Volvo Introduces New Engine, Powertrain Enhancements
Volvo's Engine and Powertrain Upgrades
Volvo Trucks North America revealed a range of products, including engines and powertrain updates, to enhance the fuel economy and driving experience of its customers.
The 11-liter and 13-liter engine types, known as the D11 and D13, as well as the D13 with turbo compounding, were introduced during a tour of the engine and powertrain factory. For the D11, the D13, and the turbo compounding variant, improvements in fuel efficiency over previous generation engines were reported at 2.2 percent, 2.5 percent, and 6.5 percent, respectively.
According to Volvo Trucks North America President Göran Nyberg, the company "made many engine changes to equip clients with the requisite fuel savings without losing power and performance."
The 11-liter engine has received modifications, one of which being a common-rail fuel system designed for quieter operation. Additional enhancements include assembled camshafts, two-speed coolant pump, two-piece valve cover, and wave pistons.
Together, they are intended to perform similarly to older 13-liter engines of the same generation. 425 more horsepower represents a nearly 5% improvement. The D13 variant has enhancements similar to those of the 11-liter, including 6% more torque, giving drivers more freedom to downspeed. It is made for local services like delivery and pickup runs that cover a lesser distance.
On highways, the turbo compounding model is intended for use. John Moore, the marketing product manager, described how it produces 50 additional horsepower that is then returned to the engine during the plant tour.
The model with turbo compounding is supposed to cruise at 300 rpm less than the typical truck used today, claims Wade Long, director of product marketing. A driveline with a rear axle ratio of 2.47 is related to an increase in turbo compounding of 1%.
When considering a fleet of 75 vehicles traveling 125,000 miles at a speed of 7 mpg and assuming a diesel price of $2.65 per gallon, Moore estimated the potential savings from turbo compounding at $231,000 per year.
Nyberg continued, "We still anticipate having one of the higher [sales] years in North America, even though the first quarter has been very soft.
Long stated, "We're not stopping with engines." The D16 will have I-Shift "crawler gears" available.
The improved gearing is designed to improve fuel efficiency when paving slowly and pouring concrete.
Another change involves switching from a two-box aftertreatment to a one-box maintenance-speedy exhaust aftertreatment.
In order to provide customers with the best options for the greatest return on investment, Nyberg claims that "these Volvo powertrain advancements connect our distinctive engineering and technological knowledge with our focus on satisfying customers' needs."
The next year, operations in the US will be enhanced by the deployment of I-See, a predictive cruise control system. Because drivers' performance varies over the course of a shift, this system was developed to continuously enhance fuel efficiency, according to Moore. It is designed to work in conjunction with the I-Shift gearbox feature, which is designed to store the topography of 4,500 hills. He added that the objective is to find the best gearing and power combination for rolling uphill and rolling downhill. “
Drivers will now have more power while consuming less gas, claims Moore.
The one-box exhaust aftertreatment system weighs 17 pounds lighter, according to the most recent statements, which also highlighted weight savings.
