Volvo Trucks takes its most robust construction truck into the future with the new Volvo FMX

By MEq February 29, 2020 19:03

Volvo Trucks has launched its all-new Volvo FMX with an entirely new cab, increased payloads and innovative safety features. With increased front axle loads of up to 20 tonnes and a 38-tonne bogie, the new Volvo FMX is built for the toughest conditions and most demanding assignments.

“Our construction industry customers are facing ever-increasing demands to improve in areas such as sustainability, cost efficiency, safety, and productivity,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. “With the launch of the new Volvo FMX, we are proving our commitment to supporting these customers by creating robust trucks and innovative services to assist in making their operations easier, safer and more profitable.”

Entirely new cab, with a tough exterior
The new Volvo FMX is built on an entirely new cab platform, based on Volvo’s long and successful experience of delivering robust and functional construction trucks.

“The new Volvo FMX is designed to give a superior combination of agility and durability,” explains Ismail Ovacik, Chief Designer Exterior for Volvo Trucks. “The completely new cab includes a front section with easily replaceable sturdy parts, headlamp protectors and new V-shaped LED headlamps. To make it easy for drivers to enter or exit, we’ve designed new anti-slip footsteps.”

Added driver focus
The new Volvo FMX comes with increased space in the day cab and storage of up to 800 liters. Drivers also get improved visibility thanks to a lowered door line and new rearview mirrors. The visibility can be improved further by adding a camera on the passenger side which provides a complementary view of the side of the truck.

The interior is characterized by a new dashboard with more storage space, new colors and a modern cluster. It includes a dynamic 12-inch high-resolution instrument display with a user-friendly interface allowing the driver to immediately see relevant information and select between four different screen views, depending on the driving situation. The instrument display comes ready for future updates and connected services.

An optional 9-inch side display provides infotainment, navigation support, transport information, and camera monitoring. The display, which is easy to reach, allows the driver to interact in numerous ways: with the intuitively positioned buttons on the steering wheel, through voice control, or directly via the touchscreen and display control panel. Both the instrument display and the side display work in numerous languages.

The new FMX also comes equipped with a new traction control panel that helps the driver easily and quickly handle potentially dangerous situations, both on and off the road. The driver can gain more traction by engaging the differential locks in an easy way, by turning a knob, viewing the traction status on the instrument display at the same time. A new steering wheel with a neck tilt option offers the driver a more ergonomic driving position.

Living area with more storage and greater comfort
The new sleeper cab on the new Volvo FMX comes with improved storage possibilities, including a large storage compartment underneath the raised bed and upper rear storage with LED panels in the compartment dividers. Cab comfort is further enhanced through improved insulation that helps keep out cold, heat and noise. Moving from the seat to the bed is easier than ever with the new slimmer, ergonomically designed I-Shift gear selector.

GCW up to 150 tonnes raises productivity
The new Volvo FMX features the heaviest addition to Volvo’s chassis range – a 38-tonne bogie that allows for a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of up to 150 tonnes. In addition, the front air suspension has been updated, allowing for front axle loads of up to 10 tonnes, or 20 tonnes for double front axles. For trucks with a steered tag or pusher axle, the steering angles have been increased, resulting in better maneuverability and reduced tire wear. All these improvements add up to greater productivity and cost efficiencies for construction transportation tasks.

Safety features that help avoid accidents
The new Volvo FMX comes with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that now works at all speeds down to zero km/h. Further safety-enhancing features on the Volvo FMX include downhill cruise control, which sets a maximum speed to help prevent unwanted acceleration when traveling downhill. The Electronically controlled Brake System (EBS), which is a prerequisite for safety features such as Collision Warning with Emergency Brake and Electronic Stability Control, is now standard on the new truck. Volvo Dynamic Steering, with the safety systems Lane Keeping Assist and Stability Assist, is also available as an option.

A new road sign recognition system increases safety on the Volvo FMX by displaying traffic signs such as speed limits, overtaking restrictions and road type in the instrument display. For particularly rough applications like mining, the Volvo FMX comes with an optional steel roof hatch with an emergency exit handle that removes the entire hatch.

A robust and complete package
By designing the robust new FMX construction truck that can carry more tonnes and maneuver more easily, while keeping the driver safe and comfortable, Volvo Trucks can help increase both productivity and profitability in the construction industry.

New service contract helps customers improve their cash flow
The rapid development of connected services gives haulers completely new ways of increasing vehicle uptime and optimizing vehicle utilization. Volvo Trucks is introducing the Volvo Flexi Gold Contract that offers the same coverage as the Volvo Gold Contract, at the same predictable cost, but with much greater flexibility to adapt to changing business needs. The monthly fees vary, thanks to a 40% flexibility span for the estimated yearly mileage. This gives haulers greater flexibility to adapt their operations to seasonal changes and fluctuating demand.

“Many transport companies express a need for greater flexibility when it comes to service contracts. We now have the technology to make dynamic and connected solutions like this possible,” says Thomas Niemeijer, Business Development Manager, Service Contracts, Volvo Trucks.