Sep 27, 2011 10:57 AM

Already delivering up to an 8% fuel efficiency improvement over EPA 2007 engines, Volvo Trucks announced a powertrain package for its VN series tractors aimed at reducing fuel consumption.

The new XE13 (exceptional efficiency) powertrain package lowers engine rpm at a given vehicle speed, a concept Volvo calls “downspeeding.” Possible through the combination of Volvo’s I-Shift automated manual transmission and a Volvo engine with modified software, XE13 allows the engine to cruise at 1150 rpm at 65 mph—about 200 rpm less than the average truck.

“Historically, we’ve seen a slow progression toward a lower ‘sweet spot,’ with the 1300- to 1500-rpm range as the current industry standard,” said Ed Saxman, Volvo Trucks product manager–powertrain. “The engine with the XE13 package has a sweet spot of 1050 to 1500 rpm. Customers gain about a 1.5% fuel efficiency improvement for every 100 rpm of downspeeding, so fleets that spec XE13 can expect up to a 3% improvement when compared to another overdrive transmission in a similar operation.”

The XE13 package is rated up to 80,000 pounds (GCWR) and includes these components:

•Volvo D13 engine with 425 horsepower and 1750 lb-ft of torque •I-Shift overdrive transmission with a 0.78:1 ratio •Axle ratios of 2.64 to 2.69 •Proprietary software that facilitates seamless communication between Volvo’s integrated powertrain components Access www.volvotrucks.us.com for more details.