VOLVO FH16 OR VOLVO OPEN 70 – WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO GO ROUND THE WORLD IN ?
12 October 2005 - Volvo Truck Ltd

It is just one month until the start of one of the world’s ultimate sporting events - the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006.

A gruelling round the world yacht race, covering a total distance of approximately 31,000 nautical miles in 8 months over 9 Legs and visiting 11 ports in five continents, each boat competing in the Volvo Ocean Race needs to be at the leading edge of safety and performance.

This year, a totally new generation of boats – the Volvo Open 70 – will take part in the Volvo Ocean Race. So called because they are 70.5 ft in length (21.5m), each boat has been designed and built to the individual specifications of the seven teams taking part, within strict parameters set out in the new ''Volvo 70 Rules''.

The largest member of the Volvo Group of companies, Volvo Trucks is no stranger itself to developing products at the leading edge of performance and safety. The flagship of the range in many Volvo Truck markets around the world, the Volvo FH16 is built to tackle the toughest transport assignments and is the most powerful, and safe model ever made by Volvo Trucks.

When specified with the Globetrotter cab, the Volvo FH16 is probably the most comfortable truck ever made by Volvo too. But when it comes to circumnavigating the globe, which would you choose – a Volvo Open 70 racing yacht or a Volvo FH16 truck ?

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide. . .

Dimensions

Depending in which country it operates, the Volvo FH16 can be found in combinations of up to 18.75m long in the EU, although lengths of 25.25m is permitted in Sweden and Finland. An awesome sight on the open road, the scale of the Volvo Open 70 mono hull race boats on the open seas is equally impressive.

With an overall length of 21.5 metres and a beam (the nautical equivalent of width) of 4.7 – 5.7 metres, the mast height towers 31.5 metres above the water level. Below the waterline, the draught – that is to say the minimum depth of water the boat needs to the foot of the keel - is 4.5m. Overall, that’s 36 metres from the bulb to the top of the mast, equivalent to an 11 or 12 floor apartment building.

Payload

Well within its design capabilities even when transporting Gross Combination Weights of up to 60 tonnes, the Volvo FH16 beats the Volvo Open 70 in terms of overall payload. With a full complement of equipment, crew and provisions for even the longest leg of the race - Wellington in New Zealand to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, a distance of 6,700 nautical miles – each of the ocean going yachts will weigh in at approximately 14 tonnes.

Performance

With a 16.1 litre engine capable of outputs of up to 610 bhp and a massive peak torque of 2800Nm, the Volvo FH16 has been designed to maintain high average speeds, even in hilly terrain, when hauling loads of up to 60 tonnes in weight.

With engines for use only in emergencies and manoeuvring in port, sail power is the key for the ocean-going Open 70’s. The new boats participating in this year’s Volvo Ocean Race also have a larger sail area and are lighter than in previous races, which mean that they will be significantly faster. During tests, distances of over 500 nautical miles in 24 hours have been reached and new records are expected in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005/6.

Fuel economy

The Volvo Open 70 wins hands down on this one, harnessing the freely available natural resource of the wind as an energy source. However with fuel accounting for a significant part of the annual running costs of a vehicle, the Volvo FH16 has been designed to get the most out of every drop of fuel. Aerodynamic styling and extensive wind tunnel testing has ensured that wind drag is keep to a minimum, whilst the new D16C engine is 100kg lighter than its predecessor, yet offers 90 more horsepower.

With its high power output and immense torque, the D16C engine is an important step in the drive to improve the efficiency of long-haul transportation by road. The introduction of longer and heavier rigs within the EU requires that such trucks be able to keep up with the pace of traffic, while transport times are kept down. For the Volvo FH16, this is plain sailing!

Safety

The Volvo FH16 has set new standards in safety, with a number of safety systems available that contribute to its market-leading safety level. Active Cruise Control (ACC) utilises Doppler radar to automatically maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front, whilst ESP brake stabilisation prevents skidding and rollover in critical situations. On trucks with Volvo''s Electronic Brake System (EBS), there is also Hill Start Aid that makes it easier to move off from a standstill on an uphill gradient.

Safety is also a critical issue on the high seas, where boats are exposed to some of the most physically challenging environments found anywhere on the globe. Each boat has to be equipped with a comprehensive array of safety equipment and meet stringent guidelines for life jackets, harnesses and survival suits.

Comfort

Whilst a number of improvements have been made this year – most notably more space for smaller crew numbers - comfort is not a key priority on board a Volvo Open 70. With a crew of up to 11, conditions below deck can be at best described as cramped, with boats at sea for up to 3 weeks between stopover ports.

Inside the Volvo FH16, things are somewhat different. The spacious cab, which is available in three sizes, provides excellent working conditions with very high levels of equipment including fully adjustable steering and seating, leather upholstery, climate control and cruise control. The Globetrotter XL offers full standing height and comes with two comfortable beds or an office pack, both providing ample storage space.

Navigation and Communications

Thanks to advanced on board navigation and communications systems, the precise location of each boat is always known and crew members are in regular contact by both radio and video link with their respective team control centres and Volvo Ocean Race headquarters in Fareham, near Southampton.

Like every truck in the Volvo range, the Volvo FH16 can be fitted with a range of transport information systems to help keep track of deliveries, vehicles and drivers. Based on the latest digital, wireless communication technologies, the integrated systems are available in several designs and with a high level of customisation.

In Europe, Dynafleet is the market’s only turnkey transport information system, whilst in the US, a unique satellite-based communications system - Volvo Link – is offered as well as Volvo Trip Manager, a software program that tracks and reports on the performance of vehicles in a fleet.

So which do you choose – the Volvo FH16 or a Volvo Open 70 yacht ?

If you want total performance on land in the shape of the one world’s safest, most powerful and most comfortable means of transporting heavy loads quickly and efficiently, backed by the support infrastructure of a leading global transport group, then the Volvo FH16 is the one for you.

On the other hand, if you want courage and adrenaline, passion and performance, technology and teamwork in one of the world’s ultimate sporting challenges, then the place for you to be is on board one of the seven boats in the 2005/6 Volvo Ocean Race !

www.volvo.com

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