The Volvo B7RLE is similar to its predecessor, the B10BLE. In essence the B7RLE is the front section of the B7L chassis mated with the rear section of the B7R chassis. Originally, the B7RLE featured the D7C 6-cylinder, 7.3-litre diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler, producing 250 or 275 bhp and meeting the Euro III incentive emission standard. This was replaced by the 7.1-litre Volvo D7E engine producing 290 bhp, to Euro III/Euro IV/Euro V incentive emission standards. Unlike the B7L, the B7RLE's engine is mounted at the center of the rear overhang as opposed to the nearside, resolving the issue of engine intrusion into the saloon. The Volvo B7RLE is also equipped with disc brakes and ABS.
Operators
The Volvo B7RLE was launched in mainland Europe and Australia in 2001, and then in the United Kingdom in 2003 to supplement the B7L, which was unsuccessful in both countries. The B7RLE appealed more to UK operators, with whom the B7L was unpopular and has sold well compared to its predecessor.
The B7RLE is one of the very few foreign bus chassis models in Mainland China, assembled by Shanghai Sunwin Bus, with Chinese assembly model numbers SWB6120V4LE, SWB6125 and SWB6120V6LE. Notably, 1 unit marked as SWB6120V6LE, which is donated to Nanjing Transport（that vehicle is abandoned due to high fuel consumption）. Units operated in Shanghai are SWB6120V4LE, with fleet number prefix S2F/S2G（Jiushi BUS）& S2B ; S2D, with fleet number prefix S2D and SWB6120V6LE,with fleet number prefix S2M, which were very common on Shanghai streets.
Hong Kong
In 2003, Huangbus purchased five B7RLEs with Jit Luen JL-08 bodies and D7E-290 7142cc engines. Kowloon Motor Bus ordered 70 B7RLEs with MCV Evolution bodies in 2009., which some of them had been converted to Training buses.
Some Volvo B7RLEs also operate in Surabaya, Indonesia. It is the first wheelchair-accessible bus in Indonesia fitted with a Euro IV engine.
Israel
Metropoline purchased Volvo B7RLEs with Merkavim Pioneer bodywork. Some bus companies own Volvo B7RLEs with USB sockets, WiFi and Real time and it is the first country to use 2009 buses with a new ZF EcoLife transmission
The Philippines has B7RLEs running in Cebu City, operated by Metro Rapid Transport System Inc., the owner of MyBus. Starting July 2016, RRCG Transport launches "P2P Premium Bus Service" for Alabang Town Center to Greenbelt 1, serving 3 units for King Long XMQ6127G with Sunwin SWB6128 front and rear mask, built by the Philippine-based Autodelta Coach Builders, Inc. This model is also used by Cebu Pacific for transporting passengers from NAIA Terminal 3 to their aircraft. The bus companyJoanna Jesh Transport and CEM Trans Services Inc also started to use the bus model for its FTI-Navotas and Alabang-Malanday route respectively starting in 2019.
Singapore
Singapore has B7RLEs running in Sentosa featuring Liannex bodies, either in a city bus configuration for its internal shuttles, or as open-top double-decker buses. A Euro IV demonstrator featuring Soon Chow bodywork was offered to SBS Transit in December 2007, registered as SBS8030L, and is under Hougang Depot as a training bus currently.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, B7RLEs were first introduced on Chiayi Bus Rapid Transit in 2007. All B7RLEs in Taiwan that were manufactured between 2007 and 2012 featured Tang Eng Iron Works bodywork, whereas those manufactured after 2013 featured Daji bodywork.
