Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Volvo unveils first 21st century truck: emissions standards, operating costs drive new truck development; a global design process - On-Highway Vehicle
In a move which at first seems counterintuitive considering the continuing softness of the North American truck market, Volvo Trucks North America Inc. recently introduced its new VN series Class 8 trucks powered by a choice of 2002 emissions-compliant Volvo and Cummins diesel engines. The VN series is designed to set new standards in productivity, aerodynamics, driver safety and comfort, all while meeting the latest round of emissions regulations that took effect October 1.
The seven new trucks recently unveiled include the VNM200 day cab, the VNM43O, the VNL630, VNL670 premium fleet tall sleeper and the flagship VNL780. Also shown at the launch was an '02 compliant version of the VHD200 vocational dump truck.
The VN series, which Volvo called an entirely new truck generation, represents a three-year, $190 million investment and shares its platform with the Volvo FH and Volvo FM models launched in Europe last autumn. The trucks are the product of some 500,000 development hours and three million miles of testing, the company said.
"Volvo's goal is to be a premium brand truck with world class distribution," said Michele Gigou, president Volvo Trucks North America. "We are the first manufacturer to have completely new EPA '02 compliant trucks."
To create its first new truck of the 21st century, the designers and engineers utilized a global development process similar to that used in the automotive industry. Every component of the trucks was evaluated and re-evaluated from different perspectives - productivity, aerodynamics, serviceability, aesthetics, safety and driver comfort. Through this process, Volvo claimed a 3 percent reduction in operating cost for this truck, along with a 1 percent improvement in profitability.
Volvo said more than 1000 of the parts that comprised previous VN models were redesigned without compromising integrity or the ability to pass the toughest safety tests. Ease of maintenance has also been improved to help maximize uptime and reduce operating cost.
The original Volvo VN model was introduced in 1996 and since then freight rates, fuel costs, insurance costs, technology and government regulations have changed. Arguably, engine and driveline control technologies have seen the most profound changes, mostly driven by exhaust emission regulations and customer demands for increased productivity.
"While the rest of the industry chose to focus on developing only cleaner engines for installation in existing or restyled truck models, Volvo concentrated on developing all the various components in parallel resulting in a new generation of trucks," said Susan Alt, vice president of marketing for Volvo Trucks North America Inc. "With the new emissions standards taking effect, the trucking industry is starting a new chapter and we wanted to start off with all-new trucks for the 21st century. We also wanted to generate excitement in the marketplace."
The new VN truck's introduction marks the production debut of the Volvo D12 diesel engine with V-Pulse exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology. The new D12 V-Pulse 12 L, six-cylinder engine has output ratings of 365, 395, 435 and 465 hp with torque outputs of 1350, 1450, 1550 and 1650 lb.ft. Since the engine's initial showing last year (see October 2001, Diesel Progress), Volvo has conducted extensive field testing with a variety of fleets to ensure reliability and customer satisfaction.
"The V-Pulse technology is truly a unique approach to the EPA '02 mandate," said Alt. "Exhaust gas recirculation is a common solution for diesel engine manufacturers. However Volvo's approach is unlike others -- the beauty of it is in the simplicity."
The V-Pulse technology does not use a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) to achieve the EGR necessary for reduction of combustion emissions and particulate matter. Volvo said the system achieves EGR by harnessing naturally occurring engine pressure as a means to reintroduce up to 30 percent of the exhaust back into the intake mixing chamber. V-Pulse is designed for simplicity and low maintenance requiring minimal changes in maintenance procedures and no new technical education.
A variety of fleets were selected to test the V-Pulse engines under natural climate conditions and freight applications. As this is written, many V-Pulse equipped engines have logged 100,000-plus miles and some have already returned to the Volvo Technical Center in Greensboro, N.C., to be disassembled, inspected and placed back into service for additional testing, according to Volvo.
The company estimates that its V-Pulse engine technology has already accumulated in excess of three million miles of testing. The recommended oil change interval for the new EPA '02 compliant Volvo VE D12 diesel engine is unchanged from the previous engine version.
For customers seeking higher power output, Volvo offers the in-line, six-cylinder, 15 L Cummins ISX diesel engine with output ratings of 400, 450, 475, 500, 525, 530 and 565 hp. Torque outputs include 1450, 1550, 1650 and 1850 lb.ft. ratings. Both the Cummins and Volvo engines use dual path Behr EGR coolers and EGR valves from Eaton -- a single valve for the Cummins design and dual valves for Volvo.
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