Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/893962
22 | Overdrive October 2017 Logbook Shell's concept rig could see test run in early 2018 Shell's futuristic concept tractor-trail- er, the Starship Initiative, is nearing completion and could perform a cross-country efficiency test run as ear- ly as the first quarter of 2018. The rig, being built by AirFlow Truck Co., aims to combine existing lightweighting and aerodynamic technologies to create the world's most efficient truck as measured by freight-ton efficiency, said Bob Sliwa, head of AirFlow and the project's chief designer. Bob Mainwaring, tech- nology manager for Shell's Innovation segment, pointed to the truck's front end, the tractor-trailer gap closure sys- tems, aerodynamic skirts that run around the entire truck and trailer, the trailer's tail and under-the-tractor aero systems. Together, those features "halve the aero drag of the vehicle compared to the standard U.S. truck today," he said. Also, the truck's cab is made of carbon fiber, "which is ridiculously light," Mainwar- ing said. There's no mpg target for the truck's cross-country test run likely to occur early next year, said Megan Pino, global brand manager for Shell Rotella. – James Jaillet EATON CUMMINS Automated Transmission Technologies debuted its Endurant 12-speed automated transmission. With ratings up to 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, Endurant will be matched with Cummins' X15 Efficiency Series engines rated up to 510 hp beginning this month for Peterbilt's Model 579 and Kenworth's T680. Peterbilt and Kenworth also will offer a variant of the Endurant for Paccar's MX engine line. Shell's Starship, shown here mod- el-sized, is intended to break new ground in terms of saving fuel through lightweighting and aerodynamics. VDO and RoadLog – Trademarks of the Continental Corporation www.vdoroadlog.com The Mandate is coming up fast. We've got you covered. VDO RoadLog ™ offers simple, affordable solutions for FMCSA ELD mandate compliance. • VDO certified and FMCSA registered. • Available with no monthly fees. • Built-in printer to get through inspections faster – no data transfer hassles. • Backed by Continental, a leader in compliance systems, with over five million ELDs in use worldwide. You've got the driving covered. Leave the mandate to us. www.vdoroadlog.com (855)-ROADLOG roadlog-sales@vdo.com You've got the driving covered. FMCSA VDO CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE Visit us at AAPEX Booth 2626 CO4396 OVERDRIVE_RoadLog_ELD Mandate_HalfIsl_10-17_v1.1.indd 1 9/6/17 9:42 AM Untitled-37 1 9/6/17 2:23 PM