The new deal will see McLaren-Honda taking delivery of a new fleet of 24 Volvo FH trucks, which it will run under contract for the next four-years.
They will provide for transport and logistics support for both McLaren-Honda’s F1 race team and its massive hospitality operations at grand prix events.
All the new Volvos take the 13-litre, 540bhp engine driving through the Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox with the latest I-See gradient sensing technology – and, on the new fleet’s flagship vehicle, also with Volvo’s most advanced Dual Clutch system.
Three types have been specified, including standard height, extra low, and top of the range, to cater for McLaren-Honda’s detailed logistics requirements – all with top of the range cabs. The race team’s flagship truck also takes Volvo’s recently launched independent suspension, which uses passenger car style rack and pinion steering.
“As well as looking for on-track efficiencies, as part of McLaren’s sustainability commitments, we also look for improvements off it too,” states Jonathan Neale, chief operating officer at McLaren Technology Group.
“That’s why we’re very proud to partner with such a prestigious brand as Volvo Trucks, who are renowned for their innovative and high-performance heavy goods transport solutions,” he continues.
“Away from the racing circuit, managing freight and logistics for a Formula 1 team presents a huge challenge,” he explains.
“Transporting McLaren-Honda’s entire race team operations across Europe in an efficient, reliable and, most importantly, safe manner is no mean feat, and we knew that partnering with Volvo Trucks as an official supplier would fit that bill perfectly.”
Neale says the team is now looking forward to receiving its first trucks from the new Volvo FH fleet from April onwards. He also expects to work with Volvo Trucks “to refine our logistics solutions as the relationship progresses”.
“We are extremely proud to have been selected as a supplier by McLaren-Honda,” comments Mike Corcoran, commercial director at Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland.
“We are both winners in the race to find technological solutions to a very different set of transport challenges – McLaren on the track, and Volvo Trucks on the roads and highways of the world.”
McLaren-Honda is the only F1 operation to be awarded the FIA Institute’s Environmental Award for the Achievement of Excellence, so the choice of Volvo Trucks can also b interpreted as significant in terms of their anticipated fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
The race team also gets the Volvo FH safety systems, including its strongest-ever Volvo cab, advanced driver support systems, redesigned aerodynamic mirrors, improved instrument display and dynamic headlights.