Volvo's stubby gearstick is handy for hilly testing
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[HE VOLVO F7 looks like a worthy successor to the old F86, at least from a driver's oint of view.
That was the impression I got from driving four examples of the range on the roads around Volvo's UK assembly plant at Irvine, Scotland, writes Steve Gray.
Our route took us north from Irvine on the A736 to Barrhead, through Paisley and Johnstone to join the A78 at Largs.
From here we carried on to Gourock on the coast road, eventually passing through Greenock and meeting the motorway for Glasgow airport.
With a total distance of around 70 miles, the circuit took in hilly and flat sections, with some motorway and town driving, too.
The four examples of the range on test were two tractive units, an 8x4 tipper and a 6x4 tipper.
The first tractive unit I tried was fitted with the TD 70F power unit and eight-speed range-change and it also had the short cab.
Like its predecessor, I found the cab well equipped, with all controls near to hand. I particularly liked the gear lever, which is shorter on the F7 than the F86. It was pleasant to use and light in operation, as was the clutch.
Next I tried the eight-legger. This, too, had the larger engine which, coupled to the sixteenspeed gearbox, made the vehicle a good performer. Indeed it. ate the hills — some of which were very 'steep — on our test route.
By contrast, the 6x4 with its smaller power unit and eightspeed box required rather more gear changes, even at its lower gross weight. In spite of this, the match seems right to me, as six-wheeler tippers are seldom used for long highspeed runs.
Finally I drove the long cab artic unit, coupled to a tipping trailer. The long cab is very spacious and offers all the amenities of the smaller version but with a bunk.
My particular unit was quite high geared, giving it a good top speed on the motorway; in fact it could cruise at 60 with ease.
My only complaints about the F7 are minor. Firstly the exhaust brake switch — which admittedly has little effect — is badly placed by being too close to the driver's seat, from where one's heel gets caught. Secondly, I'm afraid I just don't like the tachometer calibrated in revs per second.
Volvo tells me, regarding the first point, that these vehicles are all pre-production so it is possible the switches' location may be changed.