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Volvo updates trucks and starts a new engine operation in Brazil

Besides adapting products to meet the new emission legislation, the manufacturer will assemble in Curitiba the 8-liter engine for the VM

By Décio Costa | Translated by Jorge Meditsch

Volvo has presented the updated FH, FM, FMX and VM with the post-treatment technology to meet the new environmental Proconve P8 regulations, equivalent to Euro 6, effective next January 1.

The brand adopted for line F the most recent version of the 13-liter D13K engine, a novelty launched in Europe at the end of last year. At the same time, it begins to assemble in the Curitiba plant in Paraná, the 8-liter D8K engine for the VM range.

The trucks become not only cleaner, but more economical. According to Volvo, considering Euro 3 as a reference, the NOx reduction reaches 90%, and the particulate materials are reduced by 92%. The 13-liter engines will save 8% in fuel consumption, while the 8-liter will save 10%, compared with the current engines.

“The consumption reduction also causes lower CO2 emissions. The improvements adopted from the end of 2014 until the beginning of 2022 provided an average 23% gain in the truck lineup”, tells Alcides Cavalcanti, Volvo Caminhões’ executive director. “In a year, it means 100 million liters less diesel or less 240 tons of CO2 in the atmosphere.

The trucks got a new electronic architecture and a more complex post-treatment system, with three catalytic converters and filter for the 13-liter engines and EGR cooled system for the 8-liter. The engines now have a technology consuming less diesel without sacrificing power and torque. In parallel, the brand is also applying the seventh generation of the I-Shift transmission, with faster and smoother gear changes.

Besides the adequation to Proconve P8, the models also received reinforcement in the active and passive safety items. From January, the trucks will carry standard stability and traction control, adaptative cruise control and stop&go function.

Among the novelties stands up the 8-liter engine for the VM range. With it, the truck will now be a purebred Volvo, completely equipped with a brand powertrain, with 290 cv and 360 cv. The lineup will also include the tractor-trailer 4×2, a model for off-road applications with the VMX 6×4 and the option of a ZF 9-speed manual transmission.

Since 2003, when the model was launched, MWM was responsible for supplying the engine to Volvo. Initially, the D8K will come from India partially assembled, with the block, crankshaft, pistons and rods, and will be finished in Curitiba. In the future, there are possibilities to expand the localization.

“Nationalize content is always seen as a strategic objective. But it is also needed to consider volume to make sense”, ponders Cavalcanti, remembering that, in 2022, the VM shall sell 6.5 thousand units only in Brazil.

The Euro 6 Volvo trucks are scheduled to enter the assembly line in January 2023, after the collective vacation, during which the company will make the changes to receive the new products.

Volvo previews an initial 20% increase in prices for all lineup. “The Euro 6 carries more electronics, expanding resources and offering more to the market”, says the executive director. “The customer perceives the value, not only regarding price but also what the product can provide.”

Photograph: Volvo