After enduring -40°C Arctic testing in Alaska, Volvo Trucks’ all-new VNL is tested in the opposite extreme environment — the desert heat of up to 120°F (48.8°C).

This summer, Volvo engineers are running the new VNL through hot-weather trials in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Routes include the steep Davis Dam Grade in Arizona, climbing more than 3,500 feet in elevation, and the Baker Grade in California’s Mojave Desert between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Each test is conducted with heavy loads to simulate real-world conditions, the company said in a news release.

“Hot weather testing is just as critical as cold weather testing,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “We are truly putting this truck through a grueling pace of some of the toughest commercial driving conditions possible in the world. From the freezing subzero of Alaska to the extreme heat, our goal is the same – to make sure our customers can count on their Volvo to perform, no matter where they operate.”

“Hot shutdown” challenge

Among the most demanding evaluations is the so-called “hot shutdown.” Trucks are driven up a 10-mile grade in triple-digit heat, then shut down at the summit, allowing the engine compartment to bake before descending under full load. This process exposes any potential weak points under the harshest conditions.

Engineers are also validating the performance of the Volvo Parking Cooler, a battery-powered system that allows drivers to keep the cab climate-controlled during rest breaks without idling the engine. The tests are meant to confirm if the system can maintain comfort and safety even in extreme temperatures while reducing fuel use and emissions.

“Hot-weather testing gives us critical insights into how vehicles respond when everything is working against them,” said Matthew Taylor, group manager for reliability test engineering at Volvo Group North America.

“We want to know exactly how the truck performs when it is essentially being baked from the road up. When the air temperature is 115 degrees, the pavement can climb past 150 degrees, radiating intense heat upward and adding extra stress to the underside of the truck. These trials allow us to validate designs, find potential issues, and ultimately deliver greater reliability for our customers.”

Test drivers play a key role in this trial, too, logging thousands of miles and sharing feedback on performance and comfort. Data gathered on the road is combined with their insights to guide refinements before the model reaches production.