Supplied by Volvo Truck & Bus Centre East Anglia, the new vehicles are FM 6x2 rigids with Globetrotter cabs and D11K engines rated at 326bhp. They each feature Volvo’s long haul fuel package, together with a hydraulically steered and lifting rear axle to reduce rolling resistance and tyre wear when operating light or unladen.
Jay Kamat, GMA’s business development director, says fuel costs are the company’s biggest expense, so it wanted the best vehicle specification for its operation.
“Initial driver feedback during the first weeks has been very promising, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact of Volvo’s fuel-saving innovations at the pumps,” he says.
Volvo’s long haul fuel package incorporates I-See predictive cruise control and 12-speed I-Shift automated transmission with long haul optimised software. Other features include I-Cruise intelligent cruise control with I-Roll – which helps to save fuel when neither engine power nor engine braking is needed.
This option pack also adds an engine idle shutdown facility, which kicks in after two and a half minutes, plus a variable displacement power steering pump to save energy use when on the move.
Operating on groupage work nationwide, the new rigids have Lawrence David curtainside bodies and tail-lifts, and have been delivered on a four-year full service contract hire deal through Volvo Financial Services.
All scheduled servicing and maintenance will be undertaken at the dealer’s Ipswich branch.