Family of six for UK FL12
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by Toby Clark • Volvo has introduced the FL12 to the UK, with a choice of four tractive units and two 8x4 rigid chassis. The FL12, which debuted at the Brussels Show in January, mates the FL cab and chassis with the 12-litre D12A engine which first appeared in the FH range.
Power options will he 374hp (279kW) or 414hp (309kW), on models bridged 380 and 420. The Irvine-built right-handdrive range features a new hydraulic gear linkage. As a lightweight tractor or tipper the FL12 will offer extra power and should prove relatively economical.
Each of the four tractive units is available with either the 374hp or 414hp engine option, in either Euro-1 or Euro-2 specification. Manual and Volvo Geartronic automatic transmission will be offered.
There are two 4x2 choices: a lightweight model with roadfriendly steel suspension and a version with rear air suspension. They tip the scales at 6,400kg and 6,620kg respectively.
Three-axle models include a 6x2 pusher axle with six-bag rear air suspension and a 6x4 with the T-ride parabolic-sus pension rear bogie for applications such as waste and timber haulage. For off-road use it will be offered with Volvo's Powertronic automatic trans. mission which incorporates a torque converter.
The 8x4 platform and tipper chassis are available only with the 374hp engine (again in Euro-1 or Euro-2 spec) and with manual transmission. Geartronic is not considered suitable for off-road use, so Powertronic will be an option. The T-ride model incorporates hub-reduction drive axles; Volvo's engine brake is an option on all FL12s.
As the FL cab is mounted at the same level as seven and 10litre models, engine space is at a premium. The offside-mounted turbocharger precludes the usual rod-operated gear linkage for right-hand-drive models;
hence the use of the hydraulic linkage, similar to that on the Leyland Daf 95.500. This installation improves noise suppression as the gear lever needs no aperture in the cab floor. The lack of mechanical linkage also reduces gear lever movement in off-road applications. For this reason it will probably be
offered as an extra-cost option on other FL tipper chassis.
CM has driven the 4x2 and 6x2 air-suspended chassis in 380 and 420 guise with manual and Geartronic transmissions.
The low cab was as easy to climb into as ever and the extra bulk of the D12A engine was not too noticeable. A new engine cover is required (our test vehicles were fitted with fabricated pre-production covers) but noise levels were surprisingly low. Ride quality was good and the installation was commendably refined. One reason for this might be the hydraulic gearshift. It was at least as positive as the conventional setup with, perhaps, slightly lower shift loads.
All right-hand-drive FL12s will be built at the expanding Irvine plant (CM 8-14 June). There is no intention to build drawbar models, but they are available on the Continent.