That looks the absolute dog’s doesn’t it, I mean…
That looks good, doesn’t it?
The Volvo FH with I-Save is massively improved.
So we decided to let our customer MDF Transport give it a try.
We run a fleet of 22 Volvo trucks and we run around about 55 trailers
in various shapes and sizes: extendable trailers, low loaders
and stepframe trailers, to do specialist transport.
Obviously, working in this area with our backs against the coast,
we’re working in a 180-degree area rather than a 360-degree area.
Having the right truck with the right power and to be able to get
good fuel consumption starting from here is very important.
Good. So we finally got the new truck here.
- Shall we have a look at it? - Yeah, looks good.
- Does, doesn’t it?
It's got a new driveline fitted to it.
So, we've got the latest turbo compound engine.
We’ve also got the new safety features as well.
Yeah, is that what the new side scan is?
Yes, SCAS, Side Collision Avoidance Support.
And in terms of aerodynamics, we've also closed up all the gaps
so that improves the airflow again.
So again, it'll have an impact on the improved fuel consumption.
So the test will last for six months.
This truck will do around about 750 kilometers per day,
on a mixture of single carriageways, dual carriageways,
various different of speeds, quite often at full weight.
How does it feel? It feels.. Well, it feels comfortable, yes.
It feels homely.
I think we should give it a run and see how it is.
I love the display. I was having the look there
just before we left, and it does pull well,
it does pull well, from what I’ve seen so far.
It's quiet as well, isn’t it? Really quiet.
First impressions, it's very promising.
Obviously today is the first day that the truck's been delivered.
So it'll go to work tonight and then, hopefully, we'll get some great feedback
in the next few weeks.
I'll take up to North Yorkshire where I do a changeover from
a boy who comes down from the central part of Scotland
and a third driver will take it up to Aberdeen.
He starts at six o'clock and he'll work that truck through to six o'clock
the following morning.
It is a changing route and the roads aren't the best.
Most people would hate it, but I love it.
It's a long night. But you know what?
I'd much rather be doing this than you know, delivery here, delivery there
and going all over the place.
I much rather just leave, off you go, four and a half hours
and then straight back.
I know exactly what I’m doing every day.
Get the tunes going.
So we’re back today at MDF Transport.
The truck's been in for a couple of months now, so we're going to
review the figures with Mark and see just how well the truck’s done
over the last few months.
- So we've got the reference truck, which we got, plus the new truck.
- Yes. - And then as you can see,
if you look at all the numbers for each of the different weeks,
overall we've got an improvement on fuel of five percent.
- Wow.
- How does that sound? - Wow, impressive, isn’t it?
We had a good feeling about this truck, but to get to see them figures in
black and white with Martin today,
savings between five and six percent on fuel,
which is incredible. Really exciting.
And especially with the cost of fuel, at the moment,
it's doubly important and a good feeling.
Exciting.
It’s a brilliant drive.
It’s the easiest truck I’ve ever driven.
The gear... But I've noticed it’s actually quicker changes.
I noticed it straight away.
And when you need the power, it's there.
But likewise, if you're going for the fuel
it'll really dig in deep on the hills. It'll keep you in top gear...
- It holds in top gear a lot longer doesn’t it?
- Yeah, it does, yeah.
I mean, short story: Do I have to give it back?
- At some point I'm afraid, yes. - You’ve outdone yourself with this one.
I mean, I've been driving lorries only six years
but already seeing the progression culminating in this thing.
You've really done a good job with this.
What you produce when you’re operating a transport company,
is hundreds of things.
The truck you run, how you conduct yourself...
Our customers expect us to have the best equipment.
Ehm... Are you still filming?
It gives me pleasure…
It gives me pleasure, It gives me a buzz,
To buy the best spec truck for the guys who work hard
That's important.