Introducing the Volvo FH440
The FH440 – a 6x4 truck tractor – is produced by Volvo Trucks, one of the largest truck brands in the world. The company is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is owned by AB Volvo (which used to own Volvo Cars, which is now part of Geely). Volvo Trucks makes a range of commercial vehicles that are sold in more than 140 countries.
The FH specifically is Volvo’s top-selling truck by far. In South Africa, it accounted for 72.8% of Volvo sales during 2019. Our test truck was assembled at Volvo’s plant in Durban.
The truck in a nutshell
The Volvo FH is a long-haul truck that is much favoured by drivers because it’s incredibly comfortable. Transport operators like it too – because it’s fuel-efficient, even when in the hands of an inexperienced driver. More about that later. Our test truck was pulling a 12m flat deck double-axle semi-trailer, loaded to the maximum GVM with water ballast.
Exterior
The exterior of the FH is rather nice. Having said that, watch the space for the new model that comes out next year. It’s superb! (We can’t wait to drive the new truck.) As an aside, while many of the trucks on our road are white, the FH comes in over 650 different hues, tints, and shades. Not happy with one of those? Volvo can mix any colour for you.
We started off our drive with a pre-trip inspection, which is very easy to do; everything is accessible. The cab can be tilted manually or electrically. The cab is very aerodynamic and aerokits are standard on all FH models.
Interior
Our test truck featured the Globetrotter cab for extra height – so it was incredibly roomy. Because our test truck is also used for driver training, it had two extra seats in the back, which are obviously not standard. Hence, it can seat four passengers in total. Typically, the FH would include a sleeper bunk or two in normal operational conditions.
Speaking of seats, the driver’s seat is very comfortable. So too is the passenger’s seat up front, which is also fully air suspended. That’s terrific for co-drivers, who often have to suffer while the driver swans around in style and comfort.
Drivetrain
It is equipped with a Euro 3 D13A440 engine. It generates maximum power of 440 hp at 1400 to 1800 r/min and maximum torque of 2200 Nm at 1050 to 1400 r/min. It is the latest updated motor, so it has all the features that have come through from Volvo’s Euro 6 motors (updated turbo, piston rings and cylinder liners etc). With the latest drivetrain, it has a more linear response – so you don’t have that big “hop” of acceleration at the first part of the pedal travel. Practically, this means that the engine is incredibly smooth. The engine is also fairly quiet, which really makes the truck a pleasure to drive. With 440 hp up for grabs, it pulled our load effortlessly.
As soon as we got onto the highway, I activated the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). In this mode, the FH won’t use the foundation brakes to stop the vehicle. You also don’t need to touch the accelerator at all; the truck happily drives itself. I found the test drive incredibly relaxing, actually – because the truck did all the work. I just sat there and admired the scenery (more or less).
When the truck doesn’t need power, it goes into Eco Roll, which is a great way of saving diesel (the engine actually idles during this time). From time to time, the truck also changed into E+ mode, meaning it was driving as economically as possible even when it was not idling.
When you take your hand off the steering wheel completely, the Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) will hold the line of travel and keep it centred. You can drive hands-free more or less indefinitely while on the highway. I had a good laugh though; I did remove my hands for the steering wheel for some time and then the Driver Alert System “shouted” at me for being a tardy driver. (The truck is a bit like a nagging wife, I commented to Eric Parry, Product Manager at Volvo Trucks, who joined me on my drive.) On a serious note, that Driver Alert System really is something special. If the driver has the radio on too loud, it will even turn down the music to get the driver’s attention.
One of the most impressive features of the FH is the Torque Assist, new software that can save fuel. As I have already reported, it’s quite exceptional – my average fuel consumption was 34.94 l/100 km while I achieved an almost unbelievable 99 out of 100 for “engine and gear utilisation”.
The FH440 is an air-suspended tractor and it also has Tandem Axle Lift. This lets the driver disengage and raise one of the drive axles – giving the traction and load capacity of a four-wheel drive, with the driveability and efficiency of a two-wheel-drive. We were too heavy and so we couldn’t use this feature. But, as Parry pointed out during our test drive, Tandem Axle Lift is ideal if you drive heavily loaded in one direction and empty in the other.
“When the truck is unloaded, you push a button on the dashboard to disengage and raise the drive axle. As soon as you load the truck, the drive axle automatically lowers and engages to ensure maximum traction and driveability. It only takes about 15 seconds from start to finish, so you don’t waste time,” he noted.
Of course, drive axles produce friction and rolling resistance – which increases the amount of fuel you have to use. By disengaging and raising the axle when you don’t need it, you can reduce your fuel consumption up to 4% on a return trip with the axle lifted.
Transmission
Our test truck was equipped with I-Shift, a 12-speed automatic gearbox. This is one of my favourite transmissions because it does a great job. Based on a "classic" unsynchronised manual gearbox, the I-Shift’s electronic control unit manages the clutch and shifts. After evaluating information about speed, weight, road grade and torque demand, it applies extreme precision to every shift. The system also communicates with the engine, allowing it to adjust the revs and brakes. It does a superb job; far better than any truck driver could do (although hardened truck drivers will no doubt argue this point with me). Those drivers who do want to change the gears manually can do so via a button on the gearstick. I didn’t ever feel the need to do this on my test drive; the I-Shift behaved faultlessly.
Safety
Our test truck featured the full safety pack, meaning it incorporated Forward Collision Warning with Emergency Brake, Lane Assist and VDS with Active Lane-Keeping Support (so, it steers you back into the lane and, in the event of a skid, it will also automatically counter steer to counteract the skid). I really enjoyed this feature because – unlike some other vehicles I’ve driven – the FH doesn’t jerk violently back into its lane (which can give you a bit of a fright). Instead, it starts the intervention as soon as it thinks you will need it; it doesn’t leave the manoeuvre too late. So, it pulls you back into the lane with determination – but gently. Which is nice.
Our FH440 also featured Electronic Stability Control, Lane Change Support (which picks up vehicles in your blind spot and emits a loud hooter; it sounds just like a motorist hooting loudly and angrily at you!) and Driver Alert Support (which, as mentioned before, monitors erratic driver behaviour). All air-suspended tractors feature this full safety pack, which is terrific for road safety in South Africa.
Other safety features include a skylight that doubles as an escape hatch, night mode (drivers have the option of switching off all unnecessary dashboard backlights at the press of a button) and a front underrun protection system.
Verdict
The standard version of the FH440 (with rear air suspension, a retarder, the Globetrotter cab and Tandem Axle Lift) costs R2 173 090. The warranty is 12 months bumper to bumper (unlimited km) with an extended three-year/600 000km driveline warranty. Both the price and the warranty are in line with competitor products. If you’re looking for a safe and fuel-efficient truck that drivers will enjoy, the FH440 is a sure bet.
