Volvo announces all-new model range rollout

When we spoke to Volvo Australia Group boss Martin Merrick a few weeks ago, he told us that the group was heading for the biggest launch year in the history of the company.

“We’ve got four new Volvo trucks coming,” Mr Merrick said. “As well as a big launch for Mack [the Mack Anthem] and the Croner for UD,” he added.

Well, now the cat’s out of the bag and the new Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FH and Volvo FH16 have been announced.

“We’re very proud that we’ll be building the four Volvo trucks here in Wacol [Queensland]… and we have big investment in that, as well as a $100 million investment in the Mack product over the next four years,” Mr Merrick said.

VGA made the announcement of the new Volvo models today with a press statement to the Australian and New Zealand transport media.

The statement said that the new Volvos were designed with the driver in mind and offer unparalleled levels of comfort, driveability and safety.

The entire range of new Volvo models will be built at the Volvo Group production facility, Wacol, Queensland.

“Australia is a big country,” says Tony O’Connell, Vice President, Sales Volvo Trucks Australia.

“Long-haul drivers don’t just drive our trucks; they often live in them, however even in an urban distribution environment drivers also need a safe comfortable workplace,” he added.

“For some, it is the modern office with every convenience at hand, for others it is also a home.”

“These trucks raise the bar in terms of comfort, performance and efficiency,” he continued. “And any driver would be proud to find themselves behind the wheel of any truck in our new range.”

The new Volvo FH will have the option of Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions levels across the range in both 13-litre and 16-litre capacities as well as a complementary range of horsepower options.

The Volvo FM features an all-new cab as well as Euro 5 and 6 options in 11-litre and 13-litre engine capacities.

Related reading:
New Volvo FH16 unveiled
Volvo launches new FMX
New Volvo FM read for duty

Obviously, emissions, efficiency and safety feature highly across the Volvo Trucks line-up in addition to a significant focus on the driver environment.

As before, truck cabs across the range meet the world’s most stringent crash test rating – the Swedish BOF10 cab strength test.

Vision has been improved by more than 10 per cent on the Volvo FM, we’re told, and the Volvo FMX which now features similar lines to the Volvo FH cab with a larger windscreen, slimmer A-pillars, slim-line mirrors, and a lower door line.

To minimise blind spots, the new passenger corner camera activates when the left indicator is used, the corner camera can also be activated at the push of a button enabling the driver to check the area when required.

The camera image is displayed on the nine-inch dash mounted touch-screen display. This display can handle input from up to 8 cameras.

FH and FH16 LED headlights feature the Adaptive High Beam function which partially dips the high beam headlights when the headlights or taillights of another vehicle are detected ahead of the truck.

This means that the area surrounding the vehicle can remain illuminated by the partial high beam, increasing vision, without blinding other road users. The system also detects the lights of smaller vehicles such as motorcycles and cyclists.

Other active safety features include, adaptive cruise control for speeds down to zero km/h and hill-descent control that automatically activates the wheel brakes when extra brake force is needed to maintain constant downhill speed.

The Electronically Controlled Brake System (EBS), which is a prerequisite for safety features such as Collision Warning with Emergency Brake and electronic stability control, comes standard on the new truck. Volvo Dynamic Steering, with the safety systems Lane Keeping Assist and Stability Assist, is also available as an option.

The Volvo FM and FMX interior cab space has increased by up to one cubic metre, giving drivers more room to move as well as additional storage space. Day cab models have also get a 40 per cent increase in storage space.

A new ergonomically design I-Shift transmission selector and simplified switch gear across the dashboard adds to the ease of use and comfort from the driver’s seat.

Inside, an all-new 12-inch instrument panel minimises driver distraction with clean, clear digital instrumentation while a new larger touch-screen display with a simplified menu is now within easy reach of the driver. The functions of the display can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, by voice control, or via the touchscreen and display control panel.

Building on the current Euro 6 offerings in the Volvo FM11 and FM13 models, the entire range of models now come with options for Euro 6. In the new Volvo FM, Euro 6 horsepower ratings include the 11-litre 380, 430 and 460hp options, the 13-litre range includes the 460 and 500hp options.

The previous range of Euro 5 engines with 330hp to 500hp options will still be on offer. The Volvo FMX will also retain the option of a 540hp Euro 5 powerplant.

The Volvo FH will also benefit from the addition of 13-litre Euro 6 variants including the 500hp D13 Turbo Compound engine as well as the 13-litre 540hp rating.

The Volvo FH16 will see the existing Euro 5 range that covers horsepower ratings from 600 to 700hp, complemented by Euro 6 variants at 550hp and 650hp.

The addition of the Australian I-Save package to the new Volvo FH is set to create new levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 savings.

The 500hp/2800Nm Euro 6 turbo compound engine, is included in the Australian I-Save package and enables significant fuel and CO2 savings. In long-haul operations, the new Volvo FH with Australian I-Save combines the new Euro 6 D13TC engine into a package that also includes I-See which accesses centrally stored topographic data to optimise transmission performance and engine efficiency.

Other components included in the package are I-Shift with dash mounted gear selector and economy transmission software, I-Cruise with I-Roll, optimised 2.83 rear axle ratio with fuel efficient energy tyres, engine idle shutdown, and variable displacement power steering pump.

“I’m very excited to see the new Volvo Trucks range come to life here on Australia soil,” says Tony O’Connell. “Our biggest launch ever with our safest, most productive and most efficient range of transport solutions has been eagerly anticipated by customers.”

“This has been a massive project and we have invested heavily in our manufacturing capability to ensure that these trucks will be built at our Wacol Qld production facility.”

“The new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX are intelligent and versatile and continue to support our customers by building on the already formidable reputation carved out by the classic models in the urban streets, the quarries and the regional back blocks of Australia,” he continued.

“The FH and FH16 will continue to power Australian long-haul and heavy haulage businesses with new levels of driver comfort and appointments.

“And best of all, we are building this entire range right here in Australia,” Mr O’Connell concluded.

The new Volvo Trucks range will be on sale from November 30, 2020, and we'll bring you more info and drive impressions as they come to hand.