FS10

When the F7 was superseded by the FL7/FL10, it meant that the new truck series could not be used everywhere on the Swiss road network. The truck cab of the new FL7/FL10 had a width of nearly 250 cm, while some Swiss roads, in those days, often only permitted trucks with a maximum width of 230 cm.

Combining the major components
Volvo is a global company so it was out of the question to leave the Swiss transport companies without the option of an ultra-modern Volvo truck, which was legal throughout the Swiss road network. This was solved in a typically flexible way by combining major components from several different Volvo 'global' truck models.

The most obvious choice was the FL6 cab, as this was the only cab, which did fit into the limited-width Swiss regulations. It was modified slightly but in general it fitted even the unique Swiss truck quite well.

Putting it all together as the FS10
The chassis, on the other hand, was based on the FL10 truck, but modified with narrow axles to comply with the special national legislation. The engine was the 10-litre Volvo diesel truck engine so the designation of the new truck became 'FS10' (F truck for Switzerland with 10-litre engine). The choice of the FL10 chassis was of course very opportune, because this truck already offered, in its standard model, the option of two, three and four-axle chassis, alternatives that were necessary for Switzerland where all these axle configurations have natural areas of use.

The specification was rounded off with special features for the very demanding Swiss landscape, e.g. a 'Telma' retarder, a necessary safety precaution for trucks being used in the very hilly conditions in this mountainous country.