Claes Nilsson, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks, says the business “decided early on to succeed in both arenas. That is why we are in command of the whole development and production process of the entire powertrain ourselves.”
The integrated powertrain consists of an enhanced Euro 6 engine and Volvo’s I-Shift. Updates to the engine include an increased compression ratio on the D13 420bhp and 460bhp versions, and a new optimised turbocharger on the 500bhp and 540bhp variants of the D13 engine.
Fuel savings vary according to application but, says Volvo, can be 3% for an FH on long-haul operations. And for heavy haulage, such as timber, the fuel saving can be higher if the engine is combined with Volvo’s recently-introduced I-Shift with crawler gears and Tandem Axle Lift, the driven liftable rear axle.
The company has also fine-tuned the front bumper spoiler, air deflector panels, mud guards and mud flaps, as well as the wheel wells, to improve aerodynamics.
“Our customers constantly demand new solutions that are both productive and cost effective,” says Mike Corcoran, commercial director for Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland.
“In order to meet their needs, we focus wholeheartedly on continuously improving the driveability of our trucks and at the same time minimise fuel consumption.”