“Since their introduction, we’ve found our lineup of GHG 2017 engines – particularly the D13TC – to be the most fuel-efficient we’ve ever offered in North America,” says Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Now, combined with an additional 1 percent fuel efficiency benefit from the improved aerodynamics of the new VNL series, customers spec’ing the D13TC will see up to a 7.5 percent improvement overall.”
Designed for customers with long-haul, steady-speed operations, Volvo says the 13-liter Volvo D13TC utilizes turbo compounding technology that recovers energy typically wasted through the exhaust, converting it into useable mechanical energy that is transferred back to the engine. The 50 additional horsepower is fed directly to the crankshaft, resulting in up to a 6.5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency from the engine alone when compared with previous GHG14 D13 engine models, the company says.
“Turbo Compound is a waste heat recovery system that uses a turbine to convert energy from the exhaust gases into additional torque on the crankshaft improving engine efficiency,” says John Moore, Volvo Trucks product marketing manager – powertrain. “This robust system is completely mechanical and adds no additional routine maintenance to the engine.”
Volvo says customers are able to pair the D13TC with Volvo’s XE – eXceptional Efficiency – powertrain packages. XE packages rely on Volvo’s fully integrated I-Shift automated manual transmission to downspeed the engine, enabling a cruise rpm up to 300 rpm less than the average truck sold today, saving fuel.
Volvo also says the VNL series comes standard with the Volvo D13 engine, with the D13TC available as an option. Customers choosing Daycab and VNL 400 models also have the option of spec’ing the 11-liter Volvo D11 as an alternative. The 15-liter Cummins X15 is also available in the VNL series.
All three Volvo engines feature the patented wave piston, which is said to employ a uniquely designed piston crown with ridges to burn fuel more efficiently. A proven common rail fuel injection system improves fuel efficiency by enabling finer control and more accurate fuel injection, Volvo adds.
The engines also feature a revised EGR flow sensor with a new double-wall casing to reduce condensation and soot buildup in cold weather, preventing downtime. An available two-speed coolant pump also contributes to improved fuel efficiency as a result of reduced parasitic losses. The new intake throttle enables a faster warmup when the engine is started.
“Volvo’s proprietary engine options in the new VNL series mean customers no longer have to choose between good fuel efficiency and good power,” Moore says. “These features added to the proven Volvo D-series foundation enable us to give customers the performance they want along with the efficiency their business requires.”
New VNL Daycab and VNL 400 models equipped with the Volvo D11 deliver up to 425 horsepower and 1,550 lb.-ft. of torque, combined with an up to 2.5 percent fuel efficiency improvement compared with the previous D11 engine. New VNL models spec’d with the D13 feature up to 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, the company says. All VNL models come standard with the Volvo I-Shift AMT, with the I-Shift with Crawler Gears available as an option. All I-Shift AMTs also come with I-See, which Volvo describes as an intelligent cruise control system that memorizes the topography of the road to optimize shifting and throttle applications to save fuel.
Additionally, Volvo says its proprietary engines and the I-Shift AMT are monitored by Volvo Remote Diagnostics, a factory-installed telematics system that proactively monitors and diagnoses critical engine, transmission and aftertreatment trouble codes. If an issue is detected, Volvo Action Service (VAS) agents will assess the severity and provide the vehicle’s designated contact with actionable information to determine whether to keep operating the truck or take it for immediate service.
ASIST, Volvo’s online service management tool, captures all details from the service process, giving the driver, customer contact and dealer real-time visibility to case status, repair scheduling, and parts and service bay availability. Volvo Remote Diagnostics is standard on the VNL series, the company says.
