Trucks come in different sizes, configurations, and load capacities. There are two companies that have come out with trucks so powerful that they could put even super cars to shame. These two companies are Scania and Volvo, and they have been fighting for the title of the most powerful truck in the world as well as the best truck Sweden.
The two companies have been producing trucks for a long time, but the battle intensified in 2009 when Volvo claimed the title when it released the widely acclaimed FH16 700 that could produce 700 horsepower. Scania immediately hit back with the R730, a truck that is said to produce 730 horsepower. Not long after, Volvo took back the title with the release of the FH16 750, which produced 750 horsepower.
The Scania R730
Scania Aktiebolag, or as it’s commonly known Scania, was founded in 1891 in Sodertalje, Sweden. It developed its first truck in 1902, when an engineer named Gustaf Erikson created one that had a gearbox with two speeds and an engine powered by gasoline. Then in 1907 they developed a three-ton truck that won the Swedish Royal Automobile Club award in 1909. The company encountered financial problems along the way before it was saved by World War I as the Swedish Army started ordering practically the company’s entire output.
In 1999, Volvo attempted to gain control of the company by buying a 49.3 percent stake in Scania. At that time, Volvo was financially powerful after it sold its car division to the Ford Motor Company. The EU feared that the sale would create a monopoly in the Scandinavian countries, so it blocked the deal. Volvo then sold its share to the German automotive company called Volkswagen AG.
The German truck manufacturer MAN SE, attempted to take over Scania in 2006. The attempt failed, though MAN SE still has a 17 percent stake in the company. Volkswagen eventually upped its share in Scania to 70.94 percent.
In 2004, Scania started to manufacture and distribute the R-series. This has already won the International Truck of the Year award in 2005 and 2010. The R-series is available in both truck and rigid types, and has been optimised for long haulage. Buyers can also choose the chassis height and suspension. Its styling is distinctive and the generous cab comfort has earned for it high praise from the trucking world.
The most powerful truck in the R-series is the R730. It is one of the most powerful production trucks in the world as it features a 16.4 liter DC 16 turbo diesel V8 engine. This engine can produce 730 horsepower at 1,900 rpm.
The Volvo FH16 750
Volvo Trucks was established in 1928, a year after Volvo had released its first automobiles in 1927. The first Volvo truck was the LV Series 1. It featured a 2.0-liter, 4 cylinder engine that produced 28 horsepower. It’s market was greatly expanded by its purchase of the White Autocar Western Star product program.
After General Motors closed down its truck manufacturing division in 1986, the Volvo White Truck Corporation took over its operations. The new company now known as the Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation was based in Greensboro in North Carolina. In 1997, the Volvo White GMC name was dissolved and later on in 2000 autocar products were also discontinued. All of their trucks were thereafter badged as Volvo.
Volvo then purchased the Renault Vehicules Industriels in 2000 which made them the second largest truck manufacturer in the world after Daimler AG.
In 1993 Volvo started producing the FH truck series, FH stands for Forward and High, after the forward control and high cab features of the truck. The truck is full of gadgets to ensure the the comfort of the driver. Its windscreen wipers are controlled by rain sensors, cornering lights have been installed for better visibility, it has USB and MP3 inputs for all of the drivers musical needs, and the passenger seat is allowed to swivel. It also has an advanced radar cruise control, a Driver Alert System that monitors a driver’s responses as well as his time behind the wheel, a Lane Keeping Support that alerts the driver during lane changes, and a Lane Change Support that tells the driver when there is another vehicle in a blind spot of the truck. To top it all off the D16 engine produces 750 horsepower and torque power of 3550 N-m.