Volvo Trucks has expanded its exceptional efficiency (XE) fuel efficiency package to include its 11L D11 engine. The XE11 package, available on Volvo VNM and VNL models rated up to 80,000 lbs. GCWR, improves fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
“Demand for XE powertrain packages continues to grow as customers increasingly look to combat fuel costs through optimized truck specifications,” said Gӧran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales & marketing. “XE11 delivers a proven strategy for reducing fuel consumption.”
The XE11 package includes:
- Volvo D11 engine with 405 hp. rating and 1,550 lbs.-ft. of torque
- Volvo I-Shift overdrive transmission with a 0.78:1 ratio
- Axle ratios of 2.64 to 2.80
- Proprietary software that facilitates seamless communication between Volvo’s integrated powertrain components.
The XE packages were first introduced for the Volvo 13L D13 and 16L D16 engines. More than 24% of all Volvo-powered trucks ordered in 2013 featured XE powertrain packages, the company said.
“Like our XE13 and XE16 options, XE11 ensures that the engine runs in its sweet spot without wavering at any road speed,” said John Moore, Volvo Trucks powertrain product manager. “The intelligent Volvo I-Shift, coupled with XE’s proprietary software, controls the engine to maintain rpm as low as 1,150 while cruising at 65 mph.”
XE packages work to improve fuel efficiency by lowering engine rpm at a given vehicle speed, what Volvo calls downspeeding. The combination of Volvo’s I-Shift automated manual transmission and a Volvo engine with modified software allows the XE package to set the engine cruise speed about 200 rpm less than the average truck sold today.
Fuel efficiency improves by about 1.5 percent for every 100 rpm of downspeeding, Volvo said.
