Volvo FL and FE optimised for city operations 15 May 2013

The new Volvo FL and FE trucks are now even easier to drive in city conditions, according to Volvo, thanks to the adoption of a new engines and driver environment improvements.

Two new, in-house designed five- and eight-litre engines have been added to the range. First is a six-cylinder D8 engine, which has a displacement of 7.7-litres and is available with a choice of three power outputs: 320bhp, 280bhp and 250bhp.

The Volvo FL is also available with a four-cylinder D5 engine, which has a displacement of 5.1-litres and comes with power outputs of 240bhp and 210bhp.

"With their swift torque delivery at low revs, both engines are ideal for quick, comfortable and safe driving in cities and suburbs," says Ruddy Houtmeyers, strategic product manager for medium duty vehicles, Volvo Trucks.

As for the driver environment, the main changes are clearer instrumentation and new ergonomic seats with an integrated headrest and safety belt. A reinforced seat and seat anchoring in the floor also help improve safety.

"Drivers often climb into and out of their trucks many times on each shift," comments Claes Nilsson, president of Volvo Trucks. "That's why we've focused on creating a comfortable, convenient driver's environment with good visibility in every direction."

The Swedish manufacturer has also designed a 12-tonne version of the Volvo FL. With the most powerful engine in its segment (four-cylinder D5 with 240bhp), optimised I-Sync transmission and, weighing 500kg less than a corresponding truck with a six-cylinder engine, it sounds impressive.

"The new 12-tonner is a sharp contender in the largest European medium-duty segment," claims Tobias Bergman, product manager distribution and refuse segment at Volvo Trucks.

"The truck is lighter, lower and more competitively priced than the current model," he adds. "It increases customer productivity and efficiency at the same time as it offers the driver better working conditions."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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