Volvo has unveiled its latest North American range of bonneted VNR trucks in the USA with the new trucks being launched at the American Trucking Association Maintenance Council annual general meeting in Nashville last week, revealing the first large-scale overhaul of hte VNR prime movers since its inception with what Volvo is claiming is a 90 per cent redesign.
Volvo says the new truck will deliver a 7.5 per cent improvement in fuel economy, along with upgraded safety systems and better manuoeverbility including a tighter tighter turning circle.
The company says that enhancements of the VNR powertrain account for nearly 30 per cent of the fuel efficiency improvement, with the launch of its new D13 VGT diesel engine, which will be offered with between 405 horsepower and 455 hp and 1,450 pound-feet and 1,850 pound-feet of torque. The outgoing D11 and D13 engines delivered between 325 and 500 hp.
Meantime the big Swede has also worked on the aerodynamic package and says these advances account for the remainder of the fuel efficiency improvement.
“Because of the much more aerodynamic shape, there is so much more forward visibility with a 17 per cent improvement in forward visibility ,” Campbell said.
“We’re seeing a 10.7 per cent more aerodynamic truck than the legacy model with a more aerodynamic shape, a shrink-wrapped grille, and then using what air cannot be cut, which are two of the main rules of aerodynamics: cut what you can; use what you can’t,” he added.
Volvo also proclaimed a number of safety upgrades include enhanced forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking through the Volvo Active Driver Assist system. Optional advanced safety packages with Volvo Dynamic Steering offer lane keep support and blind spot monitoring.
VTNA president and former boss of Volvo’s Australian operations, Peter Voorhoeve. said the company has a legacy of providing innovative, purpose-built solutions.
“The all-new VNR is a versatile option that was designed specifically for the demanding nature of regional and urban delivery. Fleets now have the tools to tackle a wide range of operational needs with our most customisable truck,” said Voorhoeve.
“Once again, Volvo Trucks is introducing a truck that was designed to change everything. Together, the street-smart VNR and our flagship VNL can address a wide range of fleet operational needs,” Voorhoeve added.
Volvo said that while the VNR is the same body-in-white as its VNL, it has a different cab position.
The company will build the new trucks at its New River Valley Plant in Virginia, which underwent a substantial remodelling ahead of the overhaul of the VNR and the flagship VNL tractor with the company saying its order books will open in the coming months,.
The revamped VNR will also incorporate 24-volt electrical architecture in order to support technology advances while also assimilating systems standard elsewhere in the Volvo Group which Campbell said was the biggest change from the legacy model .
Volvo said this change allowed VTNA to introduce a host of European safety systems to its North American product line, using its own proprietary Volvo Group systems rather than Bendix products it used in America in the past, as well as enabling it to implement its own Volvo Dynamic Steering.
Campbell cited changes to the air pressure management system as a close second. On the new truck, if there is an air leak drivers can now isolate an affected area and continue to a safe spot rather than having to quickly pull over to investigate, he said.
VTNA originally debuted the VNR in April 2017, targeting the private fleet, tank truck, less-than-truckload and drayage markets. It replaced the VNM, which had been around since the 1990s.