New Volvo Trucks Check All Boxes and More

Last week, the streets Windhoek carried an air of excitement as Volvo’s latest trucks pulled into the capital as part of their southern African road trip. Here they showed off their most technologically advanced long haul and heavy duty trucks to date.

After and short introduction and welcome, industry execs and journalists set off in three groups for the Auto Sueco Volvo trucks experience. We’re first to test drive the brand new FH6, FM and FMX heavy duty trucks. This would have been a straightforward task had they not been so pleasing to look at. Most of us got lost in daydreams of owning one as we walked around the cabs, taking in the incredible design aesthetics of the latest models.

Widened eyes followed us as other road users point and marvel at these traffic stopping additions to the legendary Volvo range of trucks. The action centered around the parking lot at the Safari Court Hotel, where the Volvo truck experience kicked off in great style.

Walking to the marquee through a fleet of Volvo trucks is as impressive as it sounds. Even the older trucks have a distinguished look about them, like they knew where they were going and would not stop until they got there. Passing some of the other invited guests admiring the fleet’s predecessors, I couldn’t help but overhear owners, drivers and even mechanics gush adoringly about how smart, hardy and reliable these trucks are. They also excitedly trade rumors on what new technologies and other advances the models we’re there to see may boast.

The FH6 is the showpiece and rightly so, the sight of it is only surpassed by experiencing it in it’s natural habit, on the open road.

With its updated instrument cluster, an even bigger host of driver support systems, dynamic steering, I-Shift gearbox and obvious class leading safety, the FH6 is the final word in truck technology.

Power and efficiency strike an immaculate balance with the 16 litre engines developing up to an incredible 610 horsepower, capable of hauling up to 40 tonnes. Definitely not a slouch, the FH6 also takes the efficiency fight to a new standard with systems in place to ensure the most economical ride.

Volvo have long been at the zenith of driver support systems and safety technology, so it stands to reason that no effort be spared in the pursuit to creating vehicles that provide the best possible safety for drivers and other road users.

These advances include a buzzer to alert the driver when encroaching on another lane without using the indicator and engine retardation or braking at the press of a button.

All this and the incredibly intelligent I-Shift gearbox make for efficient gear changes to suit the road situation and also to keep the driver as relaxed as possible, while minimising driver distractions by having a host of controls on the steering wheel.

This however was not the only attraction on the day as there was also the FM and FMX models on display.

These rough and tumble work horses are your sink your knuckles into everything, everyday kind of trucks. Their robust design and serious heavy duty capabilities make them the natural choice for the construction and mining industries. This is more true for the FMX and then the city king FM.

Volvo are known for putting on daring stunts to illustrate the superior capabilities of their Trucks and in one video, the Volvo truck boss staked his life on the FMX’s front tow hitch.

They suspended the 32 ton truck from a crane in a harbour with their chief standing on the nose of the cab as it dangles high above the ground.

The ease and comfort of driving one of these masterpieces is clear from something the driving instructor said to me. “I’ve been driving trucks so nearly 30 years, but I actually look forward to getting behind the wheel of a Volvo. These trucks are just in another class, I think I would actually cry if I had to drive a truck made by anyone else every day. “

It became clear to me as the afternoon wore on that Volvo trucks lead the way, both in technology and design. If you’re in the market for new truck or even if you’re not, pay Volvo Trucks a visit to get an eye full of these marvels, you won’t be disappointed.

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