VOLVO ups the game with FMX & FH
Volvo’s renewed portfolio brings in its renowned I-shift Automated transmission to India
Post witnessing an unprecedented slowdown, where sales of heavy duty vehicles fell to 1,31,000 units in 2013 (from 2,41,000 units in FY11), the year till date has has been fairly good numerically. The industry has posted 7 per cent growth to touch 1,05,000 units in 2014 and may touch 1,55,000 units by the year-end (15 per cent growth y-o-y). While the premium truck market in India is still in its nascent stages, with sales hovering around just 1,500 units per year, the market’s potential is still relatively untapped. Claiming to command a 68 per cent market share in the premium truck segment, Volvo has introduced its much acclaimed Volvo FM and Volvo FMX in India. It has also launched the Volvo FH (voted International Truck of the year 2014 in Europe). The FH puller does 520hp, the FMX tipper does 440hp, and the FM puller does
440hp. Volvo has also used the opportunity to introduce its fourth generation automatic I-shift gearbox technology, as an optional feature in the Indian market. Available at just 5 per cent extra cost as compared to a FMX truck equipped with 14-speed manual transmission, the aim of Volvo is without doubt, to carve out a bigger pie of the mining and construction segment. Premium heavy-duty mining and construction segment to
be precise. Designed primarily for use in gruelling operating conditions thus, the technologically advanced I-shift AMT transmission serves to reduce driver fatigue. Mentioned Rama Rao A S, Senior Vice President, Sales & Aftermarket, Volvo Trucks, “There are no losses involved of any kind in the transmission.” Gear actuation on the I-Shift AMT is accomplished with the help of various inputs received by the transmission from other sensory areas of the truck. Inputs include the speed at which the engine is turning, the level of torque being generated, the speed of the truck and more. The inputs are fed to an ECU, which continuously analyses the data received against what it has been programmed with to ensure gear shifts that are executed to ensure the best of performance and efficiency. Simply put, the I-Shift AMT selects the best ratio for efficient utilization of engine capacity without the intervention of the driver by monitoring vehicle speed, acceleration, road condition, weight and rolling resistance among others. If the I-Shift AMT transmission results in a relaxed
working environment for the driver surrounded by a desolate landscape and hardy souls around him as he ferries the charge up a steep, arduous incline, powering the Volvo FMX is the D13A 12.8-litre, 6 cylinder, in-line direct injection diesel engine. The engine generates torque between 2,200-2,500 Nm. Tested for Euro 3 emission standards or Bharat Stage 3, the D13A is assisted by 400 mm (diameter) power assisted, drag-type, friction clutch discs. An electrical switch is fitted on the dashboard for activation of parking brake. If the driver forgets to switch it on, the parking brake is automatically activated as soon as the engine switches off. It is de-activated when the engine is cranked. The airsuspended seats on three models come with adjustment for fore and aft movement, backrest angle, and height and lumber support. Starting January 2015, the Volvo trucks telematics solution ‘Dynafleet online’ will be made available on the three trucks.
Volvo FM 440 6x4 puller and Volvo FH 520 6x4 puller
Designed to pull exceptionally heavy and over-sized cargo, the cab of both, the FM and FH puller, can tilt up to 70 degree, It is fully suspended by four coil springs and shock absorbers. Where a new parabolic suspension with S-shaped leaf geometry in engineered on both pullers in front, the back sports a heavy duty bogie suspension with a multi-leaf spring set-up for comfortable mobility. On the outside, both trucks feature a distinct V-shape running light and integrated headlamp unit with higher illumination main beam for greater visibility during a journey at night. Inside the cabin, Volvo has put in an ergonomically designed dashboard with new instrument cluster and
onboard diagnostics. The dashboard also contains a climate control unit. The pullers, as mentioned above, come equipped with synchronized range splitter gearbox (having 14 forward speeds with 2 crawlers and 4 reverse gears). I-shift AMT will be offered as an option from the beginning of next year. Bearing 6-tonne of laden weight at front (on the front axle), the bogie setup at the rear is designed to bear a weight of 19-tonne. The load capacity of FH has been enhanced by 33 per cent as compared to the earlier model. An improved front under runner protection device at front prevents a car or similar such smaller vehicle from getting under the truck in case of a collision. The cab of FH model also includes an emergency sky roof of 50cm x 70cm size for the driver (and occupants) to escape in case the truck rolls over.
Volvo FMX 440 8x4 Tipper
A deep mining tipper that is positioned at the top end of the premium segment, which include the Scania P410 and Mercedes Benz Actros, the FMX is equipped with a front towing device certified for 25-tonne. It is made up of a stronger single piece of cast iron. The all-steel welded construction low Centre of Gravity (CG) rock body (super structure) has a struck volume of 19.5 cu.m (enhanced from 18 cu.m on the earlier FMX model). Volvo sources claim that the FMX is certified for a GVW of 51-tonne. The technical specifications mention the GVW at 31-tonne, with the two front axles having the ability to handle 12-tonnes. The two rear axles as part of the bogie suspension are tuned to handle 19-tonnes. The FMX also comes with a heavy duty