Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/667099
28 commercial carrier journal | april 2016 "Soot basically is unburned fuel, so by reducing unburned fuel, we reduce soot." The updated D13 is available in VN, VHD and VAH models and is engineered to provide a fuel efficien- cy improvement of up to 2.5 percent compared to the previous D13. These engine enhancements also were includ- ed in the D13 with turbo compound- ing. Production on the D13 is expected to begin in October. The D16, which gets no major up- dates, will begin production in January 2017. Volvo closed 2015 with almost 93 percent of its trucks spec'd with Volvo power, Nyberg said. New standard aftertreatment system Volvo also introduced a one-box exhaust aftertreatment system that combines the diesel particulate filter with the selective catalytic reduction system and diesel exhaust fluid doser into a single unit. The system features a new copper-zeolite coating designed to improve low-temperature nitrogen ox- ide conversion for improved emissions. Volvo engineer Ashraf Makki said the new design configuration results in bet- ter thermal performance for improved efficiency, smaller packaging require- ments and an approximately 17-pound weight reduction from the two-box unit. There also are uptime consider- ations, as Makki said the entire unit can be removed by loosening six fasteners, while a swivel cover allows faster DPF service without detaching the unit. The one-box system, which also provides additional frame rail space for added packaging flexibility, will be standard on D11- and D13-equipped powertrains, while the two-box solu- tion will remain on the D16. I-Shift with Crawler Gears Volvo also introduced its I-Shift with Crawler Gears automated manual transmission. Designed for crawler functionality and startability, I-Shift with Crawler Gears is suited for ap- plications requiring a slow speed and maneuverabilty such as concrete mixers with curb-pouring capability, asphalt paving, spreaders, dump trucks, heavy haulers and line painters. The I-Shift with Crawler Gears also facilitates startability for heavy haul and up to 220,000 lbs. GCW or more with appli- cation approval. I-Shift with Crawler Gears will be available in two versions: • 14 forward gears, including one low crawler gear (19.38 ratio) and one ultra-low crawler gear (32.04 ratio) that can operate down to 0.6 mph with a 3.58 rear axle ratio. "That gives us extremely slow speeds and increased maneuverability," Long said. • 13 forward gears, including one low crawler gear (17.54 ratio). Available as an overdrive in VHD, VNX, VNM and VNL models, the I-Shift with Crawler Gears can be spec'd with D11, D13 and D16 engines. "We're going to bring fuel efficiency to the heavy haul market," Long said. All I-Shift models, which Nyberg said were spec'd in a company-record 83 percent of Volvo-powered vehicles in 2015, received revised hardware for increased durability, including an up- graded countershaft for faster shifting and improved performance. I-See system The Volvo I-See system, which works in tandem with the I-Shift transmission, also was launched in North America. Nyberg said the I-See feature learns the road's topography, memorizes it and stores it in the transmission for use the next time the driver travels the same routes. The system can store up to 4,500 different hills. The built-in electronics constantly monitor factors such as road grade, speed, weight and engine load to help maintain the most efficient gear pos- sible. When the truck is operational, it automatically uses its knowledge to save fuel during the driving cycle, op- timizing gear shifting on hilly terrain by building speed before the hill, curb- ing speed before the crest, Eco-Rolling down the hill and braking the engine if necessary. "The integration between the transmission and the engine is critical to getting the best performance and ef- ficiency possible," Moore said. "Drivers are now going to get more power for less fuel spent." The inclusion of the I-Shift with Crawler Gears in the XE Adaptive Gearing package expands XE's capa- bilities from 80,000 lbs. up to 110,000 lbs. GCW as the low-gear ratios main- tain startability and enhance slow- speed performance on softer ground, Volvo said. – Jason Cannon Volvo's one-box exhaust aftertreatment system combines the DPF with the SCR system and DEF doser into a single unit. Designed for crawler functionality and startability, Volvo's I-Shift with Crawler Gears AMT is suited for applications requiring a slow speed and maneuverabilty.