Four-year-old Sophie tests an 18-tonne Volvo truck
An unpredictable child and a remote-controlled 18-tonne truck. In Volvo Trucks' latest film ”Look who's driving” four-year-old Sophie exposes the Volvo FMX to the toughest challenge yet in the Live Test series. The film is a follow-up to previous global successes in the series, such as The Epic Split and The Hamster Stunt.
Volvo Trucks' newest Live Test, “Look who’s driving”, sees four-year-old Sophie drive an 18-tonne Volvo FMX through a construction area using a remote control. The truck has been given several new functions over the year, and the objective of the test is to show how much it can tolerate and how easily it copes in the most demanding environments.
"To show what the truck can do, we want to give it a real challenge. What test driver is more reckless than an unpredictable four-year-old?" asks Ricard Fritz, Vice President Volvo Trucks Brand.
360-degree roll
Sophie steers the truck on the construction area in the film, and the truck takes unpredicted ways: Among others, the truck ends up climbing a steep, soft slope, before rolling all the way down in a full 360-degree roll.
"The test demonstrates beyond question the ability of the truck to cope with the most extreme environments. To help it do so, it has functions such as the new, Automatic Traction Control, keeping it going even on severely sloping and soft surfaces. They also demonstrate its total strength with an unbeatable cabin design with sturdy front corners and a reinforced sub-frame" says Gunnar Eliasson, Launch Manager at Volvo Trucks.
The film is the latest in the Volvo Trucks Live Test series, with previous global successes including The Epic Split and The Hamster Stunt.
You can see how the truck copes in the test “Look who’s driving” on Volvo Trucks' YouTube channel.
The following functions were tested in the film:
– Automatic Traction Control – automatic all-wheel drive, activated when needed. The result is better traction, less wear and tear and lower fuel consumption
– Sturdy Front Corner – bumpers made of 3 millimetre thick high grade steel as an extension of the chassis.
– Skid Plate – protects the truck from loose objects, e.g. when driving on gravel or stony areas. The 3 millimetre thick steel Skid Plate is built to withstand at least 5 tonnes of pressure.
– Volvo FMX has a ground clearance of 30 cm, meaning that vital parts such as the suspension and brake discs aren't at risk of damage when running on rough ground.
– Body in white – the unique "body in white" cabin design helps protect the driver from injury, including if the truck turns on its side.
– Waterproof – Volvo FMX is built to work in the toughest conditions, including water. All sensitive parts are sealed and placed to keep dirt and water out.
Truck facts
Truck: Volvo FMX 8x6 All Wheel Drive
Horsepower: 540
Specification: Day Cab, Dumper Body, I-Shift, Chassis Extra High
See the new Live Test "Look who’s driving" here
Link to high-resolution images
See how the new Volvo FMX functions are tested in the film here
03 December 2015
For further information, please contact:
Ida Mattsson, Volvo Trucks Media Relations. Phone: +46 31 323 63 42,
e-mail: ida.mattsson@volvo.com
For broadcast-quality videos supporting this press release and more, please visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvotrucks
Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film gallery at http://images.volvotrucks.com
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,200 dealers and workshops in more than 120 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the globe. In 2014, more than 117,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The Group also provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo´s work is based on the core values quality, safety and environmental care.
