Volvo Truck North America has announced improvements to the power train and aerodynamics for its VN highway series engines. The new improvements are designed to increase fuel efficiency by 8 percent over EPA 2007 engines. Volvo has also announced interior changes to its trucks
“Volvo Trucks continues to aggressively target areas to help lower our customers’ operating costs,” says Ron Huibers, Volvo Trucks senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Labor and fuel are the top expenses across the industry and the situation doesn’t appear to be changing. Analysts predict a large driver shortage and diesel prices continue to rise, but we’re confident our product enhancements will help fleets attract and retain drivers and further our position as fuel efficiency leaders.”
Volvo has introduced a new 455 horsepower and 1,550/1,750 lb-ft. torque rating for its D13 engine, and new rating complements the company’s existing Eco-torque and Dual-torque ratings of 405, 425, 475 and 500 horsepower. The company says the new ratings should maximize fuel economy. Volvo Trucks also offers the Eco-Torque ratings on both its D11 and D16 engines.
“Eco-torque and Dual Torque ratings take advantage of high-torque-rise engine curves and take effect in the top two gears, where drivers in line-haul operations spend as much as 95 percent of their driving time,” says Ed Saxman, Volvo Trucks’ drivetrain product manager. “On demand, engine torque will increase by 200 lb-ft. — even 300 lb-ft. in the case of the 425 horsepower engine — to allow the vehicle to remain in top gear on most grades.”
Volvo says customers also can achieve fuel saving through the company’s new Mass Based Variable Torque software, which sense a truck’s gross combination weight and adjusts torque based on load size. Redesigned mirror heads and aerodynamic shrouds and arms also have been added to VN models, which Volvo says aid fuel efficiency.
The company also has created a fuel management tool that provides weekly reports on the vehicle’s fuel economy, and a three redesigned truck interiors.
