Volvo ‘Live Test’ video: The Flying Passenger

Adding to its series of viral promotional videos, Volvo Trucks is back with yet another Live Test. During the “breath-taking” ride, a Volvo FH tows a paraglider up a steep mountain road and under the narrow opening of an overhanging bridge.

The tight space calls for high precision driving at a constant cruising speed without any room for error, according to Volvo. The test was set up to demonstrate Volvo Trucks' unique powertrain, fitted with I-Shift Dual Clutch, enabling excellent performance whilst at the same time considerably lowering fuel consumption.

"Driving on high gears and securing seamless gear shifting is an important factor for fuel efficiency. The I-Shift Dual Clutch enables smooth driving whilst staying in high gears and low revs," says Staffan Wendeberg, Product Manager FH and Long Haul at Volvo Trucks.

Bonus: Meet the driver and the pilot of the ‘The Flying Passenger'

In addition the unique gearbox has an important impact on productivity, the company notes. I-Shift Dual Clutch provides power shift gear changes that ensure the engine does not lose any torque when changing gears under tough conditions.

"Meeting deadlines and keeping fuel consumption low, even when driving uphill and on winding roads, are key elements to success for many of our customers. This test is the perfect way to challenge our recently updated powertrain. ‘The Flying Passenger' illustrates in a very concrete and visual way what Volvo Trucks' performance and driveability is all about" says Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks.

‘The Flying Passenger' is the latest instalment in Volvo Trucks' Live Test series. Previous global successes include ‘The Epic Split', ‘The Hamster Stunt' and ‘Look Who's Driving'. All in all, the Live Test series has been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.

The challenge was shot in the Dinaric Alps in Croatia on closed-off roads and under strict safety supervision.