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MAKE & MODEL
Page 38
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Globetrotter
Having missed out the on the past two CM 1,000-Point Tests, Volvo was very keen to make its mark on our HunsrOck route this time around.
Unfortunately, it lost out by just three points — a tiny amount, nevertheless.
The truck wasn't helped by having the most powerful engine, and so it used the most fuel. With trucks in this power band, it's important to remember fuel efficiency counts for more than, say, driveability (on a higher-power, owner-driver-type vehicle, the points would be distributed differently).
Safety and storage
Taking fuel consumption out of the equation, the Volvo did well in the performance sector, which also aided its driveability by reducing the number of gearchanges.
More gearchanges, though, wouldn't have made an awful lot of difference due to the smooth and precise action offered by Volvo's established I-Shift. The driving comfort of the FH is good, although it rolled just a touch too much around some corners. The FH scored highly on the safety side of things, too, boasting great visibility and good safety packages.
That said, the Volvo was let down by its cab. The interior quality wasn't quite up to the standard we have come to expect from the Swedes, and it lacked some storage space. Where most trucks have an overhead storage locker in the middle, the Volvo doesn't. Admittedly, this makes it easier to stand up, but we would have preferred the extra storage. Another aspect that let the Volvo down was its weight. It came in at around 400kg heavier than its closest rival, which meant serious point deduction on the payload.
One major plus point in the cab, though, was the electric driver's seat. It is adjustable in a number of different ways, and can be programmed to remember up to three different drivers.
The Volvo doesn't really deserve the label of last place. It only lost by 0.4%, and it is a very good truck. As a whole package, it is great to drive and packs plenty of grunt. However, all it needs to do is to shed a few pounds (we're sure there is some sort of Slimfast-style programme in Sweden) and tweak the cab a little.