The new six cylinder D17 engine from Volvo is offered in three horsepower ratings, 600hp, 700hp and 780hp in Europe. PowerTorque’s European Correspondent, Will Shiers, writes he heard a rumour that the top rating was supposed to be 800hp, but that there were issues getting the I-Shift transmission to cope with the additional power and torque.

Turning the new key fob (push-button starting should arrive in 2025) and 17 litres sprang into life. It was a refreshing change for me to hear a combustion engine on a press trip these days! Thessaloniki’s rush-hour traffic was bad, and I was thankful for the excellent visibility awarded by the sloping side windows.

I have long since admired the FH’s slim mirrors, which result in minimal blind spots on the approach to roundabouts and junctions. Thanks to CMS, things have improved yet again.

The screen attached to the driver’s A-pillar is just 30.5cm tall, enhancing visibility further still, and there’s a 38cm screen on the passenger side. CMS felt perfectly natural to use, and I barely gave the system a second thought on the drive.

As I left the city I headed down the coast, so the traffic thinned out.

Image: Will Shiers

Now the sensible thing to have done would have been to spend the next few hours using the new and improved I-See function, which takes full lateral control of the vehicle. It uses map data to read the road ahead, determining the truck’s perfect speed. It even recognises and reacts to temporary speed limit signs.

But I had different plans! We were running at just 36 tonnes, and with 22hp per tonne, I intended to enjoy myself. Ignoring everything I had ever been told about fuel-efficient driving I stamped the gas pedal to floor and start grinning ear-to-ear! I even found myself slowing down on the approach to hills, purely so I could accelerate hard on the inclines.

My fun was temporarily ruined when I noticed the driver monitoring display, which clearly disliked my driving style. It reminded me of the disapproving look I get from the wife whenever I pour myself another beer. But unlike her, this was easily turned off and ignored.

While the new FH16’s feisty performance didn’t come as a surprise, what I wasn’t expecting was an obvious improvement to I-Shift. Volvo has clearly tweaked the software to cope with 3,800Nm of torque, and it’s even more refined than usual.

Image: Will Shiers

Despite my new reckless driving style, the FH16 took everything in its stride. The Volvo Dynamic Steering coped admirably with some rough Greek road surfaces, and potholes were tackled with unerring grace.

Towards the end of the journey, I decided it was time to act my age, so engaged I-See and let the truck take control. I also had a play with Pilot Assist, which helped to steer the vehicle.

It has been developed from Lane Keeping Assist, which used to alert you if the truck strayed out of its lane. Only now it has been adapted to automatically keep you within the lane lines.

Volvo stresses that it’s a driver support system, and is in no way designed to take control away from the driver, who needs to remain in the seat with hands on the steering wheel at all times. For this reason, sensors in the steering wheel continually monitor for human interaction, and the system reacts accordingly if it detects a lack of input.

Image: Will Shiers

After 45 seconds of inaction, and plenty of audible warnings, it applies the brakes and brings the truck to a controlled stop. And now for the really clever part, fearing a medical emergency it then automatically illuminates the interior lights and unlocks the cab doors in the hope that a passing motorist will come to the driver’s assistance.

As you’d expect from a safety-orientated marque like Volvo, there are numerous other potential life-saving aids, such as Side Collision Avoidance, which uses radar sensors at the side of the truck to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.