Hyderabad: Volvo India has rolled out its new generation of trucks, heralding the next step in trucking in India. They are: the FM12 6x4 380 hp tractor, the FM9 6x2 300 hp tractor, the FM9 6x4 300 hp tipper and the FM9 8x4 tipper.

The new models have several improvements in the areas of safety, haulage economy, fuel consumption and environment care. All the new models are Euro III-complaint and have been adapted to Indian customer needs based on Volvo''s experience in long haul and off-road applications.

The new range is built to be used efficiently in demanding conditions, with minimum disruptions for service and maintenance. The new trucks are from Volvo''s all-new global product portfolio, which has been the group''s biggest product overhaul in a decade, created at an investment of over Rs 2,900 crore.

In the last five years, since Volvo began operations in India, the need for large-combination vehicles has been well accepted in the industry and among authorities, too. With this concept in mind, Volvo now takes its next step — bringing in products that lay the road to the next level in reliability, truck technology, environment and safety standards — aspects that are essential to exploit the upcoming superhighways and to enhance logistics efficiency in the industry.

The trucks are fitted with brand-new fuel-efficient engines — the new D9 and 12D engines — a new electronics system, a new chassis range, a new cab variant, an updated exterior with improved aerodynamics, and a new interior. The engine offers higher torque and pulling power and improved driveability.

The new trucks provide higher gradability and startability — moving quicker on gradients and making the gear-shifting process easier and offering numerous opportunities to reduce fuel consumption. The new engine comes along with a perfectly matched Volvo driveline that meets operators'' specific requirements.

Applications of the new trucks include road construction and mining where the FM9 6x4 and FM9 8x4 tipper can be used; steel, cement, inland containers, heavy bulk cargo for which the FM12 6x4 tractor is ideally suited; and the FM9 6x2 tractor has been introduced for transporting sea containers and petroleum tankers.

Says Volvo India managing director Ulf Nordqvist: "We are proud to present the latest range of trucks from — Volvo the FM12 and FM9 — the next step in trucking. We have continued to raise the bar in the commercial vehicle industry by constantly introducing the latest international products and bringing in global best practices to India.

"India has an opportunity to provide world-class transport solutions with the coming of the superhighways, the focus on logistics and increase concern for the environment and safety. But these are of no use if we cannot provide reliable vehicles that can provide reliability and utilise the new roads to achieve higher average speeds. The new trucks are a part of Volvo''s continuous endeavour to drive the change in the commercial vehicle segment in India. Today, we display the next step in trucking in this process of change."

The Volvo FM12 and FM9 have a refreshing new fascia design, high-precision fuel injection, higher power rating and a rugged and sturdy construction. The truck is fitted with more powerful headlamps and the refurbished cab offers improved visibility and is more aerodynamic in design.

The truck range meets current and future demands for good haulage economy and fuel economy, combined with low environmental impact and high safety. The new range of trucks are fitted with two new engines — a brand new D9 engine, a new 12D base engine. Both engines meet the new, stricter Euro III environmental regulations.

The Volvo D9 is a completely new engine with offering 300 hp power level. Compared with its predecessor, the Volvo D10, it is 80 kg lighter and has better fuel economy. The highly popular D12 engine is the basis of Volvo''s engine range and has been greatly upgraded in its Euro III version, resulting in better fuel consumption and reduced maintenance requirements.

With a range of detail improvements such as more effective cooling of the cylinder heads and cylinder liners, a higher capacity oil filter and sturdier pistons, cylinder liners and inlet valves, the new engines offers even greater operating reliability and dependability.

The new engines incorporate electronically controlled fuel injection, allowing optimum fuel quantity at exactly the right point of time for each combustion cycle. The engine''s electrical control unit continuously receives data from sensors that register a host of signals from oil pressure to camshaft position.

The EMS leads to longer service life by eliminating the risk of severe wear or major damages to the engine. Furthermore, all operational data is stored in the electronic system and can be used for in-depth analysis using the trip manager software or the logger manager software in Dynafleet. The new Volvo gearbox, too, has several new features, including cable controls and servo synchromesh, making gear changing even easier.

The new trucks follow Volvo''s tradition of developing the safest vehicles on the market. Several major advances have been made in the area of safety. The integral front under-run protection (FUPS) is a new feature that is standard. It prevents a car being wedged under the truck in the event of a head-on collision.

The Volvo FM9 and FM12 have a new cab interior, which has been further tailored to the driver''s needs for access to a functional workplace both while driving and resting. Even more practical storage spaces have been provided in the cab — a completely new instrument panel with a central driver display and a safety steering wheel that collapses in the case of an accident.