Volvo Trucks North America has launched a reimagined Volvo VNL for heavy-duty trucking operations. The all-new Volvo VNL is equipped with next-generation features to support safety and sustainability.
This truck is designed to meet the challenges and demands of the North American market.
“The all-new Volvo VNL was designed to change everything. However, change doesn’t only come with a redesigned truck — this product introduction is the start of a new era for Volvo Trucks, our customers, and their drivers — a quantum leap forward,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America.
“We started this project with a blank sheet of paper and thoroughly analyzed the trends and transformations that will impact the industry and our customers’ needs, including the sustainability and transportation demands of the future. When we launched the first generation of the Volvo VN in 1996, its ‘unconventional’ aerodynamic body style set a new standard for the North American trucking industry. We did the unthinkable in 2007 when we introduced the I-Shift in North America and spurred the industry’s transition toward automated manual transmissions. As we bring the all-new Volvo VNL to market, we are excited to once again introduce innovations that will shape the future of the transportation industry for years to come.”
Performance
The Volvo VNL has an angular, wedge-shaped cab design and a redesigned windshield. Additional aerodynamic gains were created from the integration of the curved and bonded windshield, tighter clearances around turbulent air areas like wheel openings, the bumper and the hood, chassis fairings and promoting a tighter trailer gap. These designs, all components of the aerodynamic gains, were developed and tested in parallel with Volvo Trucks’ SuperTruck 2.
This truck is powered by the latest generation D13 engine. The D13 engine is available in four horsepower ratings, ranging from 405 to 500 hp and three torque ratings from 1,750 to 1,950 lb,-ft. of torque. These different power options are designed for different applications and incorporate the I-Shift transmission.
Safety Features
Several active safety systems are offered with the new Volvo VNL, including Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus with Pilot Assist which provides active lane centering. Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus is powered by Volvo Dynamic Steering which supports maneuvering at all speeds, including more controlled backing, increases stability at all road speeds and adapts and corrects for crosswinds, highway crowning, soft shoulders or emergency situations like tire failure. The new pedestrian detection feature alerts the driver when a pedestrian or bicyclist may be in their path or blind spots and will activate frontal automatic emergency braking for objects directly in the path of travel.
Passive safety systems offered in the new Volvo VNL include the bonded and wrapped windshield providing panoramic views. This not only improves aerodynamics for the Volvo VNL, but it also improves visibility for drivers, bolstering safety and reducing wind noise in the cab. The cab of the new Volvo VNL is designed according to Volvo Trucks’ leading crash test standards and will offer a side-curtain airbag, with options for driver-only or driver and passenger airbags.
Cabs are constructed of high-strength steel to deflect the energy of a crash to reduce the chance of injury. Additionally, Volvo Trucks’ flared frame rails allow the powertrain to drop down below the cab to protect the driver. E-Call, an innovative new safety feature, connects the driver to emergency services where cellular connectivity is available and provides location details. This occurs automatically in the event of a rollover crash or airbag deployment.
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Driver-Centric Design
A new, optional air suspension system, GRAS (Global Rear Air Suspension), uses dual leveling rods to reduce roll and pitch angles, improve lateral stability and minimize road shocks, maintaining a constant ride height. The GRAS system offers ride quality, stability and handling for the new Volvo VNL. The GRAS and the supporting Volvo Smart Suspension software work with the Volvo Dynamic Steering system to provide steering control regardless of load, terrain, road condition and varying engine torque levels. GRAS with Volvo Smart Suspension is designed with three different settings to adjust the suspension for different loading and unloading conditions.
The new Volvo VNL features Volvo Trucks’ idle management tool to help reduce or eliminate engine idling when the vehicle is stopped or parked. The new proprietary, integrated Volvo Parking Cooler is a climate-control option that utilizes the onboard 24-volt battery system to power the cab’s HVAC when parked, reducing emissions, engine wear and fuel costs. The Volvo Parking Cooler enhances the resting experience by eliminating noise and vibration from idling. For drivers parked in areas where idling is prohibited, the integrated Volvo Parking Cooler maintains climate.
