Volvo FH16 arrives in UK

Volvo has taken back the Euro 6 power crown from Scania with the arrival of the first of the new FH16 750 models on UK shores. The Swedish manufacturer displayed the first example in Britain, a 6×2 tractor, at the Peterborough Truckfest in May.

Unlike 13-litre and smaller Volvo truck engines, the Euro 6 version of the Volvo D16K engine uses a full-on cooled exhaust gas recirculation system in addition to SCR for the control of NOx emissions. A new dual-stage turbocharger not only aids power output, but also helps control the recirculation of the exhaust gas. Volvo’s smaller truck engines also use EGR, but uncooled as a means of raising engine temperature to aid the SCR system, rather than reducing peak combustion temperatures to reduce NOx at source.

Three engine outputs are available: 550, 650 and 750 hp. All the engines are equipped with I-Shift, Volvo’s automated transmission, although the 550 hp version is available in slightly de-rated form (see graph above) with a 14-speed manual gearbox option. John Comer, product manager at Volvo Trucks, UK and Ireland, said operators choosing the truck for certain heavy-haulage applications preferred the fine control given by the manual transmission’s crawler gear and driver-operated clutch.

All engine versions can be specified with Volvo’s VEB+ engine brake. Maximum braking effect has been raised from 425 kW  to 470 kW at 2200 rpm, further improving safety and reducing wear on the foundation brakes.

“The Volvo FH16 with Euro-6 engine has the same high reliability, the same fuel consumption, the same power and peak torque as before. But now the driver has access to maximum torque from just 900 or 950 rpm depending on horsepower rating,” Mr Comer added.