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VOLVO SEES THE LIGHTS
Page 60
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Two new trucks, a host of ownership schemes and enhanced aftersales service all herald the return of Volvo Trucks to the small time.
Kevin Swallow finds out more in Sweden.
If confirmation were needed of why the Volvo Group bought Renault Trucks it emerged out of the dry ice at Nya Berget, an underground nuclear hunker on the outskirts of Gothenburg. The FL and newly created FE will cover the market between 12 and 26 tonnes on two and three axles, and are designed for urban operations and tough applications such as utilities and construction. Volvo Trucks' decision to start its panEuropean range at 12 tonnes is down to competition:only Germany and the UK support active 7.5-tonne sectors.This suggests Volvo isn't prepared to fight for a share of a tough sector with a heavier product against established French and Dutch contenders.
French connection
Cabs will be built at the Renault factory in Blainville,France, with vehicle assembly at Gent. Belgium. Powering the entire range for Euro-4 and Euro-5 is a D7E 7.2-litre commonrail engine based on the Deutz engine. Ratings start at 240 and 280hp for the FL 12-18t range: these engines can also be specced for the FE range at 18-26t, along with a 320hp option.
Transmission is handled by a ZF six or ninespeed manual box with an automated Allison six-speeder on the options list. Presumably an auto box is too heavy and too expensive to be standard at these weights. Speaking at the launch, engine manager Mats Franzen said Volvo was "investigatingwhether 1-Shift would be suitable for lighter applications.
Series production is scheduled to start in September. •