The global Covid-19 threat has crashed the Volvo new range party
As coronavirus continues its debilitating impact on societies and businesses around the world, Volvo has made the difficult and undoubtedly wise decision to defer a global launch event for its revitalised range of FH, FM and FMX models.
The event scheduled for the first week of March 2020 at Volvo’s world headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, has been deferred indefinitely.
Media and special guests from the around the world, including several countries where the virus is already active, were due to fly into Sweden for the official introduction of a new range which was previewed in a spectacular ‘tower’ of four models – FH, FH16, FM and FMX – shown on social media a week ago.
The day after its tower teaser, Volvo revealed first details of the new line-up which will almost certainly be released in Australia later this year.
Driver comfort, safety and lower emissions have all been advanced in the new range, Volvo states, with a particular emphasis on providing operational and comfort features aimed at enticing drivers to the Swedish brand.
FM and FMX models, for instance, gain a new cab equipped with many of the same instrument display functions as their larger siblings. The cab also boasts up to one cubic metre more interior space than current versions.
Importantly, the driver’s area in all models has a new interface for information which makes it easier and less distracting to view and manage the truck’s various functions.
What’s more, the instrument display is fully digital on a 12-inch screen while in easy reach across the dash is a nine-inch display for a wide range of ancillary functions such as radio, navigation and camera monitoring.
The functions can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, by voice control, or on the touchscreen.
Check out the new Volvo heavy-duty range
On the safety front, the electronic brake system (EBS) – a prerequisite for safety features such as collision warning with emergency brake and electronic stability control – now comes as standard.
Meantime, Volvo’s dynamic steering system with lane keeping assist and stability assist, is optional.
According to Volvo, ‘The new FH can also be tailored with a new, efficient Euro 6 diesel engine which is included in the I-Save package that enables significant fuel and CO2 savings.
‘In long-haul operations, for instance, the new FH with I-Save combines the new D13TC (turbo-compound) engine with a package of features and can deliver fuel savings up to seven percent.’
Interestingly, we speculated on Australian testing of the D13TC engine some time back and as early information now suggests, the turbo-compound engine will be one of many features in a vastly refreshed Volvo range due Down Under later this year.