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Volvo's inside job
Page 18
Page 19
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The folks at Gothenburg always manage to keep a little something back when it comes to their truck launches. And the appearance of the 'new' Volvo FH continued that tradition.
Words: Brian Weathertey / Images: Tom Cunningham
IT'S OFFICIAL. The arrival of the latest Volvo FH is a major event. Or at least that's what Volvo Truck Corporation boss Staffan Jufors says. And judging from what CM witnessed this week in rain-soaked Sweden, we've no reason to disagree.
But the new products certainly didn't come cheap. Jurors says: "We've spent SKr1.2bn (£101m) on the products. This is a big launch that will see us training 2,500 salesmen and showing the new product to more than 2,000 customers."
It's no secret that Volvo has had a major interior makeover of the FH and the FH16 in the wings as it trailed the changes late last year. But what did come as complete surprise was the launch of a new high-roof cab for the FM, called the LXL Globetrotter, to go with it, plus a new 11-litre engine, too — for 4x2 and 6x2 FM tractors.
First, the FH interior, Designed to keep Volvo at the top of the driver musthave list, it's answered a few criticisms of the old FH, namely insufficient storage space in the dash and a lack of shoulder room for drivers when standing up and moving around the cabin.
Space is ace
The revised dashboard comes with more drawers and cubby holes, plus USB port and Bluetooth phone connections, while the centre section of the reworked overhead locker unit has been 'hollowed out' to offer more 'turning room' for a standing driver.
The lockers at either end of the overdash unit now have roller shutters instead of lids. No doubt influenced by their colleagues at Renault, the Swedes have also adopted a swivelling and reclining passenger seat in the F1-1, similar to that found in the Magnum.
In "the living room", the bottom bunk has changed from a fixed base unit to an adjustable lounger-type' bed (similar to that in the new Mercedes Actros). which can be adjusted from flat to 50 degrees.
More importantly, drivers can now access the exterior lockers from inside the cab (a long-held complaint), since the bed base lifts up via two gas struts. The bottom bunk is longer, too, The previous end-of-bed lockable safe is now placed out of sight under the bed.
Volvo has taken a leaf out of the Daf Super Space Cab's book by adding a pair of under-bunk, slide-out lockers (a 60-litre one, and a 20-litre one), with the largest able to house a 27-litre fridge.
Let there be Lights
Extra storage space has also been added to the back and side walls, while the top bunk on twin-sleeper cabs has been raised to offer more headroom for anyone sitting on the bottom bunk.
'Single Occupancy' vehicles retain the top rear-wall lockers, which can take a factory-fitted microwave or fridge. Other touches include a multi-position table and bottle holder, which run on a track in front of the bottom bunk.
Inside, there's a four-stage lighting package controlled by a rotating switch that has a dimmer function. Outside, the previously combined (and costly to replace) single headlamp/fog/spot unit has been divided up, with the main headlamp glass being replaced by an impact-resistant plastic lens. As well as LED indicator lights, Volvo also offers an optional 'cornering' light that casts a broader beam around the nearside front corner, helping the driver to avoid accidental kerb damage at night. • • See next week's issue of CM for full driving impressions of the new FH and FM, including the latest Dll engine, plus Volvo's new safety options and our verdict.
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