Volvo middleweights launched
Volvo Trucks has revealed the Euro 6 versions of its FL and FE (pictured) middleweight trucks, with two new engines: the six-cylinder 7.7-litre D8K and the four-cylinder 5.1-litre D5K.
The FE covers GVW segments from 18 – 26 tonnes and is available in 4×2 tractor and rigid forms and as a 6×2 or 6×4 rigid. Volvo’s FL 4×2 rigid is available with low, medium and high platform heights and covers gross weights from 12 to 18 tonnes. At a time when most truck unladen weights are rising thanks to the burden of Euro 6, the news that the 12-tonne FL can carry 500 kg more than its six-cylinder Euro 5 predecessor thanks to the new D5K engine, which is believed to be derived from a UD (formerly Nissan Diesel) design, will be welcomed by operators.
There are two ratings for the D5K engine: 210 and 240 hp, while the D8K is rated at 250 or 280 hp.
The D8K engine incorporates a Jacobs engine brake as standard, which is capable of generating up to 170 kW of braking force at a heady 2800 rpm. The smaller engine makes do with an exhaust brake generating a maximum of 80 kW. Both engines combine SCR and EGR technologies to reach the Euro 6 emissions limit.
Volvo is offering automated transmissions on the FE in six and 12-speed versions, with the 12-speed approved for GCWs of up to 44 tonnes. Six and nine-speed manuals are also available. The FL has a choice of manual or automated six-speed transmissions to suit GCWs from 19 to 36 tonnes.
Service intervals are long: on both trucks the engine oil only needs to be changed once a year if lubricant to Volvo’s VDS4 standard is used, even if the truck is on distribution duties.
Cosmetic changes to the Renault Trucks-supplied cab shell bring the visuals of the new trucks into line with those of their larger FM and FH stablemates.
There are three different cabs available for the FL: standard day, a longer ‘Comfort’ version which can be specified with either an office space behind the seats or a single bunk, and a four-door crew cab that can seat up to seven and is intended for specialist applications such as fire tender or vehicle recovery.
The FE has day and comfort cabs similar to the FL, but the third option on the heavier truck is a sleeper cab with a 780 mm wide bunk.
A wide variety of service and leasing contracts are offered with the new trucks, acknowledging the growing trend for distribution and specialist vehicles to be kept on fleet with their first operator for extended periods of time.
