Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/856429
54 | Overdrive | August 2017 V olvo introduced the first major overhaul of its flagship long- haul model, the VNL, since the VN model was introduced in 1996. The truck is "infused with new inno- vations and technologies," said Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America, during the unveiling at Volvo's New River Valley manufacturing facility in Dublin, Va. The new VNL shares many design cues with its VNR regional-haul sibling that was introduced in April to replace the VNM. The VNL will be available in five cab configurations, including day- cab, 40-inch flat-roof, 70-inch mid-roof and 70- and 77-inch high-roof options. "For 19 years, the VNL 670 was the volume leader in our long-haul seg- ment," said Jason Spence, Volvo Trucks product marketing manager – long haul. "That 61-inch high-roof sleeper will be replaced by the [70-inch] VNL 760, which will be our new high-volume long-haul model." The tractor will be available in three different fuel economy packages capable of delivering a 7.5 percent improvement over the current Volvo VNL XE fuel-efficiency spec. The powertrain improvements account for 6.5 percent fuel efficiency: 5.5 percent from a turbocompound option for the D13 engine, available in 2018, and 1 percent from a 2.47:1 rear axle ratio. Aerodynamic improvements add 1 per- cent fuel economy. Volvo's redesigned VNL, brimming with "innovations and technologies," sports aerodynamic and other fuel-efficiency improvements as the VN series moves into its third decade. Volvo's long-haul leader reborn BY JEFF CRISSEY A cabin control cluster on the rear wall, ambient LED lighting and an optional reclining bunk add to driver comfort during rest periods.