The new Volvo VNL features several amenities, including an optional folding bunk to allow access to the dinette space, a singular multi-functional control panel in the back of the cab, upgraded insulation for climate control and noise reduction, a larger refrigerator and enough power options to support devices.
Connectivity with Integrated Digital Solutions
The integrated Volvo Connect, an all-in-one fleet management portal, houses Volvo Trucks’ digital services under one platform, including vehicle data insights, diagnostics, remote programming, fuel economy reports, safety reports and location services. A complimentary 24-month Volvo Connect subscription comes standard with all new Volvo trucks.
With the new Volvo MyTruck app, drivers can stay in touch with their truck by seeing their estimated remaining fuel range, DEF levels and coolant levels as well as receiving notifications about potential issues such as light malfunctions, low washer fluid levels and other important items so they can address them at rest breaks or in their pre-trip inspection. Additionally, with the MyTruck app, drivers can schedule specific days and times to start climate control to have the cabin climate reach their preferred temperature before arriving to their truck to start their workday.
Uptime
The Blue Service Contract, an optional, comprehensive dealer managed service plan, leverages Volvo’s connected services. By utilizing Volvo’s connected services, dealers have real-time data when maintenance is due and diagnostic information for detected fault codes. This enables the customer to schedule service in advance and have dealers perform remote programming updates to maintain the health of the truck and prevent unplanned downtime. During dealer afterhours, Volvo Trucks’ Uptime Center continues to remotely monitor the truck and will alert plan subscribers if any critical issues arise.
Volvo Trucks North America’s new 24-volt electrical architecture helps to minimize battery and electrical failures and improve serviceability when it comes to pinpointing and repairing electrical issues. A new linear exhaust aftertreatment system delivers DEF treatment for a clean system.
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Packaging Options
Volvo Trucks has introduced packaging options for powertrain and safety. Customers can choose a powertrain package for their application or goals by selecting from three powertrain packages that feature the Volvo D13 engine with five different horsepower and torque ratings available. Additionally, customers can select from several safety packages, allowing the truck to be equipped with the appropriate technology to meet fleet safety goals of protecting drivers, those around the trucks and assets.
The all-new Volvo VNL is packaged into four exterior and interior trim levels — Core, Edge, Edge Black and Ultimate — with six cab configurations.
Cab Configurations
- VNL 300 Day Cab
- VNL 440 42-in. Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 640 62-in. Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 660 62-in. Full-Height Sleeper
- VNL 840 74-in. Mid-Roof Sleeper
- VNL 860 74-in. Full-Height Sleeper
New Configurator Tool
To explore the new Volvo VNL features and trim levels in an interactive way, Volvo Trucks has developed a new online Volvo VNL configurator. The configurator provides detailed information on the features and benefits of each trim level and cab option, as well as a 360-degree view of the truck interior and exterior.
Transitioning to the New Volvo VNL
Training will be available to dealer sales staff to enable them to consult with customers on Volvo VNL configurations for their respective transport applications. Dealers’ service representatives have access to competency development, with e-learning and in-person instructor-led courses from Volvo Academy, to be fully trained to support the new Volvo VNL when trucks start to arrive at dealerships.
“Progressive solutions are needed to help tackle the challenges of the transportation industry, including the need for increased productivity and efficiency while also reducing emissions. Companies must prioritize driver retention and well-being with driver-friendly features and advanced technologies, providing an exceptional driving experience that is key for fleets to attract and retain drivers,” said Voorhoeve.
“With an interior and exterior design that stops you in your tracks, every innovation introduced in the all-new Volvo VNL was made with the goal to make a driver’s job a little easier and safer and provide a new level of customer value. As we completely reimagined the Volvo VNL, we looked at the future of transportation and saw an opportunity to set new industry standards and sustainably shape the world we want to move.”
