New Volvo FH

With its new Volvo FH series, Volvo Trucks is pushing the envelope for what a premium truck can offer.

There is no doubt that fuel economy is one of the highest priorities for haulage firms today. So it was naturally also in firm focus during the development of the new Volvo FH.  The already fuel-efficient Euro 5 driveline is now even more economical. At the same time, Volvo’s first Euro 6 engine sees the light of day, significantly reducing emissions. Moreover, the new I-See function makes it possible to cut fuel consumption still further – by up to 5 percent. And in autumn 2013 a new driveline will be launched, Volvo I-Torque, setting a new technological benchmark and delivering even lower fuel consumption and further improved driveability: features that will benefit both haulage firm and driver.

A truck is only profitable when it is working. Volvo now offers maximum uptime. This promise is based on Volvo Trucks’ new technology for remotely monitoring component wear and the vehicle’s overall condition.

You don’t need to read the manual to discover that the new Volvo FH represents a major step forward. It’s enough just to get behind the wheel. 

Good drivers who have the opportunity to work as efficiently as possible increase the haulage firm’s profitability. 

An additional fuel saving of up to 5 percent is possible with Volvo Trucks’ new Fuel Package.

The new Volvo FH series has a new Individual Front Suspension (IFS) system for heavy trucks with left-hand drive. IFS means that each front wheel is suspended separately from the other so it does not affect the movement of the other wheel. 

Axor

Heavy-duty short-radius distribution places special demands on a truck. Here a key aspect is cost-effectiveness. In this sector, payload is decisive in determining just how economical a truck is. Thanks to the specifically targeted reduction of the unladen weight, the Axor can carry high payloads – a huge advantage for short-radius distribution operations. 

But payload is not the only aspect that makes the Axor such a great performer of heavy-duty short-radius distribution tasks:

High-torque, economical 6-cylinder in-line engines

Special powertrain configurations

Mercedes PowerShift automatic transmission

Robust technology and extremely long service intervals

BlueTec to ensure compliance with the Euro 5 standard

Engines – in a class of their own: the Euro 5 engines

There are six different output ratings available for the Euro 5 engines, covering every transport requirement. In heavy-duty short-radius distribution, low fuel consumption is vital, especially when carrying heavy loads and in constant stop-and-go traffic in inner cities.

This same technology is referred to as Telligent stability control when it's used on Mercedes' larger trucks, but it performs basically the same functions as ESP. If there is any threat to stability in the form of skidding, tailsliding, jack-knifing, etc., the Telligent system detects the danger at an early stage, and counteracts these tendencies with specific braking intervention and control of engine torque.  Most of the time, the Telligent system responds even before the driver is aware the vehicle is in danger of losing its traction.

The system is particularly recommended for operations involving hazardous materials, such as in the oil industry, but personally, I'd take it on any truck regardless of what I was hauling.