Volvo tailors new trucks to Stuart Nicol Transport’s needs

Lanarkshire-based Stuart Nicol Transport has continued its long-standing relationship with Volvo Trucks by placing an order for four new FH Aero tractor units featuring an array of specifications. By leveraging the breadth of range offered by Volvo, the customer has tailored its axle configurations, power outputs, cab sizes and interior specifications to suit particular use cases and driver preferences.

The order includes three Globetrotter XL cabs and one top-of-the-range Globetrotter XXL cab, turbo compound technology, full air suspension and lightweight pusher, twin tag and tag axles.

The first truck to arrive – a Volvo FH Aero 460 Globetrotter XL 6x2 tractor unit featuring I- Save tech – is already hard at work and is expected to clock up to 300,000km annually, operating seven days a week.

Stuart Nicol’s Volvo FH Aeros will each be powered by Euro-6 compliant D13 Step E engines. In addition to the turbo compound 460hp model, the business has also opted for one 540hp and two 500hp standard powertrains. All four specifications feature a 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox, which enables seamless gear changes in a fraction of a second and smooth acceleration.

Comfort has been maximised across the board, with the company’s first FH Aero setting the standard for the remaining order thanks to a Drive+ package. This sees the truck’s cab fitted with leather upholstery, dual armrests on both the driver and passenger seats and adjustable steering wheel with neck tilt plus fully electronic air conditioning with carbon filter and sun, mist air quality sensors.

Additional efficiency gains are unlocked on the initial tractor unit via Volvo’s Camera Monitoring System (CMS). Replacing traditional exterior mirrors, the CMS increases the driver’s field of view and, when driving with a trailer, deploys auto-panning functionality to follow the rear of the trailer as it turns. The technology also performs strongly in rainy and dark conditions, direct sunlight and even when driving in tunnels.