Volvo Trucks North America is reimagining the Class 8 truck with a re-engineered Volvo VNL tractor developed by its U.S. team over the past six years. OEM leaders said it will be the base platform for current and future transportation technologies—from diesel to renewable fuels.
The newly designed VNL, available in six cab configurations, was designed for fuel efficiency, safety, driver productivity, connected services, and uptime. VTNA leaders said it would open order books by April for the new VNL, which will be produced at the Volvo Trucks New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia, with first deliveries during the second half of 2024.
“This is our most innovative, fuel-efficient, and safest truck ever,” Peter Voorhoeve, VTNA president, said during the OEM’s virtual unveiling of the vehicle Jan. 23 during a YouTube live stream. “From our aerodynamics and performance improvements, best-in-class driver environment to our new industry-leading proprietary active safety systems, with the new Volvo VNL we are introducing the platform for all our future technologies such as battery electric fuel cell and autonomous trucks.
“Products that address and meet our sustainability goals to transition towards a decarbonized transport solution.”
New Volvo VNL features
The new Volvo VNL, designed for long-haul trucking, will be packaged into four exterior and interior trim levels—Core, Edge, Edge Black, and Ultimate—with six cab configurations, including a day cab option:
- VNL 300 Day Cab
- VNL 440 42-inch Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 640 62-inch Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 660 62-inch Full-Height Sleeper
- VNL 840 74-inch Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 860 74-inch Full-Height Sleeper
Engine and transmission options
The latest generation D13 engine powers the new Volvo VNL in four horsepower ratings, ranging from 405 to 500hp, and three torque ratings from 1,750 to 1,950 lb-ft of torque.
These different power options aim to suit different applications and incorporate an optimized I-Shift transmission featuring up to 30% faster shift speeds.
VNL sets up Volvo Trucks’ journey to zero
The new VNL is a significant step for Volvo Trucks’ global journey toward zero emissions and zero accidents, Voorhoeve said.
Voorhoeve said the Volvo VNL will be the platform for emerging transportation technologies, including battery-electric, fuel cell, and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels, including hydrogen. The VNL also features what Volvo Trucks said is the first 24-volt electrical infrastructure in North American trucking that supports VTNA's active safety features and will be standard for future autonomous trucks.
The 24-volt architecture will help minimize battery and electrical failures and improve serviceability when pinpointing and repairing electrical issues. A new linear exhaust aftertreatment system will be easier to service and deliver better DEF treatment for an even cleaner system.
Voorhoeve said the new truck was basically redesigned and built from scratch. “We’ve listened to our customers here in North America, and we’ve looked at the requirements here in North America for the next coming decades, and we put all that into the truck behind us,” he said while sitting in front of a VNL model during a media during a Q&A session following the public launch.
“This truck is designed to change everything,” the VTNA leader said. “It will set new standards in the transport industry, new standards for fuel efficiency, new standards for safety, new standards for driver productivity, new standards for uptime, and connectivity.”
Read more at FleetOwner.com, a Bulk Transporter affiliate.
About the Author
Josh Fisher
Technology Editor
FleetOwner Editor-in-Chief Josh Fisher has been with Endeavor's Commercial Vehicle Group since 2017, covering everything from modern fleet management to operational efficiency, artificial intelligence, autonomous trucking, regulations, and emerging transportation technology. He is based in Maryland.