Not resting on their laurels (50 Years in Malaysia yo!), Volvo Trucks have announced that they are introducing new truck software functions and upgraded engines to help logistics companies and their drivers save even more fuel. According to this bit of news we heard, the upgraded Volvo D13 series of turbodiesel engines in Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5 and Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) markets will be able gain up to 3% worth of fuel savings even if the drivers aren't utilising cruise control.
This is quite an achievement in this case as they are actually spending some extra research and development on even their Euro 3 engines, which only cater to third world markets and ahem, Malaysia (even some other less developed countries are on Euro 5). It is great news that Volvo Trucks is quite holistic in their development and that they do care about the environment by making our trucks save a bit of fuel even though we still pump out a bit more sulphur into the air. Let's just take whatever benefits we can along the way folks.
The upgrades to the software of the 13,000cc engine relates to a new function called Volvo Torque Assist. It is said to reduce fuel consumption by providing more efficient driving when the cruise control is disabled in long haul operations. Volvo Torque Assist is designed to give more fuel-efficient driving by automatically adapting the truck’s torque and acceleration to the road topography, the load and speed changes. The function is only active when driving without using cruise control.
Another supporting function of Volvo Torque Assist is that it will tell the engine to keep the amount of injected fuel constant after the engine’s ‘green range’* has been passed. According to Volvo Trucks, this compromises performance a little but compensates by improving fuel economy. Most likely marginal as the D13 engine is immensely torquey and the effect may not be felt by the driver.
In terms of the actual hardware, or engine upgrades to the Euro 3,4,5 & EEV D13 engines, they actually benefit from a trickle down effect from the Euro 6 Step D versions of the D13 engine, which was released earlier in 2019. Internal friction has been reduced with
The new upgrades to the D13 include new cylinder liners and new V-shaped oil scraper rings. Turbo efficiency has been improved and the engine management system is upgraded to a newer version with better capacity - which is also why they can stuff in the new software mentioned above.
According to Volvo Trucks, these hardware upgrades save around 1% fuel, while the fuel saving potential for the new software depends on driver experience and the operating conditions which make up the rest totaling up to 3% as stated above.
“The new software and engine upgrades are introduced to help our customers optimise on fuel consumption and at the same time, save costs. This is important because we understand that fuel costs can make up one of the biggest chunks of a company’s overall operational cost. With today’s challenging business environment, it is understandable that logistics companies everywhere are constantly looking for cost effective ways to operate more efficiently and stay competitive,” said Mitch Peden, Managing Director, Volvo Malaysia.
“Our goal at Volvo Trucks is to offer the most fuel-efficient trucks, anchored with a strategy that revolves around satisfied and productive customers, and these constant upgrades to our trucks portray the strong commitment that we have towards helping our customers’ business succeed,” Added Peden.
Anyway, operators here in Malaysia can benefit from these upgrades - Both the software and hardware upgrades are applicable for new truck orders encompassing the Volvo FH, FM and FMX models for customers in Malaysia.
Upgraded software
A key feature in the software upgrade is the new function called Volvo Torque Assist
which is intended to reduce fuel consumption by providing more efficient driving when
the cruise control is disabled in long haul operations.
Volvo Torque Assist is designed to give more fuel-efficient driving by automatically
adapting the truck’s torque and acceleration to the road topography, the load and speed
changes. The function is only active when driving without using cruise control.
Another supporting function of this feature is that it keeps the amount of injected fuel
constant after the engine’s ‘green range’* has been passed. The slightly compromised
performance is compensated by improved fuel economy.
In addition, the pedal map has also been recalibrated. A less sensitive pedal creates a
smoother torque development, which, in turn, makes the truck easier to control and keep
vehicle speed.
“The new software gives a more significant result with heavy loads, many slope changes
or large speed variations, while drivers transporting lighter loads with constant speed on
flat roads will save less fuel. Drivers who are less skilled or trained in economical
driving can benefit from these upgrades. In field tests, we have actually seen examples
of a larger potential for fuel savings than the 3%,” explains Peter Hardin, Director
Product Management at Volvo Truck.
Upgraded hardware
The hardware upgrades in the Euro 6 Step D versions of the D13 engine, released earlier
in 2019, are also being used to raise the standards of the Euro 3 to 5 engines. Internal
friction has been reduced with new cylinder liners and new V-shaped oil scraper rings.
The turbo efficiency has been improved and the engine management system is upgraded
to a newer version with better capacity.
In all, these hardware upgrades save around 1% fuel, while the fuel saving potential for
the new software depends on driver experience and the operating conditions.
Volvo Trucks believes that smarter and more fuel-efficient trucks are becoming a
necessity for ensuring a sustainable future, and that technology, product and human
behaviour must work together to make it happen. Its driver development programme
which has been continuosly offered to all customers helps drivers learn about fuel-
efficient driving techniques. This programme also educates drivers about the significant
co-relation of fuel-efficient driving and enhanced safety on the road, and how they play
a very important role for the entire ecosystem.
* In vehicles such as tractors and trucks, the tachometer often has a green arc showing the speed range in which the engine produces maximum torque. The green range of Volvo Trucks can be from 1050 – 1600 rpm depending on engine types.
News - 2019 Motoring Malaysia
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