Volvo launches 2014 truck range

Volvo Trucks has unveiled its 2014 range of models to Australia's press at Victoria's Australian Automotive Research Centre

The nation's truck and transport media got a first-hand glimpse of Volvo's new truck range at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) near Anglesea, Victoria, on July 7, 2014.

The new range represents the first major overhaul of Volvo's line-up in many years, with heavily revised FM, FMX and FE models now joining the new FH flagship that first hit Australian roads early this year.

According to Mitch Peden, Vice President – Sales at Volvo Trucks, the new line-up is packed with improvements and innovations.

"It's a complete new generation of truck, really," he says.

"The previous generation was released to the market before I started with Volvo, around 13 or 14 years ago … and the only carry over is the drivetrains – the engines, transmissions and the like."

The update has seen improvements made to the chassis, suspension and cabins, while a number of new technical features have been introduced to enhance the driving experience and fuel economy.

Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) is now available across the FH, FM, and FMX models, the system reducing the steering force required at the wheel by up to 85 per cent. This translates to finger-tip control in low-speed manoeuvring, while the VDS self-centring function also aids reversing (as shown to great effect by Jean-Claude Van Damme in Volvo's 'The Epic Split' viral marketing campaign).

The 2014 range also sees the introduction of Volvo's I-Roll and I-See features to the brand's I-Shift 12-speed automated manual transmission.

I-Roll disengages the driveline when coasting down shallower gradients to conserve fuel, while I-See uses GPS technology and topographical maps to alter speed and gear selection to maximise fuel economy, offering a claimed saving of up to five per cent. I-See doesn't purely rely on the topographic maps – it 'memorises' any given route, then storing that information so it can be used the next time the truck takes those roads.

Trucksales.com.au was in attendance at the media launch of Volvo's 2014 range and sampled a number of the new models both on the AARC proving ground and the surrounding region's public roads – check back soon for full coverage of the event.

Volvo launches 2014 truck range

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