Volvo Trucks North America unveils a redesigned Class 8 Volvo VNL that boasts striking visual elements, aiming to redefine industry benchmarks in heavy-duty trucking. The revamped Volvo VNL, a result of six years of dedicated research and product development by the U.S. team, has undergone meticulous reengineering from the ground up. Tailored to meet the evolving challenges of the North American freight transport sector, the all-new Volvo VNL incorporates numerous next-generation enhancements. These advancements, totaling a $400 million investment, empower customers to elevate productivity, safety, profitability, and sustainability, thereby transforming the overall driver experience.
Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America, emphasizes: “The all-new Volvo VNL was designed to change everything. However, change doesn’t only come with a redesigned truck — this product introduction is the start of a new era for Volvo Trucks, our customers, and their drivers — a quantum leap forward. 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.”
The redesigned Volvo VNL showcases remarkable aerodynamics and is engineered to achieve an impressive fuel efficiency improvement of up to 10%, contributing to significant emission and CO2 reductions for fleets. In alignment with Volvo Trucks' objective to achieve 100% sales of zero-emission vehicles by 2040, the new Volvo VNL serves as the platform for upcoming technologies, such as battery-electric, fuel cell, and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels, including hydrogen. The introduction of active safety features and the transition from 12-volt to 24-volt electrical architecture in the new Volvo VNL set the standard for the future of trucking, including the anticipated commercialization of fully autonomous trucks.
Enhanced Truck Fuel Efficiency
The new Volvo VNL has achieved remarkable fuel efficiency improvements through a redesigned aerodynamic structure, featuring a wedge-shaped cab and a significantly reshaped windshield. Key enhancements include tighter clearances around wheel openings, the bumper and hood, alongside optimized chassis fairings and a reduced back-of-cab to trailer gap. Complementing these improvements is the latest-generation D13 engine, elevating powertrain capabilities for enhanced fuel efficiency, performance, and durability. The I-Shift automated manual transmission, boasting up to 30% faster shift speeds, and the I-Torque powertrain solution contribute to unparalleled fuel and CO2 savings, versatility, and drivability across various applications. The new Volvo VNL promises fleet operators substantial annual savings in operating costs, attributed to reduced fuel expenses, improved operational efficiency, and reduced unplanned stops.
Innovative Safety Features
Volvo Trucks' commitment to safety is evident in the new Volvo VNL, featuring a suite of advanced safety features. The Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus with Pilot Assist, powered by Volvo Dynamic Steering, stands out as a class-leading active safety system, enhancing maneuverability, stability, and responsiveness to diverse road conditions and hazardous situations. The inclusion of a new pedestrian and cyclist detection feature adds an extra layer of safety by alerting drivers to potential hazards and activating automatic emergency braking when objects are directly in front of the truck. The introduction of E-Call, an innovative safety feature, automatically connects the driver to emergency services with precise location details in the event of a rollover crash or airbag deployment, where cellular connectivity is available.
Revamped Design
The latest Volvo VNL showcases a driver-centric design, emphasizing comfort, efficiency, and safety throughout work, rest, and non-driving periods. Elevating the driver experience, the truck features optional amenities like a foldable bunk for convenient dinette access, a sleek control panel, improved insulation, an expanded refrigerator and versatile power options, all contributing to a cozy "home away from home." Incorporating Volvo Trucks' highly efficient idle management tool, the integrated Volvo Parking Cooler minimizes emissions and reduces fuel costs during stops, enhancing rest by eliminating noise and vibrations from idling. The Global Rear Air Suspension (GRAS) system, coupled with Volvo Dynamic Steering and Smart Suspension software, ensures superior ride quality, stability, and handling, mitigating fatigue across varied conditions.
Enhanced Connectivity for Maximum Uptime and Efficiency
The new Volvo VNL benefits from cutting-edge over-the-air (OTA) updates to optimize performance. The integrated Volvo Connect serves as an all-in-one fleet management portal, consolidating Volvo Trucks’ digital services, including vehicle data insights, diagnostics, remote programming, fuel economy reports, safety reports, and location services. The optional Blue Service Contract, managed by dealers, maximizes uptime through real-time data from connected services, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling and remote updates to prevent unplanned downtime. Volvo Trucks' Uptime Center provides 24/7 remote monitoring, promptly alerting drivers and dealers to critical issues.
The innovative Volvo MyTruck app allows drivers to stay connected with their vehicle, offering insights into estimated remaining fuel range, DEF levels, and coolant levels. The app also sends notifications about potential issues, such as light malfunctions and low washer fluid levels, enabling drivers to address them during rest breaks or pre-trip inspections. Furthermore, the MyTruck app allows drivers to schedule specific times for climate control activation, ensuring the cabin reaches their preferred temperature before starting their workday.