To study real driving and other possibilities, a Volvo FMX 520 truck with an 8x8 wheel formula and an engine that meets Euro-3 eco-standards with a minimum of electronics was brought to Poland.
An armored version of the Volvo FMX truck was accidentally spotted near Warsaw by an expert from 40ton.net . Thus, for the first time, it became possible to photograph the new generation military vehicle in detail.
Unfortunately, the expert was not allowed to take photos inside the cabin. However, he was not banned from taking exterior photos of the armored FMX 8x8, which he took advantage of.
At first, he was struck by the sound, “which was completely different from any modern civilian truck“. The author says that next to the cabin of such a truck you have the feeling that “you are standing next to a locomotive“.
A 13-liter turbodiesel with a power of 520 hp is built into the engine compartment. with very simple equipment for the Euro-3 format, a simple exhaust scheme and a high exhaust system tip.
The powertrain does not use either a manual gearbox or a specialized hydraulic transmission. Instead, the Volvo Defense brand retains the 12-speed automatic transmission, well known from European roads.
The driver has significantly more limited visibility compared to the lighter, but much richer in electronics civilian version of the FMX 8x8. Here, the armor on the sides, doors and glass prevails, and the windows are much smaller in area.
Among the elements of military specificity, the author highlights the mechanical suspension of all eight wheels, based on springs, and the reinforced frame. An interesting feature of the military version are the tires of size 395/85 R20, single on all wheels.
They are connected to a central pressure control system and allow movement to continue even after loss of pressure. As for the body, there is a hydraulic clamp there, designed for transporting exchange containers, typical of NATO logistics.