GREENSBORO, N.C. — The EPA ’02 standards may just be about engine emissions, but Volvo has taken to opportunity to completely redesign its family of on- and off-highway rigs.

Thanks in part to aerodynamic gains achieved by the new designs, Volvo officials claim operators will see fuel efficiency hold fairly steady. Only a two per cent increase will be seen in the absolute worst case scenario.

“You’ll experience more of a difference in fuel economy from a good driver to a bad driver than you will from these engines,” says Ed Saxman, a director with Volvo Powertrain, in reference to the company’s standard offerings: Volvo’s 12-litre and Cummins’ 15-litre models.

The new units, which include both revamped VN and VHD designs will be introduced to the Canadian industry at Truck World 2002 in Toronto at the end of September and at Truxpo 2002 in Abbotsford, B.C. at the beginning of October.

Truck News has already been granted an advanced look at Volvo’s new North American offerings and we’ll give you the same opportunity in our October issue.