The VNL gets a new look for the coming model year, borrowing several design cues from its VNR regional-haul sister, which was introduced earlier this year as the successor to the VNM, and Volvo’s SuperTruck project.
Aerodynamic improvements – which aid in a 1 percent fuel economy gain – include repositioned, turbulence reducing air intakes, an aggressively sloped hood and tapered fenders that keep air attached to the sides of the truck as it moves rearward. Chassis fairings are moved closer to the ground, cutting the affects of crosswinds.
The hood, now tightly shrunk around the cooling package, was redesigned for both aerodynamic and visibility improvement. The center section of the truck’s aerodynamic bumper has been pulled out 1.4 inches to give the front of a truck a wedge-like design, and the sides have been brought in 4 inches to give the truck a sweeping effect.
As much thought and effort went into the tractor’s aerodynamic footprint, Volvo Trucks Product Marketing Manager Jason Spence says the new truck was principally designed around the driver.
“All along the way, drivers have had input on the design and it has influenced the direction of the design,” he says. “We have an intention when we design the truck, but we always need that feedback.”
All lights are LED, which trims power consumption while providing softer lighting, and the truck’s headlamps are the only ones on the market that have the ability to defrost themselves – a function enabled by fan motor placed in the back of the lamps that reverses flow when temperatures drop below freezing.
