Volvo FL

The Volvo FL is Volvo's smallest truck and is suitable for local and regional distribution operations, refuse collection, construction truck or small format tractor. The Volvo FL has been built since the summer of 1985 in a variety of different models of different weight ratings.

A new FL range was introduced in 2013.

Volvo had lost much of its global market share in the medium weight segment by the 1970s and thus felt compelled to develop an entire new range of trucks to regain competitiveness.

"FL" stands for "Forward Cab" and "Low-level Cab". The FL6 and the larger FL7 and FL10 appeared in the summer of 1985. In 1986 the smaller FL4 also appeared, with a 4 litre TD41 turbodiesel engine.

Beginning in 1995 some of the FL6 models were equipped with the D6A250 engine, which utilized a turbocharger as well as a supercharger. This allowed for an unusually high power-to-weight ratio and plentiful low-end torque. Volvo's larger D7A engine, as fitted to the FL7, could have been easily made to produce the same power but was considerably heavier as it was the same size as the larger 10-litre D10.

The FL4 and FL6 have a cabin 2.3 m (7.5 ft) wide, to allow for city use. The FL7 and FL10's cabins are 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide. The heavier FL7 and FL10 was available in a variety of configurations, ranging from 4x2 to 8x6. In 1997 the Volvo FLC arrived, a lighter model rated for 7.5 tonnes (16,500 lb) rather than the 10 t (22,000 lb) of the regular FL. The FLC has Volvo's D4A 3989 cc turbodiesel with 135 PS (99 kW), a five-speed manual, and an air sprung rear axle.

For North America, a version called the FE6 was introduced in 1986. There was also a heavier duty 7-litre version called the FE7 - this combines the narrow FL6 cabin with the engine of the FL7. Aside from Volvo's own engines, Caterpillar's 6.6 litre 3116 engine was also offered at a lower price. In 1990 the FE6/FE7 was gradually replaced by the FE42. This sturdy model used the Swedish-built FL/FE cab placed atop the chassis of the 1988 medium bonneted Volvo WG range. The name stood for "Forward control", "Economy", 4x2 configuration. Later the 6x4 FE64 was added to the lineup. In the mid-nineties sales of the FE42/64 series began shrinking as American truck buyers gradually changed back to conventional models. A tractor version was called the FE42T. The last model year for the American range was 1998.

In 2000 the FL series received a facelift, which included a new front clip. The doors and cab structure remained mostly the same.

The Volvo FL6 is powered by Volvo’s D6B 180-250 hp, six-cylinder turbocharged intercooled diesel engine. The control system had a major update, with Volvo's TEA electronics architecture to bring it to line with the rest of its bigger cousins. Inline fuel injection pump was replaced with the EDC rotary distributor pump from Bosch with the identical horsepower; despite the loss of supercharger from the previous D6A engine. The cruise control, automatic exhaust brake and accelerator now became the so-called fly by wire as standard. Full integration with the rest of the vehicle system such as Electronic Suspension Control and ABS made it much more efficient and user friendly.

...
Wikipedia