SHOCK TACTICS
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Volvo reckons that its new FL7 is so well sprung that it does not need to offer a suspended seat as standard. After a preliminary test on some lessthan-perfect road surfaces in Belgium, Bill Brock does not wholly agree.
VOLVO's new FL7 is the most important model in its revised line-up in the UK — it replaces Le top-selling F7. Even though the FL7 ill not he on sale here for a couple of ionths, the vehicle is significant enough ir CM to justify a break with normal ractice and publish an interim road test mducted in Belgium, rather than wait )me months for a definitive test run rider proper controlled conditions on ar test route.
Why Belgium? The FL7 in tractive nit form will be built at Alsemburg for uropean Markets while the Irving ctory and Gothenburg will continue to roduce the multi-wheeled and tractive. rut models for Britain.
Increased power at 182kW (245HP) 'Wens the operational possibilities up to 3 tonnes, but the vehicle as prepared )r our drive was loaded to the more robable and less-demanding weight of 2 tonnes. It was specified for
mtinental operation, with a 5.4 to 1 de ratio and the latest low-aspect irelli 305/75R 24.5 tyre and wheel luipment — so new that they do not 'pear on the new vehicle's specification ieet.
The route of about 250km took us west out of Antwerp along the E39 and E5, a motorway route of varying standards with road surfaces in places less than we would consider acceptable in the UK. Volvo in its wisdom has improved the lumbar support of the driver's seat but dispensed with the seat's suspension (except for the German market where sales of the vehicle might be lost for the lack of it).
For the most part the vehicle and cab suspension adequately provided a cushion against the shocks transmitted up from the road, but on the substandard motorways there was the occasional shuddering jolt that confirmed the belief that there is no suitable substitute for a properly adjusted suspension seat.
It is a small investment to make in avoiding back injury — one of the most common causes of absenteeism from work. With its 3,8m wheel base the FL7 gave no indication of cab nod.
THE VEHICLE averaged 31.8LIT/100KM (8.9MPG), staying within Belgium's maximum legal speed of 90KM/H, at an
average speed of 81.3KM(H (50.5MPH) over the outward 122KM (75.8rniles) motorway section. This stretch was similar to the southern part of our M6 motorway. With few gradients exceeding one in 16, little use was made of the SR62 16-speed splitter overdrive gearbox. Indeed, we had to change down more than one full gear on only three occasions.
On the return leg at a maximum speed of 60KM(H (37MPH) over A-type roads we encountered several large towns and, in between, one or two good climbs. Here the range-change splitter box aided speedy up changes as the gradient levelled off and for the most part using the green (most economical) sector of the engine's rev ranges.
Ample apparent room between the gear lever in its forward position and the dash failed to prevent the driver from stubbing his little finger as uncharacteristically the synchromesh was obstructive.
Downhill retardation depends almost totally on the service brakes as the exhaust brake fitted to the relatively small 6.7-litre engine is typically ineffectual when used in conjunction with the higher gears.
Conversely, the small engine offers relatively little resistance, allowing the vehicle to roll freely through level and undulating country. On the flat, the vehicle started off easily in 2nd gear.
On the 10KM (6.2 mile) hill section consumption dropped to 69.8L1T/100KM (just better than 4.05MPG) at an average speed of less than 40.2KM/H (25MPH) but picked up once more to 34.2LIT/100KM (8.25MPG) for the rest of the A-road section.
Over the 250KM the FL7 returned 34.4LIT/100KM (8.21MPG) at an average speed of 76.3KM/H (47.5MPH).
For the British market gearing will be changed to suit our faster motorway speeds, with a faster 4.6 to 1 rear axle ratio, to give a nominal top speed of 106KM/H (66MPH). This will result in a poorer restart gradeability changing from the claimed 1 in 6 to a 1 in 8 where standard 11R 22.5 tyre equipment is fitted.
Fl NTRY was made easy by the low cab floor, with three steps up. 4 Grab handles placed either side of the door went almost unnoticed as the placing of the steering wheel made a more natural purchase point. There, adjustment of height and rake offers a wheel setting to suit any individual.
Bringing the cab floor down low has the disadvantage of making the engine cowl intrusive, virtually prohibiting cross-cab access. This vehicle was fitted with Volvo's new driver information system, which replaces most instruments with warning lights backed up by a digital readout for malfunctions.
On start-up the information system, housed on a 'White-like' binnacle, scans all functions, omitting engine and road speeds. The oil and air pressures are monitored along with the less usual exhaust and gearbox temperatures. At the touch of a button the driver can register the outside temperature on the display — a feature until now reserved only for more expensive saloon cars.
Internal cab temperature and ventilation is operated simply by three switches controlling the fan, direction and heat. Two levers located on the dash operate the park brake while the other, the old dead man's handle, work on the trailer brakes.
Increased internal dimensions have made the cab seem only slightly roomi but noise levels arc well contained and do not impede cross-cab conversation. But should the passenger become too heated in his views, the switch to open and close the passenger -side window i close at hand. The windows are unusually styled to improve visibility. Only half of their area winds up and down.
Internal trim is sombre black and grey, with separate rubber mats covering a floor which is level to the floor lip, making it all the easier to clean.
Stowage of those items such as tools ropes and jacks that some drivers find i necessary to carry is provided by two under-bunk lockers. Conscious of the weight that can be added to the cab in this way, Volvo has strengthened the cab shock absorbers.