Said to be the first truck manufacturer to offer this functionality, Automatic Traction Control (ATC) improves handling and fuel consumption, and reduces wear and tear on the vehicle.
ATC works by automatically activating the front-wheel drive if the rear wheels lose traction on slippery or soft ground.
"Many drivers connect front-wheel drive or differential lock in good time before a difficult section of terrain, in order to avoid getting stuck," says Jonas Odermalm, Volvo's construction industry manager.
"Volvo Automatic Traction Control engages the front wheel drive when in motion, and only for the short time that it is really needed," he adds.
ATC features software to the wheel speed sensors, which detect and control wheel drive. When a rear wheel starts to slip, the power moves automatically to the front wheels without the truck losing torque or speed.
In half a second, says Volvo, a dog clutch activates the front-wheel drive. The clutch is lighter and has fewer moving parts than a traditional solution with permanent all-wheel drive. If the driver encounters particularly rough ground, then it is possible to manually lock the other differentials at both front and rear.
"Just like the Volvo I-Shift revolutionised the gearbox, we are confident that this new development will do the same for the driven front axle," says Ricard Fritz, VP for the Volvo Trucks Brand.