2017 Volvo FH 540: Review

Name: 2017 Volvo FH 540: Review
Brand: Volvo

With a car carrier out back, Volvo's FH 540 proves its worth on the Melbourne to Adelaide run…

The current-model Volvo FH has been a common sight on our roads for a few years now. Given its popularity among the big fleets and the smaller operators alike, we thought it would be worth a revisit to see how it stands up a few years on from its local introduction. In order to put it to the test, Trucksales got behind the wheel of a base-spec FH 540 for a week, and put it to work running between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Very Volvo

The FH is unmistakably Volvo, in terms of both appearance and features. While the 'new' cab benefits from sharper external lines and a renewed interior layout, the look and feel is distinctively Swedish – neat, clean and very businesslike.

Underneath the shell though, it's all about performance and safety, with all the latest equipment to keep a driver both comfortable and safe. The real beauty of the Volvo product, right across the range, is that having all of this technology on board is not daunting or frustrating for the driver – quite the opposite, in fact. Most of the safety equipment is subliminal, acting in the background without any input from the driver, but always there when it's needed.

Having an integrated driveline that's designed and built by Volvo, for Volvo, means the driveline, safety equipment and controls work together flawlessly. This in turn makes life easier on the operator, and helps to achieve the most efficient and reliable service from the vehicle. If something should go wrong, there's no bickering between component suppliers, meaning less fuss in getting things fixed. Simply head to the nearest Volvo dealership, and chances are they will have the parts, tools and knowledge to sort any problem on a product that is, essentially, Volvo from front to back.

In the cab

The climb into the cab is a four-step process, with well-positioned grab handles and a wide door opening to make for easy ingress and egress. The FH is definitely better suited to the long haul, where a driver will not be getting in and out 20 times a day. Once in the seat, the layout of the dash and cab means everything you need comes to hand easily, with all controls well labelled and within easy reach.

The instrument cluster is uncluttered, with a large analogue-style speedometer and tacho, and digital displays for all other information. This includes all of the gauges, with the driver able to select which gauges remain on the screen all the time.

The steering wheel contains all the controls for the radio, phone, cruise control and on-board computer, including the in-dash information screen. Controls for the three-stage retarder and trailer brakes are mounted on the stalk on the steering column, where they are easy to reach without taking a hand off the wheel.

The driver's seat, an Isri air-suspended unit, provides all the adjustments you could need, including multiple-zone lumbar adjustment and heating for those cold mornings. The gear shift is mounted to the seat base, meaning it is perfectly positioned wherever the seat is positioned, and can be folded forward to allow easy access across the cab or into the bunk when neutral is selected.

The bunk itself, while still being slightly narrow, is very comfortable, with reading lamps and controls for various functions inside the cab such as interior lighting and sunroof operation. Full wrap-around curtains provide privacy and darkness, even in the daylight hours, helping to make the most of any available sleep time.

The floor is only slightly raised between the seats, meaning even the low version, as driven, offers plenty of room to stand up and move around the cab. Ample storage is available for a weeks' worth of necessities, with overhead storage above the windscreen, a large cabinet across the rear wall, and external toolboxes either side that can be accessed from inside by lifting the base of the bed.

A slide-out fridge and a large storage drawer are fitted beneath the bed, though it would seem they have been fitted the wrong way around, as the fridge is located on the passenger's side and is awkward to access if the driver wants a drink while driving.

Under the cab

Sitting beneath the cab of our test unit, as mentioned, was a full Volvo driveline consisting of the 13lt D13A engine rated to 540hp/2600Nm matched with a 12-speed I-shift automated manual transmission (AMT).

The beauty of this combination is that the communication between the engine and transmission means they work together to make the most of the engine's torque at low revs, reducing both the fuel burn and the noise levels within the cab.

A tall 3.09:1 rear diff ratio keeps the tacho at around 1550rpm at 100km/h, just at the top of the green band. This means the D13A is right in the power band, and holds on to top gear very well when it hits the hills.

Over three return trips between Melbourne and Adelaide, at a gross weight of around 50 tonnes, this driveline returned an average of right on 2km/lt. That's no too bad, considering the amount of towns, roadworks and caravans that were encountered along the way.

Helping to achieve this figure was the I-roll function incorporated into the transmission software, which neutralises the transmission when there is no load on the driveline. This allows the engine to drop to idle speed, while the weight and momentum of the truck are used to coast.

This system works with both pedal and cruise control operation, and allows the truck to coast further than if it were in gear. In fact, there were sections where the truck coasted for over three kilometres, before the engine came back into service.

The drive

Driving the FH is a relatively stress-free task. The environment in the cab is relaxed, quiet and spacious, with everything a driver will need right at their fingertips. The driveline is smooth and quiet, with just enough of a rumble in the cab to know that the truck is doing its thing.

Vision is excellent, with the huge one-piece windscreen offering a panoramic view of the road ahead. Rearward vision is also very good, with a large, flat pane and a spotter mirror on each side. These are electrically adjusted and heated to allow for clear rearward vision in all conditions.

The cab sits on four-point spring suspension which irons out all but the worst of the bumps, with the adjustable shock absorber in the seat taking care of the rest. That was handy given the condition of certain stretches of the road along the way. Even on those stretches, however, the FH remained firmly planted to the ground and maintained its composure.

The verdict

Even a few years after its release, the Volvo FH is still one of the premium European trucks on the market in Australia. The irony of that is that they are actually built here in Australia, using a great number of locally sourced components. This local manufacture means those Volvos sold in Australia are built for Australian conditions. Even after 380,000km, our test truck had no rattles, squeaks or issues, demonstrating the benefits of local manufacturing and regular servicing.

After a week behind the wheel, it was a fresh and happy driver that handed the keys back to the usual driver. Having lived in the FH for the week, it is testament to the comfort of the FH that there were no aches, pains or grumpiness due to a lack of sleep. While the world outside the window can throw a few stresses the way of the driver, the FH goes a long way to providing a relaxed workplace.

2017 Volvo FH 540 specifications

Engine: Volvo D13A Euro5 540hp/2600Nm

Transmission: Volvo I-shift 12sp automated manual

Cab (as tested): Standard sleeper cab with 815mm wide mattress and rear wall mounted storage compartment.

Front axle: Volvo with parabolic spring suspension rated to 7.1t

Rear axles: Volvo single reduction tandem axles with diff lock and power divider; ECAS air suspension with 21t rating

GVM: 23t

GCM: 70t

Safety: Electronic Brake System (EBS) with ABS, traction control, hill start aid, diff lock control, brake assist, wheel brake monitoring, EBS status, driver's airbag, seatbelt pre-tensioners

2017 Volvo FH 540: Review

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