Volvo Trucks presents the new Volvo FM

 

Better late than never. The new Volvo FM has been seen several times on several roads throughout Europe for the last several months and recently Volvo finally decided to fully reveal the new FM. If you are wondering what FM means, it's "Forward control Medium height cab".

The exterior, while it looks the same in comparison to the current model, suffered several changes, like the new heads lamps with LEDs, new body panels, among several other new things, but the most interesting changes happen underneath the new Volvo FM.

The 11 and 13 liter engines all meet the Euro 6 requirements (starting from 2014 all engines must comply with this standard). The D11 will range from 330 to 450hp and the D13 from 420hp to 500hp. One of the systems that allows for a 5% saving in fuel consumption is the I-See technology. It works, together with I-Shift transmission, by saving information about the topography of the roads on which the truck is driven and can even be downloaded in advance.

Another cool new feature are the three steered axles, one at the front and two at the rear on the 8x2 with tridem, two at the front and one at the rear on the 8x2 with two front axles. Something that gives the truck a smaller turning radius and helps save the tires.

The interior was redesigned to give it a better look, but also a safer environment. The new seat can be tilted forward an additional four degrees, while the backrest is now 10mm slimmer, allowing for a better driving position, an improved lumbar and side support, and more legroom.

The new instrument panel is angled towards the driver allowing it to easily reach every button. The steering now has several controls, like the cruise control, phone, Dynafleet and navigation. Has an option you can fit your own FM with a radar/camera-based driver assistance system Forward Collision Warning. Another optional system is a remote control for easier load handling.

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Short News: Volvo Trucks buys the last shares from Renault Trucks

The French automaker, Renault SA, sold the last shares (6,5%) they had in Volvo AB for 1.458 million Euros ($1.92 billion Dollars) ending a connection that lasted for 11 years as the largest owner of the Swedish company.

This sale has a clear objective, Renault needs money to reduce its debt and invest in France, Russia and China. Still in the near future both companies will continue to use the same components. Renault uses the same drivelines used by the Swedish company, and the FL and FE types are basically Renault Trucks.

Source: iepieleaks.nl

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What does it take to design and build a truck? Volvo Trucks design team tells us how they did it [Video]

 

All of us who like vehicles of all types, also find interesting how they are created and how they go from a simple drawing to the final form. And the guys all Volvo Trucks showed us how they do it.

Creating a car is not easy and a truck is even worse. It is a huge design challenge to create lines that are both attractive and functional. According to Rikard Orell, Design Director at Volvo Trucks, “Coming up with solutions where design and function go hand-in-hand was one of our most important tasks” and "The design challenge we were given was to create something that was exciting and fresh, while at the same time retaining and carrying over all those elements that were so highly appreciated in the previous model"

It was a process that took over 5 years where everything was checked, from the sound and feel of every button, plastics and textiles to how each part is connected with each other on the inside and outside, and many meetings and decisions later we get the final product.

Source: CommercialMotor

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