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All-new Volvo VNL Class 8 tractor loads up on car-like features

A few months ago, we wrote about the public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and Class 8 truck makers to create concepts called SuperTrucks. The four manufacturers involved designed lighter, more aerodynamic, and more fuel-frugal trucks to hit escalating freight efficiency targets in each phase of the program. Daimler, Navistar, Peterbilt, and Volvo spent the past 18 months showing the results of the SuperTruck 2 phase while work gets going on SuperTruck 3. This month, Volvo becomes the first of that group to debut an all-new truck incorporating lessons learned in the SuperTruck program. Starting with a clean sheet of paper, the new Volvo VNL is said to be as much as 10% more fuel efficient than before, a stat to get fleet managers and owner-operators to pay attention. Even carmakers tout a 10% increase in fuel economy, and the benefit — like the size — is so much larger in trucks. Let's keep it easy and say a solo driver does 100,000 miles in a year in a truck that averages 7 miles per gallon. That driver needs 14,286 gallons of diesel to do those miles; at $4 per gallon, that's $57,144. If the VNL driver gets 10% better fuel economy and his truck returns 7.7 miles per gallon, this driver only needs 12,987 gallons of diesel, and pays only $51,948. Tell a fleet manager they can save $5,000 per truck, and assuming a sensible purchase price and consistent reliability costs, that fleet manager is going to want to set up a meeting. Just as with car redesigns, a lot of little changes went into this, some we'll recognize from the car world. The VNL's cab adopts a stronger wedge shape and sharper corners. Instead of the usual large, flat windshield sealed with a gasket, the new VNL gets a curved windshield bonded to the body. Tighter gaps between exterior components like the bumper and hood leave fewer spaces for turbulent, draggy air to develop. Volvo also reworked the area behind the cab to reduce one of the greatest aerodynamic maelstroms, the gap between cab and trailer. The D13 engine up front is said to be more fuel efficient and more durable, offering a range of outputs from 405 to 500 horsepower and from 1,748 to 1,947 pound-feet of torque. Considering that the first VNL generation lasted 22 years before a major redesign, from 1996 to 2018, Volvo incorporated powertrain flexibility into this one.

Volvo and Polestar Range Assistant app promises more range for EVs

Volvo and Polestar just released a new app for their EVs that promises to help optimize driving range. It’s called “Range Assistant,” and itÂ’s coming as an over-the-air update to the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2. The Volvo C40 Recharge will have it built into the car from the factory. ItÂ’s exclusive to EVs and Volvo/Polestar products running the Android Automotive infotainment system. Volvo says the app has a range-optimizer functionality that automatically adjusts the climate control to improve range. ItÂ’ll also coach drivers with driving style and speed recommendations to increase range on longer trips. The app also comes with passive forms of range improvements. Volvo claims itÂ’ll help better manage battery and regeneration performance. Plus, it has a “smarter timer to precondition the batteries.” For example, when you input a charging destination into Google Maps, the car will automatically precondition the batteries to be ready for maximum charging speed by the time you arrive. ThereÂ’s more data for the driver to scan, too, as Volvo provides greater detail on the available range and real-time energy consumption. Volvo doesnÂ’t put a number or percentage on the range increase that drivers may experience with this new app, but does claim that range will go up because of it. In addition to the new app, Volvo says this latest OTA update includes “further improvements on the safety systems, new information about cold climate impact on battery range and various bug fixes.”  The app is scheduled to be rolled out to the applicable vehicles by the end of October. Its functionality will come baked into the complimentary four-year Volvo Care Package that all Volvo EVs automatically get. Of course, after those four years, youÂ’ll be on the hook for the data connection cost and package fee. Note that the Range Assistant appears to be tied up into this package, and while it wonÂ’t incur a separate fee, youÂ’ll need it and the data connection to take advantage of it after so many years. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

8 car technologies designed to keep you safe

Technologies are always advancing forward, especially in your vehicle. As more safety technologies are being introduced into the market, it can be hard to keep track of everything. So here are 8 technologies designed to keep you safe on the road. Want more coverage? Head over to http://bit.ly/2CcOngW Ford Kia Mercedes-Benz Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Volvo Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video FCA automatic emergency braking