The Volvo Super Olympian was a low-floor double-decker bus manufactured by Volvo. It replaced the 3-axle version of Volvo Olympian. The chassis had the designated manufacturer code B10TL.

History

The Volvo Super Olympian was unveiled in 1998, with one chassis being sent to Hong Kong for a motor show held by International Union of Public Transport in the same year. The chassis was later returned to the United Kingdom.

Chassis design

The Super Olympian chassis was based on the Volvo Olympian. The front radiator was moved behind the front axle on the 12 metre version, or in front of the second axle for the 10.6 metre version (due to its shorter wheelbase). In order to lower the chassis further, the assisted steering function of the middle axle was cancelled. The suspension system has also been largely modified so that it is electronically controlled instead of moving passively. One special feature is that after turning, the suspension unit does not return to normal, remaining tilted to either the left or right, until the bus becomes stationary.

An option for 11.3 metre length of Super Olympian was also available, but no orders were received.

The Super Olympian was powered by the Volvo D10A-285 (Euro 2 or Euro 3), with a maximum power of , coupled to either a ZF Ecomat or 3-speed Voith DIWA 863.3 automatic transmission. Its somewhat insufficient diesel engine power has earned some mildly derisive nicknames in Hong Kong. The most common are "豬" (pig), "扒" (meat cutlet) and "豬扒" (pork chop, derived from the pronunciation of the word "Super").

Initially, the Super Olympian chassis were built in Volvo's factory in Irvine, Scotland. After the closure of the factory in mid-2000, production was moved to Wrocław, Poland.

Hong Kong

thumb|[[Kowloon Motor Bus Volgren CR223LD-bodied Volvo Super Olympian in 2004]]

thumb|[[Kowloon Motor Bus 10.6m Alexander ALX500-bodied Volvo Super Olympian in 2006]]

thumb|[[Kowloon Motor Bus Wright Explorer-bodied Volvo Super Olympian in August 2005]]

Kowloon Motor Bus

12m version

Kowloon Motor Bus ordered the first batch of 61 (3ASV1-61) Alexander ALX500-bodied B10TL Super Olympians with ZF 4HP590 transmission, and roller shuttle route displays in 1998. These entered service in 1998/99. All except the prototype 3ASV3 had narrow 2+2 seats on the upper deck. All Super Olympians with plastic signs were retired in November 2017.

A further 80 Super Olympians (3ASV62-141) entered service in 2000/01. These buses have electronic route displays and ZF 5HP590 transmission. Registered as SBS9888Y, it was Singapore's first low floor "Superbus", & had advanced specifications at the time of introduction. Originally deployed on routes serving the then new Sengkang New Town, it was transferred to Ang Mo Kio bus depot in 2004. This bus was destroyed in the Ang Mo Kio bus depot (AMDEP) fire of 2010, & was subsequently written off. SBS9888Y were equipped with ZF Ecomat 4HP 590 4-speed automatic transmission.

Satisfied with the trial, SBS purchased 51 Volvo B10TL Super Olympian units in 2000. These buses were the last to be ordered by SBS prior to their rebranding to SBS Transit. 50 were bodied with an updated Volgren CR222LD bodywork, with one entering service in April 2002 & the remaining buses entering service in early 2003. All units were retired between January & April 2020 and replaced by MAN A95 units. While most buses have since been scrapped & de-registered between April & June 2020, two units are currently preserved. SBS9844Z has been exported to Hong Kong for preservation, while the other unit (SBS9817C) is now currently preserved and repurposed at a special education school in Singapore, which has since been scrapped sometime in October 2025. They were equipped with a Volvo D10A-285 engine (9,603cc), that is compliant with Euro 2 emission standards and fitted with a Voith DIWA 863.3 3-speed automatic transmission (except SBS9888Y).

In early 2005, the last Volvo Super Olympian, debuted with a prototype ComfortDelGro Engineering (CDGE) bodywork,