Aussie Volvo cab for Europe

The deeper Volvo FH developed here in Australia to maximise the amount of cab interior space and still fit into the 26 metre B-double dimension rules looks set to be introduced into selected European markets.

Brian Weatherley’s Big Lorry Blog from the UK reports rumours Volvo is going to start selling the Globetrotter XXL cab in Norway in 2009. The XXL Globetrotter is 300 mm longer than cab currently sold in Europe where vehicle length restrictions at 16.5 metres for a semi restrict cab depth.

The design for the XXL was developed by the Australian Volvo engineers utilising side panels from the, no longer available, NH conventional cab. A new roof was developed to suit the new cab and was first unveiled by Volvo at the 2006 Trucks in Action show in Warrigal, Victoria.

“To start with there will be 30, all FH16’s, the cabs are being built week 11 2009 at Umea,” Weatherley quotes his source in his report. Umea is the Swedish truck maker’s cab plant where all XXL cabs are built (before being shipped here to be trimmed locally).

The source is also quoted by Weatherley as suggesting a 700 hp 16 litre engine is not too far away. In fact, he reckons it’s not a matter of if but when.

Check out the story at the BigLorry Blog