Volvo FMX Delivers On and Off the Road

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.

”Some tasks need to run smoothly even when the conditions are challenging. The Volvo FMX is Volvo Trucks’ most robust construction truck to date and it will make the toughest assignments easier – whether there’s a road or not,” said Marcus Hörberg, vice president of Volvo Group Southern Africa.  “The range is tailor-made to our customers’ business requirements, and the demanding local conditions it will be up against.”

Construction industry customers are facing ever-increasing demands to improve in areas such as sustainability, cost efficiency, safety and productivity

“With the launch of the new Volvo FMX, we are supporting these customers by creating robust trucks and innovative services to assist in making their operations easier, safer and more profitable,” stated Hörberg.

Regardless if a fleet is operating in a mine or service busy construction sites, the Volvo FMX is a precision tool customers can count on.

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,” explained Eric Parry, product manager of Volvo Trucks South Africa. “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 litres.

Where the FMX operates, visibility is of utmost importance. 

For this reason, Volvo Trucks designed the FMX so drivers get improved visibility thanks to a lowered door line and new rear view mirrors. The visibility is further improved by adding a camera on the passenger side which provides a complementary view of the side of the truck.

The interior is characterised by a new robust and dust resistant dashboard with more storage space, new colours 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 up to four different screen views, depending on the driving situation. The instrument display comes ready for future updates and connected services.

A 9-inch side display provides infotainment, navigation support, transport information and camera monitoring. The display, that 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.

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.

On Volvo FMX in 4×4, 6×6, 8×6 and 10×6 configuration – this feature automatically engages the front axle at the exact moment it is needed, and disengages it when the driver doesn’t.

The driven front drive axle is positioned to give the truck a better approach angle. It’s designed to be strong and streamlined. The parallel rod behind the axle beam is integrated, making the sturdy axle casing the lowest point of the vehicle and significantly improving ground clearance when fully loaded.

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 innovative sleeper cab on the new Volvo FMX comes with improved storage possibilities, including a large storage compartment underneath the raised bed and an upper rear storage with LED lighting 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 option 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 manoeuvrability and reduced tyre 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 the option of 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 travelling downhill.

The Electronically controlled Brake System (EBS), which is a prerequisite for safety features such as Forward 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.

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 & complete package

“By designing the robust new FMX construction truck that can carry more payload and manoeuvre more easily, while keeping the driver safe and comfortable, Volvo Trucks can help increase both productivity and profitability in the construction industry,” said Parry.

Facts about the new Volvo FMX

• Cabs: Day cab, Low day cab, Low sleeper cab, Sleeper cab, Globetrotter cab, Crew cab. Exterior and interior trim packages for individual design.
• A new steering wheel with a neck tilt option for a more ergonomic driving position.
• Engines: Diesel engines are available with different emission standards. The D11A is available in 330 hp/ 1650Nm and 370hp/ 1770Nm, and the D13A is available in 400 hp/ 2000Nm, 440hp/ 2200Nm and 480hp/ 2400Nm.

Euro 5 variants are also available on special request.

• Gear changing system: I-Shift and I-Shift with crawler gears, with software packages for different areas of application.
• Lights: Halogen or LED headlamps.

”Whether a fleet is operating on or off road, you’ll need a chassis that’s built to handle a lot of action on a daily basis,” said Parry. ”With the new FMX, Volvo Trucks will tailor chassis to support a customer’s success, using components and systems that are guaranteed to work reliably for many years to come.”

More uptime

“We know that uptime is more critical than ever, so we offer the support and service fleet owners require in these demanding times,” said Hörberg. 

This includes real time, around-the-clock monitoring.  It allows Volvo Trucks to detect, diagnose and treat faults before they become problems. 

“The new FMX is the perfect example of how Volvo Trucks turns innovation into real-life progress. And pushing progress into a new way to build tomorrow,” concluded Hörberg.