Volvo Trucks North America has completely reimagined and reengineered its Class 8, heavy-duty VNL, following six years of intensive research and dedicated product development. Tailored to address the dynamic challenges of the North American freight transport sector, the all-new Volvo VNL features hundreds of next generation enhancements.

The new VNL features striking aerodynamics and is engineered to achieve a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 10%, The new Volvo VNL will be the platform for upcoming technologies, including battery-electric, fuel cell, and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels, including hydrogen.

To achieve its fuel efficiency improvements, the new VNL features a redefined aerodynamic design and the latest-generation D13 engine paired with the I-Shift automated manual transmission featuring up to 30% faster shift speeds and the I-Torque powertrain solution.

The active safety features introduced in the new Volvo VNL, with the change from 12-volt to 24-volt electrical architecture, will allow commercialisation of fully autonomous trucks. Engineers have introduced a suite of available advanced safety features, including Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus with Pilot Assist. The new pedestrian and cyclist detection feature adds an extra layer of safety, alerting drivers to potential hazards and activating automatic emergency braking when objects are directly in front of the truck.

The new Volvo VNL cab, constructed from high-strength steel, will also offer a side-curtain airbag, with options for driver-only or driver and passenger airbags, a North American industry first. E-Call, an innovative new safety feature, connects the driver to emergency services where cellular connectivity is available and provides precise location details. This occurs automatically in the event of a rollover crash or airbag deployment.

Inside, the VNL prioritises comfort, efficiency, and safety for drivers during work as well as rest and non-driving times.

The Global Rear Air Suspension (GRAS) system, in conjunction with Volvo Dynamic Steering and Smart Suspension software, offers superior ride quality, stability, and handling, reducing fatigue across diverse conditions.

“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.