Equipped with advanced digital convenience features. Additionally, it enhances the powertrain performance. This is the ‘Volvo FH Aero’ newly launched by Volvo Trucks in the domestic market. I experienced the Volvo FH Aero at the Volvo Trucks delivery center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do on the 5th. The FH Aero was unveiled for the world for the first time earlier this year and has landed in the Korean market just before Chuseok.
The FH Aero is the first Volvo truck to be equipped with the cutting-edge convenience feature of a camera monitoring system. I tested the camera monitoring capabilities. I boarded the driver’s seat of the FH Aero in a pitch-black, dark room where no one was present. Looking at the left A-pillar, I noticed the camera monitor system replacing the side mirrors. The camera monitoring system provided the driver with a clear view of the rear side area using infrared in the pitch-black darkness. Considering that most truck garages are located far from urban areas, this camera monitoring system can prevent potential safety accidents during early morning drives.
To verify the excellence of the camera monitoring system, a small challenge was also conducted. A small table and a mug were placed behind the driver’s seat. While looking at the monitor of the camera monitoring system, I aligned the yellow line with the top of the table, then lowered the suspension to steeply dip the tea bag into the mug. I adjusted the yellow line to match the top of the table on the monitor attached to the A-pillar, and lowered the suspension. The tea bag gracefully slipped into the mug.
The monitoring system is expected to significantly reduce the stress levels of drivers who are engaged in transportation day and night, whether early in the morning or late at night.
I conducted a driving test. The driving test course included two laps within the delivery center. In bright light, it exudes grandeur. It’s not just about the addition of the camera monitoring system. The convenience features inside the vehicle have also been subtly updated. Most large trucks have a bed in the back. The FH Aero allows for adjustment of the bed behind the driver’s seat according to its angle. Most drivers who drive long distances can adjust the bed to a comfortable angle for a nap before resting.
Additionally, the vehicle’s navigation system has been linked to the driver’s instrument panel. Long-distance drivers can focus solely on driving without needing to look around.
During the truck operation, the air spring seat can be adjusted from the strongest level 3 to the lowest level 1 according to the driver’s preference. This is a small consideration for rookie truckers who may not be accustomed to the air spring seat.
The FH Aero is equipped with a newly upgraded D17 engine. The 17-liter diesel engine, delivering a maximum output of 780 horsepower, combined with a 12-speed automatic transmission, proves to be the perfect match. Following the guidance of an accompanying staff member, I pressed the accelerator pedal very hard. The FH Aero boasts quick shifting with a fine gear ratio. Thanks to this improved powertrain, fuel efficiency has increased by over 5%.
Inside the delivery center, the road surface was uneven with potholes. The air suspension of the FH Aero effectively absorbs the shocks of the uneven road, preventing them from being transmitted into the cabin.
The FH Aero elevates the convenience features and the appeal of its powertrain, fulfilling the needs of drivers engaged in long-distance transportation.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr