Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - April 2024 - 14

ALL-NEW
VNL SPORTS
SUPERTRUCK 2
INFLUENCE
The new VNL will be
Volvo's platform for all
upcoming commercial
vehicle technologies.
Volvo Trucks reveals ground-up redesign of its Class 8 truck
developed specifically for North American roads.
by Matt Wolfe
V
olvo Trucks North America has launched the completely
redesigned VNL Class 8 truck. The all-new VNL was designed
specifically for the North American market and features
Volvo's next generation of powertrain technology and
advanced safety features.
" The all-new Volvo VNL was designed to change everything, " said
Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America, during the virtual
launch event for the truck in late January. " We started this project
with a blank sheet of paper and thoroughly analyzed the trends and
transformations that will impact the industry and our customers' needs,
including the sustainability and transportation demands of the future. "
Volvo states that the new VNL will be the company's platform for
all upcoming commercial vehicle technologies, including batteryelectric,
fuel-cell and internal-combustion powertrains that operate
on renewable fuels such as hydrogen. The new VNL features the
company's first 24-volt electrical infrastructure in North America
and is available in three powertrain packages, each featuring the
Volvo D13 engine with five different horsepower and torque ratings.
A total of four exterior and interior trim levels are available with six
cab configurations.
" This is a very significant launch for Volvo Trucks in North America,
probably our most significant since 1996 when we first introduced
the VNL in the U.S., " Voorhoeve said. " Roughly 90% of the truck is
brand new. We listened to our customers in North America and
looked at the requirements for the coming decades. This is our platform
for years to come. "
14 April 2024
Swedish styrka
The VNL's D13 engine features power ratings ranging
from 405 to 500 hp (302 to 373 kW) and torque ratings
from 1,750 to 1,950 lb-ft (2,373 to 2,644 Nm).
Volvo states that its powertrain engineers in
Hagerstown, Maryland, exhausted every area of improvement
for optimized combustion, reduced friction
and robust longevity. Design enhancements to the D13
include a new wave piston with a shorter height and
longer connecting rod, smaller injector needle control
valves, a variable-vane oil pump and improvements to
the turbo system.
Volvo first introduced a patented six-wave piston in
2017. The launch of the new VNL marks the launch of
an enhanced seven-wave piston that, according to
Volvo, provides further directional control of the air
and fuel mixture to promote more efficient combustion.
The company also states that the decreased piston
height paired with a longer connecting rod minimizes
cylinder sidewall pressure, which decreases friction
and improves overall performance and durability
thanks to fewer parasitic losses.
Smaller needle control valves in the fuel injectors
reportedly provide improved fuel flow combined with
a reduced control valve size, which translates to more
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
VOLVO TRUCKS
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - April 2024

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