TAMPA, Fla. – Volvo Trucks North America says customers should expect to pay about US$7,500 more for 2007 Class 8 tractors.

The increased purchase price can be attributed to the new technology required to meet the stringent Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards. As in 2002, the cost increase will come in the form of a surcharge.

“Volvo has made a very substantial investment developing not just engines but complete vehicle solutions to meet the 2007 standards,” said Scott Kress, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “We have also invested in assembly and testing facilities for our new family of engines in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a result, our customers will benefit from a full range of modern, highly productive diesel engines, while all of society benefits from lower emissions and cleaner air.”

Volvo officials said the price increase will be listed as a surcharge on invoices for new trucks built with 2007 engines. The ’07 engines will feature more EGR than today’s models, as well as a diesel particulate filter. The price increase will apply to all Volvo Class 8 tractors, whether they’re equipped with the Volvo D11, D13 and D16 engines or the Cummins ISX.

New engine lineup introduced

Volvo Trucks also unveiled its 2007 engine lineup at the recent Technology and Maintenance Council meetings. The company says the new engines will deliver excellent fuel economy, reliability, durability and driving performance.

The new engines will also meet the strict 2007 EPA emissions standards, the company confirmed.

“The new Volvo engine family will make our air cleaner and help our customers be more productive and efficient,” said Peter Karlsten, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America. “These engines will deliver fuel economy equivalent to our current engines, which will please owners and fleet managers. Drivers will enjoy outstanding driveability from the engines’ power, torque and response. And everyone benefits from lower emissions made possible by Volvo’s advanced diesel technology.”

The 2007 engine lineup will include the 11-litre D11, 13-litre D13 and 16-litre D16 powerplants.

“Volvo customers now have the ability to choose the precise engine for their business in terms of displacement and power ratings, without any compromise in technology, features or benefits,” said Karlsten.

Volvo’s D11 will be available in the Volvo VNM (medium hood length) and VNL (long hood) models. It will be available with 325- to 405 hp with torque from 1,250 to 1,450 lb.-ft. This engine will be best suited for P&D, LTL and regional distributioin applications, Volvo officials said.

The D13 will be available in the Volvo VNM and VNL tractors as well as the Volvo VHD vocational trucks and tractor. This engine will be available with horsepower ratings between 335 hp and 485 hp with torque levels ranging from 1,350 lb.-ft. to 1,650 lb.-ft. Volvo says this engine will be ideal for LTL, truckload, linehaul freight and vocational applications.

Finally, the D16 will be available in the Volvo VNL and VT. This engine, introduced in 2005, has horsepower ratings from 450 hp to 600 hp and torque ranging from 1,650 lb.-ft. to 2,050 lb.-ft. This engine provides ultimate power for applications such as heavy-haul applications and is popular among owner/operators and image-concsious small fleets.

Volvo will also continue to offer the 15-litre Cummins ISX on Volvo VN and VT highway tractors.

Volvo will continue using EGR in 2007, but as with all other manufacturers a diesel particulate filter (DPF) will also be required. The 2007 engines will also feature an ultra high fuel injection pressure system which raises fuel injection pressure by 20 per cent. The higher fuel pressure improves fuel atomization and dispersal in the cylinder, reducing emissions and improving combustion, the company says.

The Volvo engines will also provide multiple fuel injections per stroke giving more precise control over fuel injection for emissions control and engine performance.

A single-stage variable geometry turbocharger is another key component in the new engines, featuring a sliding nozzle and electronic actuation.

The VGT delivers enhanced engine response and driveability, the company says. And increased peak cylinder pressures allow the engine to extract more energy from each drop of fuel.

Volvo officials said the new engines will be easy to service as they share a common architecture and design.

Meanwhile, Volvo officials say the company’s experience with EGR means there’s no reason to worry about the reliability of the new trucks and engines.

There are about 42,000 EGR-equipped Volvo’s on North American highways today, the company says. And the company also has more than 1,600 trucks nad buses on the roads that are equipped with diesel particulate filters.