The Volvo FH16 780 is the new power leader in Australia’s big interstate truck market. The ‘780’ in the name refers to its horsepower rating, meaning this truck takes over from the Scania 770 V8 as the most powerful Big Banger in the country.
But there is more to this truck than just brawn. It’s a classy, comfortable and very well put together truck that is well suited to heavy hauling in this country.
We got the opportunity to test it out towing three loaded trailers in WA recently and we came away impressed.
Who’s it for?
The Volvo 780 is suited to a number of applications, and the first that springs to mind is interstate work hauling B-doubles or AB-triples. However, it could be used for anything that requires heavy haulage.
Volvo suggests any heavy transport assignments, including forestry and timber transportation, mining and quarry transportation and multi-trailer line haul.
Powertrain
The 780 is powered by Volvo’s D17 engine, with 780hp and 3800Nm of torque, making the Volvo FH16 hard to beat.
The D17 is available with power ratings from 600hp to this 780hp option, and with torque ratings from 3000Nm up.
Volvo’s FH16 comes with its I-Shift transmission, an automated gearbox with smart features such as auto hold, optional crawler gears and terrain brakes. Volvo says its smart features are designed to make driving easier, safer, more efficient and more comfortable.
The FH16 with the D17 is available in 6×4 or 8×4, with dual front axles as a prime mover or as an 8×4 rigid truck, again with dual front axles for applications such as concrete agitators.
Tech & Safety
Volvo has always been big on safety and the new 780 is no exception. Safety is part of the Volvo DNA and, as such, Volvo recently added or updated no less than nine safety features in its trucks – including the FH16.
“We’re introducing additional safety systems that can enhance the driver’s capabilities, helping to protect them and the people they share the road with. By utilising the latest technical advances, we can predict potential collisions and help prevent them from happening,” said Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.
Some of the new and updated features include Front Short-Range Assist which helps to reduce collisions by alerting the driver when a pedestrian or cyclist is detected in the risk area at the front of the truck. It’s designed to help increase safety for all road users, we’re told.
Also new is Side Collision Avoidance Support which is designed to alleviate the risk of collisions when the truck turns or changes lanes by monitoring the areas at the sides of the vehicle and warning the driver when other road users are in them. By offering Side Collision Avoidance Support on both sides of the truck and also addressing lane change accidents, this feature exceeds upcoming regulatory requirements.
There is also a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Driver Alert Support and Intelligent Speed Assist, which spots speed limit signs and LED headlights with adaptive high beam.
Obviously, the big Volvo also gets all the regular safety features that we have come to expect from European trucks, and it all combines to make the Volvo FH16 780 one of the safest trucks on the road.
On the Road
We were fortunate to get a real-world drive of the Volvo 780 where it will be right at home – in WA hauling a triple road train east out of Geraldton.
Our test truck was a WA-specific spec with load-sharing twin-steer front-end in an 8×4 configuration. We were towing an AB-Triple ‘grain train’ trailer set which is a typical setup for grain work in the West.
The Volvo prime mover was rated at 150 tonnes and our weighbridge docket read 106.8 tonnes, so this was going to be a really good test for the new 780.
The first thing I noted from the 780 was the massive torque which comes on song from 1000rpm. It peaks from 1000 to 1200rpm but even at 1600 where it is dropping off a bit, there is still 3400Nm on tap.
The 780, with its three trailers, really ate up our trip out to Mount Magnet and back, a haul of about 700 kilometres. On the hills, it would lug down to around 1000rpm then, if needed, it would seamlessly slip down to 11th and march over the rise. Truly impressive.
Inside, the Volvo is all class, making the FH16 a great place to work. The engineers have done a great job with insulating the cab and it was easy to have a relaxed conversation in or listen to the recently-upgraded stereo system with only a slight rumble of the big six under the cab.
It’s very easy to get comfortable and the big wrap-around dash leaves everything close to hand. There is plenty of storage and the big 213cm mattress is a beauty.
Our trip took us about 10 hours, which included a lunch stop at the Swagman Roadhouse in Mount Magnet, and I felt quite refreshed when I stepped out of the truck.
At the end of our near-700-kilometre trip we were showing fuel usage of 87.6 litres/100kms or 1.14km/litre. On a previous test on the same route, the driver returned 1.3km/litre, which isn’t bad considering the truck was brand new and we were at 103 tonnes.
Fleet Verdict
The Volvo FH16 780 is a winner. Volvo already has runs on the board with the FH16 and with the bigger D17 engine and beefed-up I-Shift transmission, it’s only become better. It’s a great fit for our ever bigger and heavier loads and will suit many applications in the Australian road transport scene.
When production ramps up later this year at the Volvo plant in Wacol, Queensland, I’d be willing to bet that Volvo will struggle to keep up with demand for the 780.
Volvo FH 16 780 Quick Specs
- Model: FH16 780
- Engine: D17 six-cylinder turbocharged diesel enigne
- Emissions: Euro 6
- Capacity: 17.3 litres
- Max power: 780hp at 1700rpm
- Max torque: 3800 at 1000-12000rpm
- Transmission: I-Shift 12-speed
- Service intervals: Up to 100,000km or yearly
