All-new Volvo VNL - Fuel Efficiency

Volvo Trucks is completely committed to helping you meet your goals for sustainability and fuel savings. In one of our most daring efforts to date, we’ve set a new standard for what a fuel-efficient truck looks like.

Nearly every design improvement on the VNL creates greater fuel efficiency, improved performance, and reduced emissions. It’s a re-imagining of the truck’s aerodynamics, powertrain, auxiliaries, and anti-idling technologies. Are we one step closer to being the most fuel-efficient diesel truck on the road? In a word, yes.

The aerodynamic improvements alone on the new VNL series— perhaps its single biggest overhaul—will help you achieve significant increases in fuel efficiency. Our design innovations help deliver up to 10% improvement in fuel efficiency over our previous VNL model.

Let’s start at the front of the truck and dive into the hood. Behold an optimized wedge-shaped cab and shrink-wrapped hood. The wedge design creates more efficient air flow from the front of the hood to the end of the sleeper. You’ll discover that the hood has been pulled in a few inches, along with the grille. This provides a radiator opening that optimizes air flow for engine cooling and diminishes drag. Our new aerodynamic windshield was designed with a sloped A-pillar and aggressive curvature to help reduce drag and ultimately maximize fuel efficiency. The windshield is bonded into the steel cab body for better rigidity and improved airflow over and around the cab, further increasing fuel savings.

Contoured ingenuity, from bumper to fender

The VNL’s new aerodynamic bumper has a lower profile. The design guides airflow to balance aerodynamics and cooling. This lessens air turbulence, driving greater fuel efficiency without compromising stability. Look up and you’ll notice that we’ve also removed the exterior sun visor, optimizing airflow over the roof of the cab. Put simply, we conceived a bold aerodynamic strategy for the new VNL series and executed it with thoughtfulness and excellence.

The newest evolution of our VNL line of trucks features intuitive modifications that allow drivers to conquer airflow and achieve greater fuel savings.

The shape and size of hood and door mirrors have been purposefully designed to maintain sight lines while minimizing resistance and maximizing airflow. A single-arm mirror improves aerodynamics by reducing turbulence and offering more smooth cab surface area for air to travel across. An updated mirror foot and cover design optimizes airflow from the windshield to the side of the cab. And a new door handle and recessed steps help reduce drag. This is a truck that moves forward in every sense of the word.

Nothing to drag you down

Low ground effects, front wheel closeouts, and a reduced height front fender work together to lessen drag and increase fuel efficiency. New cab side fairing extensions along with side air deflectors and fixed roof extensions are yet another ingenious way to smoothly guide airflow from cab to trailer and improve overall aerodynamic performance.

We’ve improved on the FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit™ by offering new smooth, aerodynamic rear panels. Additionally, we tightened every joint tolerance on the bumper, hood, and cab, and minimized all trailer gaps to eke out even more performance.

Bringing the outside in

In the near future you’ll also have the option to fully replace side mirrors with aerodynamically-designed cameras with the soon-to-be-available Camera Monitoring System (CMS). The CMS reduces aerodynamic drag by replacing the classic side mirror view with intuitively-placed video monitors inside the cab.

Every generation of Volvo Power has been more functional, more efficient, and more groundbreaking than the last. And that’s true again with our latest powertrain advances.

But the key to great fuel efficiency has always been the same, choosing an engine and transmission that’s customized to your operations. We will always dig deep to understand your load, your route, and your operation. It’s how we can be sure that the powertrain and software settings in your VNL will provide the balance of performance and efficiency you demand.

An engine family like no other

Volvo’s family of engines takes a significant leap forward. The next-generation D13 engine recovers and harnesses lost energy, while featuring design enhancements that help you drive greater fuel savings. It’s available in five total ratings, starting at 405 HP. Two new ratings join the D13 family for the VNL: 500 HP/1850 lb-ft of torque and 500 HP/1950 lb-ft.

Powertrain enhancements create 20% of the VNL’s increase in overall fuel efficiency. Combustion improvements include a new variable-speed oil pump and a seven-wave piston design.

The magic of I-Torque

Volvo I-Torque is a unique powertrain solution enabling your VNL to operate optimally at higher road speeds. I-Torque maximizes the potential of both the D13 and Volvo I-Shift to achieve up to 8.5 miles per gallon even at maximum road speeds, depending on roads and loads. I-Torque incorporates adaptive gear shifting, map-based predictive cruise control, superior startability, and exceptionally low rear axle ratios.

A transmission in sync

The next-generation I-Shift features upgraded electronics designed to improve gear shifting performance. A new clutch delivers greater durability. The new transmission oil level sensor broadcasts information to the instrument cluster, warning the driver if the transmission oil level is low.

I-Shift is also available with 13- and 14-speed options, enabling controlled forward and reverse when steep-grade startability and low-speed maneuverability are critical. It’s yet another way to conserve fuel and reduce environmental impact.

The new VNL delivers anti-idling technology that helps you conserve fuel and achieve longer battery life. You’ll lower fuel consumption with our auto idle shutdown, which can activate in 5 minutes or less. The Volvo Parking Cooler’s battery management system monitors power storage and automatically starts the engine when a recharge is needed.

On cooler nights, there’s no need to idle. Two parking heater options are available to keep your VNL sleeper toasty without running the engine. Our 2kW (7,500 BTUs) unit focuses specifically on warming the bunk area. The 6kW (20,500 BTUs) unit is designed for cold climates, circulating heat throughout the full cab area as well as around the engine.

There’s also a heating option to reduce idling in the VNL 300 daycab. Our short-stop dieselpowered parking heater allows the driver to turn off the truck and provide heating for up to 30 minutes.