#MATS: Volvo fighting high diesel pricing with 8% fuel efficiency improvement

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fuel efficiency is top of mind for truck buyers these days and Volvo Trucks in North America had some very good news on that front at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The truck maker introduced powertrain enhancements and advanced aerodynamics for its VN highway series aimed at delivering an 8% improvement in fuel efficiency over EPA 2007 engines – with additional gains possible through the use of new fleet management and driver development tools. 

Building on the fuel efficiency delivered by Volvo Trucks’ EPA 2010 solution with No Regen SCR technology, Volvo introduced a new 455 horsepower and 1,550/1,750 lb-ft. torque rating for the Volvo D13 engine. The new rating complements Volvo Trucks’ existing Eco-Torque and Dual-Torque ratings of 405, 425, 475, and 500 horsepower, designed to maximize fuel economy by providing a driver-intuitive algorithm that rewards fuel-efficient driving and encourages low-rpm engine operation.

“Eco-Torque and Dual Torque ratings take advantage of high-torque-rise engine curves and take effect in the top two gears, where drivers in line-haul operations spend as much as 95 percent of their driving time,” said Ed Saxman, Volvo Trucks’ drivetrain product manager.  “On demand, engine torque will increase by 200 lb-ft – even 300 lb-ft in the case of the 425 horsepower engine – to allow the vehicle to remain in top gear on most grades. Eco-Torque ratings allow full performance and fuel economy in the remaining gears, while Dual-Torque ratings are available to allow lower-rated transmissions to be used.”

Volvo Trucks also offers the Eco-Torque ratings on both its D11 and D16 engines.

Customers can also now achieve fuel savings through Volvo Trucks’ new Mass Based Variable Torque software that senses the gross combination weight of the truck and adjusts the engine’s torque when the truck is lightly loaded. 

Volvo also unveiled new exterior components in the Fuel Enhancement package offered on 2011 Volvo VN model trucks. These include redesigned mirror heads with aerodynamic shrouds and arms, redesigned hood mirrors that also increase visibility, new bumper and side fairings, and a newly designed bug deflector that reduces fuel efficiency degradation. Volvo Trucks’ VN daycab models also now offer a more aerodynamic roof fairing and sun visor.

“The Fuel Enhancement package allows customers to optimize airflow around the cab, eliminating turbulence during the transfer of air to the trailer and improving fuel efficiency,” Volvo Trucks product manager Frank Bio said.

Driver performance is a significant component of the fuel efficiency equation, so Volvo Trucks is also offering a new fuel management tool through Volvo Link that provides weekly reports with driver and vehicle data. The fuel management tool also allows fleets to compare their results against similar fleets so they can benchmark their performance. Volvo also rolled out an online driver development program – www.edrivertraining.com – focused on equipping drivers with technical knowledge about their Volvo truck, information about Volvo’s active safety features, and techniques for maximizing the fuel efficiency performance of their Volvo.

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