Volvo FH Truck, Koenigsegg One:1, Tiff Needell. RACE

The new Volvo FH Truck gets a an I-Shift dual-clutch gearbox, so Volvo decided to pit it & Tiff Needell against the Koenigsesgg One:1 on track

It might not seem the most balanced track duel you’ll ever see; a Volvo FH Truck taking on the mighty Koenigsegg One:1 on the Knutstorp Track in Southern Sweden.

But that’s what Volvo decided would be the perfect way to demonstrate the abilities of the I-Shift Dual Clutch gearbox in its truck, and with Christina von Koenigsegg happy to tip in the Koenigsegg One:1 to let his fellow Swedes make a point, it was race on.

The idea that an eight tonne truck – even one with 540bhp – would have a cat in hell’s chance against the 1360bhp One:1 is silly, so a handicap was devised.

The race was to see if the Volvo FH and its clever gearbox (my, how things have changed since the double declutch nightmares of a few year ago) could manage a lap of the Knutstorp Track before the Koenigsegg could get round two. Which seems reasonable.

Volvo enlisted Tiff Needell to get behind the wheel of their truck and Koenigsegg put their factory test driver, Robert Serwanski, in the One:1 and it was game on.

We won’t spoil the outcome, but Tiff said:

I-Shift Dual Clutch is absolutely incredible. It is particularly noticeable on slopes, the truck does not hold back – it just flows smoothly, without the gear changes being felt. When you brake, it switches down very softly and comfortably. The truck definitely has the heart of a sports car.

Find out who won the Volvo Truck v Koenigsegg One:1 challenge in the video below.