Road Tests: Volvo FH16 610

We expected great things of Volvo’s FH16 610’ maybe even the ability to move mountains. What we didn’t expect was for it to remove entire ranges from the map. Anyone who knows the final reaches of the M6 from Burton-in-Kendal services to Carlisle will appreciate that there appear to be a few hills in the way. Some trucks take this section in their stride, managing it without a downshift. But the FH16 610, however, is the first contender to do it without the speedo moving below its limited speed. We could have easily negotiated Kiln Pit and Castleside hills in high range if we hadn’t been baulked by a couple of boulder-carrying artics, despite stopping for two minutes to give them a chance to get out of the way before Castleside. And the performance of the 16-litre engine is matched by the power of the Volvo Engine Brake. On that run over Shap, with the cruise control set at 90km/h, the computer allowed us exactly 7km/h over-run on the long descents- no more, no less – keeping us exactly at the speed limit. Service brakes were excellent, as was the handling, and there were no noticeable ill effects from the wide tyres on the uprated steer axle, apart form a harder-than-ideal ride on poor surfaces. The Volvo’s Michelin steer tyres were equipped with spray suppression ridges on the sidewalls and these were certainly well tested in the monsoon we drove through over Shap. Only the drivers following us could vouch for their effectiveness, but no-one complained. Our test of the FH16 was particularly interesting as it presented a still rare chance to evaluate the SP stability and roll-over control in the real world, rather than in the closed confines of a proving ground. The verdict? It certainly works, but we felt it was calibrated to deal with a worst case scenario, like pulling a tanker or a load of hanging meat. But our bog standard curtainsider has a relatively low centre of gravity. As a result ESP tended to interrupt our process out of a roundabout, even at fairly modest speeds, just when we were trying to power away smoothly. This was a distraction, to say the least, and did nothing to help us drive smoothly for economy.

You’d expect a flagship tractor to boast an interior that befits its status, and the FH16 doesn’t disappoint. Based on the top-spec, high-roof Globetrotter XL cab, the FH16 has a few unique features. This is the nearest Volvo gets to a flat floor. Thanks to a slight engine bump and the fixed gear lever, it isn’t quite as easy to move around in as some competitors, but it’s acceptable. The interior trim in grey and terracotta is unique to the FH16, as are the chrome monogrammed exterior door handles. The copper trim strip across the dash may be a matter of taste, but it isn’t to ours. The driver’s seat deserves a road test to itself. Briefly, the leather-trimmed throne features electronic adjustment for cushion angle and length; height; two separate backrest angles; three lumbar supports; and backrest bolster width. Naturally it has an arm rest and is heated, but it’s also air-cooled. Fans can either blow air through the seat perforations or suck it out (feel free to insert your own joke here). The only quibble is that air isn’t refrigerated but you can’t have it all. The passenger, by way of contrast, whose only trick is to fold up for better access. A wide array of switches includes a few less familiar items. Sensibly, the switch nearest the door is for the worklight, while others control cab tilt lock, fuel bleed and drain and hill hold (part of the ESP package). More conventionally, others include a diff-lock, traction control cancel, cab heat and interior lighting. Volvo has paid a great attention to driver and vehicle security. As well as the standard smoke alarm in the bunk area, the dash has switches for a panic alarm and an SOS button which uses the Dynafleet GSM phone link to summon help. There’s also an intruder alarm and a steel safe. Three column stalks include lighting and cruise control on the left and wipers and Drivers Information Display on the right. The third, smaller stalk, also on the right, is dedicated to engine braking, with automatic and three stages of manual control. As befits a flagship, the FH16 has the full Dynafleet package, including colour sat-nav on the pop-up screen and a fully integrated phone, with controls on the steering wheel and speaker and microphone built into the seat. Above the screen are the radio/CD player (with display on the dash) and tachograph. More switches manage the electric roof hatch, reverse bleep cancel and that all important Globetrotter XL Headboard light. The usual interior sun visors have fold-out ends, but only the driver gets a side visor. Big mirrors give excellent rear visibility, but they also create a major blindspot in the driver’s one o’clock position. Never mind not seeing motorcycles; you could lose a large van behind them. Storage in the front of the cab includes three lockers above the screen and a large drawer and small table, both pulling out from under the centre of the bunk. A huge illuminated recess, at least A3-sized, lives below the central dash area; other useful spots include a lidded bin behind the gear lever. The dash caters for the thirsty with two cupholders and a holder large enough for a two-litre bottle. A 12V DIN socket and a 24V cigar lighter provide electrical power. Without Volvo’s fuel flow meter, the flat area on top of the dash would be just large enough for a TV, and a nearby oddments tray is just right for trouser pocket contents. That rather expensive flow meter, incidentally, was faulty by the one built into the trip counter proved to be commendably accurate: it was less than a litre adrift after a 750km test. Moving to the sleeping accommodation, both bunks boast interior sprung mattresses with matching undersheets. Nets and lights at each end with a central control panel for lighting and heating mean you can sleep either way. The three-position top bunk still leaves access to the rear lockers which is just as well, as they contained some of the most important bits of the Volvo’s inventory behind their roller fronts. One includes a fridge; the other houses the Samsung microwave. A quick cookery tip: as it’s only rated at 500W, add about 30% to the time quoted for a 650W oven and your Ginster’s peppered steak slice will be done to a turn. The only question is how the glass turntable will rattle on rough roads if not returned to its protective packet.