Volvo Trucks, the market leader in the premium truck segment, had revamped its entire product range in late 2014. With the deep mining segment opening up in a big way since and the on-road premium truck segment showing signs of recovery as well, Volvo is ready for the challenges ahead with its new range. Let’s see what the all-new Volvo Trucks range has to offer.
Comprising Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX, the range is the most technologically advanced in India. While built on a completely new platform, they still have retained the distinct Volvo DNA in it. The company still sticks to its core values of quality, safety and environmental care, and continues focusing on delivering customers with superior productivity, fuel efficiency and vehicle uptime by incorporating innovative technology. It boasts of important improvements made in all crucial areas: from productivity, fuel efficiency and safety to maximizing uptime. The range also introduces unique features such as the intelligent I-Shift automated gearbox technology optimized for tough and rugged mining operating conditions, as well as Volvo’s unique Dynafleet telematics system which allows following up on fuel consumption over time, and, together with Volvo Trucks Driver Training services, coach drivers into further improving their fuel saving skill.
The new Volvo truck range also introduces a whole raft of innovative features to the market, including the ground-breaking Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) that delivers exceptional handling, pretty much like a car, in all operating conditions, as well as intelligent I-Shift gearbox technology.
The new Volvo truck range is the most modern and innovative Volvo line-up ever, with an outstanding ability to help customers in all segments to improve productivity and profitability. It delivers maximum uptime and minimum fuel consumption.
Visually, the Volvo family ties are now stronger, as reflected in a more uniformed exterior design among all truck models. The iron mark has been moved up to a new position below the windscreen, and the headlamps come consistently with their distinctive daytime running lights.
All cab environments have been renewed or upgraded a special focus on creating an effective, ergonomic, comfortable and safe environment, recognizing the importance of the driver.
The New Volvo range of trucks are “the most technologically advanced trucks in India”. It will create a new benchmark in India. (Tractors – additional 25-30 per cent load and tipper – up to 10 per cent increase in productivity with I-shift for mining)
With new hi-tech capabilities and a wide range of benefits, the trucks are equipped to serve every Volvo customer in India, from construction and mining to heavy haulage.
The Volvo FH is an innovative truck built with the driver in focus. It is wired to make operations safer, more efficient, productive and comfortable for over-dimensional cargo transport. The new Volvo FH 520, built grounds up, is more robust, leading to increased technical load carrying capacity (GCW) by 33 per cent to 200 tonnes.
Volvo FM is a flexible all-round player. The power rating of the new Volvo FM 6X4 tractor has been improved from 400hp to 440hp leading to increased pulling power. Also, it would now come with a 125-tonne (technical GCW) puller, thereby meeting the latent need of customers to have a product in this range. It is an extremely versatile truck that can be tailored for each specific customer need.
The all-new Volvo FMX is an extremely robust, powerful and efficient truck for the toughest operating conditions. The vehicle designing is based on Volvo experience in India and global markets in rough deep mining and heavy construction application. It is packed with smart new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and features to minimize fatigue on the driver and maximize productivity.
The new FMX 440 8X4 is equipped to deliver the best in class productivity with an increased body capacity of 19.5 cu.m, which allows to carry an additional bucket of payload. Also, it will offer the I-Shift gearbox for mining as an option, which makes it easier to drive the vehicles under the toughest conditions, thereby increasing productivity.
The new Volvo FMX has completely new looks both inside and outside of the cabin – new dashboard, instrument cluster, driver seat, sleeker steering column, storage space (interior and exterior), etc.
Key product features
* A lot more tough – Front towing member tested for 32 tonnes, heavy duty bumper, and Cab lower portion integrated with cross member providing strength to the vehicle front.
* Spacious and stress free cab – New ergonomic dashboard, instrument cluster, driver’s seat, stalks and switches, etc. Air suspended seat for I-shift variant.
* Electric parking brake – The parking brake activation is through an easy-access switch on the dash. Also the parking brake activates automatically when the engine is turned off to ensure high degree of safety even if the driver misses it.
* More robust – 18 tonnes twin front axle, 33 tonnes rear tandem axle, and 10 tonnes front axle hub bearing, reinforced rear suspension.
* Higher body capacity (best in class) – New 19.5 Cu.m body capacity leading upto 10 per cent increased productivity with equal performance on speed/fuel.
* I-shift for mining – Automated gear box optimized for mining applications. The software for automatic gear shifts is designed for delivering best performance under varying tough road conditions of mines, ensuring better productivity and fuel efficiency. The i-shift is more fuel efficient and also improves driver productivity by reducing the driver fatigue as the driver now has to only focus on manoeuvring the vehicle making the operation safer.
* Dynafleet Online enabled for “Fuel and Environment” service. Provides information to the customer regarding vehicle performance and fuel consumption, so that the customer can take the required action to improve upon the same.
* Best-in-class engine horsepower and matched gearbox is retained. However, the operating reliability of both is further improved by improved engine and transmission cooling system.
Safety, the core value
Safety is one of Volvo’s core values. It conducts the extremely tough cab crash tests at its collision centre in Sweden. All cabs meet the Swedish cab strength standards – the toughest in the world. The vehicle is equipped with a list of features to ensure a high level of active and passive safety – better visibility, powerful headlight beam, sun-visors, extra footsteps, etc.
Two new introductions with the new Volvo FMX, FM and FH are the “red safety belt” and the “electric parking brake”. The red safety belt brings more focus towards the driver to use safety belt without miss. The parking brake activates automatically when the engine is turned off to ensure a high degree of safety even if the driver misses it. Also I-shift adds to the safety factor as it reduces the driver fatigue and the driver now has to focus only on manoeuvring the vehicle (Hands on wheel – Eyes on road).
In addition, out of the 20 requirements prescribed by DGMS through the Circular No. 05 dated October 13, 2010, 15 are provided as standard features in Volvo FMX.
The following features are offered as accessory fitment based on customer requirement.
* Fire suppression system
* Proximity warning device
* Rear vision system
* Load indicator and recorder
* Auto dipping system (not available currently and is under development)