purchased by Metroline Travel will be through Volvo Bus."