Volvo looks to make inroads in construction market with announcement of a heavier duty version of its FM chassis
By Gary Worrall | April 21, 2010
Hot on the heels of the debut of the new FM chassis in March, Volvo is looking to make inroads in the construction market with the announcement of a heavier duty version.
Unveiled in Europe this week, the FMX is designed specifically as a tipper and for similar construction work, with a reinforced front bumper, bull bar and skid plate to protect the engine sump.
Other items include a ladder and grab handle on the day cab for load inspections, a reinforced tow point and a load sensor for the re-mapped I-Shift transmission to provide weight data for improved gearshifts and smoother take-offs.
A narrower, but stronger, mirror arm has also been introduced to withstand heavier impacts than standard, while reducing driver blind spots.
With the FMX only just announced in Europe, there is no word if the modification will become standard on all Australian models.
A weak point is the restricted vision from the left hand door mirror cluster, particularly at T-intersections.
Raised steel fuel tanks raise the vehicle’s ground clearance and offer greater impact protection despite weighing more than alloy tanks.
The air intake is raised above the cab roof to allow the engine to breathe cleaner air.
Inside, Volvo has gone with removable rubber floor mats fitted with raised sides to trap dirt and mud for easier cleaning.
There are three interior trims, including a vinyl option covering the door trims and seat facings.
Power for the FMX comes from either a D11 11-litre engine with outputs ranging between 330 and 450 horsepower or the bigger D13 13-litre motor, which ranges from 380 to 500 horsepower. The Volvo Engine Brake Plus is rated at 500hp.
With the new FM due to arrive in Australia in September, it remains to be seen if Volvo will also bring the FMX and, if it does, how far behind the FM the tipper version will be in hitting the showrooms.
Given the rugged nature of northern European construction sites, including snow and ice as well as the usual distractions of rock walls, excavators broken ground, the FMX has plenty of potential for Australian applications, provided a local cooling package is available to deal with summer temperatures.