Navistar says the International SuperTruck II improves freight efficiency by 170% in this generation of SuperTruck through a combination of hybridization and aerodynamics.
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"With co-funding by the DOE, Navistar engineers experimented with prospective technologies not currently available in the Class 8 truck market to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility," says Russ Zukouski, chief engineer of global innovation and the principal investigator for the SuperTruck programs. "The team concentrated its design on high-voltage electrification, utilizing hybrid technology on a path toward full electrification that has the potential to be commercialized in fully electric vehicles and improve customers' total cost of ownership and business operations."
SuperTruck II gets 16 miles per gallon and proves new approaches to weight reduction, including improvements to rolling resistance technologies, aerodynamic improvements and new innovations in powertrain technology.
"Navistar is the only OEM to build a trailer to provide the most accurate testing results possible," says Dean Opperman, chief engineer, advanced truck. "It includes a 100% composite box designed for minimum aerodynamic drag with lightweight, integrated cross members, controlled underbody flow with composite aero treatments, next-generation solar panels with connectivity options and ride height control."
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SuperTruck II has a combustion engine with high-voltage accessories and technologies developed in partnership with Bosch. This engine improves combustion, friction, gas exchange and airflow. A redesigned cylinder head with dual overhead cam engine and enhanced fuel system results in a 2% fuel economy improvement over the first SuperTruck, as well as a 55% brake thermal efficiency improvement.
"A full system approach was required to achieve the 55.2% brake thermal efficiency," says Jim CIgler, chief engineer, advanced engine. "Opportunities were identified by internal engineering teams along with research partner Argonne National Laboratory through detailed analysis and simulation. System suppliers such as Bosch, Jacobs Vehicle Systems and Applied Nano Systems brought new approaches to key systems that enabled laboratory success and yielded real-world fuel economy improvements. Navistar was able to identify new ways to push our engines to the next level of efficiency."
SuperTruck II features next-generation predictive cruise control and other vehicle-to-everything technologies to enhance safety and efficiency.
"Our goal is to continue to advance internal combustion engine technology as efficiently and sustainably as possible until there is parity with zero-emissions vehicles," Opperman says. "Development of both technologies concurrently ensures a smooth transition of technology to best serve customer needs. We are focused on the entire product ecosystem -- product development itself, as well as infrastructure charging, service and support of vehicle operation, end of life for batteries."
