Volvo has released its European FE and FL trucks with an enhanced driver environment, and the Volvo FL range is extended with a four-cylinder, 5-litre engine.
“Drivers often climb into and out of their trucks many times on each shift,” Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks, says. “That’s why we’ve focused on creating a comfortable, convenient driver’s environment with good visibility in every direction.”
A new 6-cylinder D8 engine has a displacement of 7.7 litres and is available with a choice of three power outputs: 320 hp, 280 hp and 250 hp.
The Volvo FL is also available with the compact 4-cylinder D5 engine. It has a displacement of 5.1 litres and comes with power outputs of 240 hp and 210 hp.
“These engines meet the new Euro 6 requirements and their fuel consumption is on a par with our Euro 5 engines,” says Ruddy Houtmeyers, Strategic Product Manager for Medium Duty Vehicles, Volvo Trucks. “The technological solution for meeting the Euro 6 demands is a combination of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and variable turbo geometry, a cooled EGR system and a particulate filter.”
A comprehensive range of transmissions complements the two new engines. Among the various options, it is now possible to equip the Volvo FE with I-Shift.
“The automated transmission can be customised with a distribution-specific option,” Tobias Bergman, Product Manager Distribution and Refuse Segment, Volvo Trucks, says.
An Electronic Stability Program is also fitted as standard to both the Volvo FE and the Volvo FL. ESP helps the driver keep the truck on the road if it swerves unexpectedly or severely.
Volvo Trucks has also designed a unique 12-tonne version of the Volvo FL. With the most powerful engine in its segment (four-cylinder D5 with 240 horsepower), specially optimized I-Sync transmission and weighing 500 kg less than a corresponding truck with a 6-cylinder engine this is a highly competitive model.
“The new 12-tonner is a sharp contender in the largest medium duty segment. The truck is lighter, lower and more competitively priced than the current model. It increases customer productivity and efficiency at the same time as it offers the driver better working conditions,” Tobias Bergman, says.
A selection of front and side mirrors combined with the possibility of adding extra side, rear and door windows also contribute to the excellent all-round visibility for the driver.
In conjunction with the launch of the new Volvo FE and Volvo FL, Volvo Trucks is presenting an extended service offer. The highest level – the Gold Contract – encompasses servicing, repairs and the highest possible uptime.
With the improved Gold Service Contract, the truck can be connected. This makes it possible for the Volvo workshop to follow vehicle usage and monitor the wear-and-tear of certain components. The aim is to proactively ensure that the truck is serviced only and exactly when needed – and that maintenance is carried out when the vehicle is not in use.
“By remotely keeping an eye on how the truck is used and the wear rates of the various components, we aim to prevent small issues from growing into unexpected standstills,” Jarkko Aine, Transport Solutions expert at Volvo Trucks, says.
