Volvo Trucks North America unveils all-new Volvo VNL truck

25 January 2024

Volvo Trucks North America has launched an all-new Volvo VNL truck. The new Volvo VNL features a number of enhancements to improve efficiency, driver productivity, and safety. The truck features a new aerodynamic design and is engineered to achieve a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 10%, according to the company.

The new Volvo VNL is powered by the latest generation D13 engine that delivers improved fuel efficiency, performance, and durability. The D13 engine is available in four power ratings, ranging from 405-500 hp and three torque ratings from 1,750-1,950 lb-ft of torque. The trucks incorporate an improved I-Shift transmission, which features up to 30% faster shift speeds.

Aerodynamic resistance has a major impact on the fuel efficiency of a truck. The streamlined and more angular, wedge-shaped cab design of the new Volvo VNL is a key factor in achieving up to 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. Additional aerodynamic gains were created from the integration of the curved and bonded windshield, tighter clearances around turbulent air areas like wheel openings, the bumper and the hood, chassis fairings and promoting a tighter trailer gap. These designs, all key components of the aerodynamic gains, were developed and tested in parallel with Volvo Trucks’ SuperTruck 2.

Volvo Trucks North America’s new 24-volt electrical architecture, the first in North America, helps to minimize battery and electrical failures and improve serviceability when it comes to pinpointing and repairing electrical issues. A new linear exhaust aftertreatment system will be easier to service and deliver better DEF treatment for an even cleaner system, Volvo said.

The new Volvo VNL features an efficient idle management tool to help reduce or eliminate engine idling when the vehicle is stopped or parked. The new integrated Volvo Parking Cooler is a climate-control option that utilizes the onboard 24-volt battery system to power the cab’s HVAC when parked, reducing emissions, engine wear, and fuel costs. For drivers parked in areas where idling is prohibited, the integrated Volvo Parking Cooler maintains a comfortable climate to maximize driver well-being.

The new Volvo VNL will be the platform for all upcoming technologies, including future transportation solutions of battery-electric, fuel cell and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels including hydrogen, the company said. The first 24-volt electrical infrastructure in the North American trucking industry and active safety features that are introduced in this new generation of Volvo trucks will be the standard for the future commercialization of fully autonomous trucks.

Sales will begin in the coming months with production at the Volvo Trucks New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.

Source: Volvo Trucks North America