Volvo Revamps The VN
STEVE STURGESS
SENIOR EDITOR
There's much that's different about Volvo's new VN. Perhaps we should say VNs, because most of the changes impact the VNM medium and VHD vocational trucks as well as the more obvious changes to the long-hood VNL.
For one, the common chassis, identified as the 2200 in Volvo-speak, has been completely updated across all Volvo heavy truck lines.
For North America, the 2200 platform gets an additional feature: Hendrickson's Airtek /Steertek front suspension. It's the single biggest contributor to the 400-pound weight savings for the long-nose VNL.
Other big changes include the line-up of EGR engines — Volvo VE D12 V-Pulse in the 365- to 465-hp range and Cummins 15-liter ISX-EGR engines from 400 to 565 hp. Common to both are exhaust gas recirculation, with each placing additional loads on the cooling system. Hence the redesign of the VNL hood.
But there's more to it than that. All engine manufacturers concede that the recirculation of exhaust, while cleaning engines of NOx emissions, also brings a penalty of increased fuel consumption. Most predict a 2% to 4% fuel economy penalty. But Volvo has taken the opportunity in the redesign of the VN to shed not only a little weight, but also to boost the aerodynamic efficiency to win back that fuel penalty.
The new, stylish front end features a subtle air dam under the front bumper to feed air up into the new radiator openings and out to the sides for lower drag. New side openings in the hood also add to underhood airflow. Revised side skirts smooth airflow down the tractor and are much simpler to remove for service.
With the new hood, the styling of the truck has been updated with some of the "edginess" that you see in automotive circles.
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