The new Volvo VHD series offers the latest in safety and uptime solutions for vocational applications
Volvo Trucks is calling its new VHD the “most significant evolution” of the manufacturer’s vocational truck offering in decades.
The new vocational series combines structural upgrades with technological and innovative advances to build on the new Volvo VHD’s durability, versatility and productivity.
“The new Volvo VHD looks every bit as capable as it is, designed to bring new energy into the vocational market,” said John Felder, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America.
“Everything we’ve done to improve the model to make it more versatile and reliable also extends the life of the vehicle and increases driver productivity, safety and comfort. Drivers will love this truck because it makes hard work easy. It’s the perfect example of tougher made smarter.”
A new look for Volvo VHD
The new Volvo VHD features an updated exterior, delivering a modern look that reflects other models in the Volvo Trucks family.
The Volvo VHD has a new grille design, as well as new LED high and low beam headlights. The fully sealed headlamp component offers a brighter, more focused beam for increased visibility. As well, an available de-icing feature burns through ice and snow that accumulates on headlamps in cold weather.
Safety and productivity features for the vocational industry include Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) and the next generation of Volvo Active Driver Assist (VADA).
The VDS system delivers a safer, more comfortable driver experience by adding torque to reduce steering strain at low speeds and remove vibrations caused by rough terrain.
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Volvo Active Driver Assist combines camera and radar sensors to detect metallic objects and vehicles that are stationary or vehicles braking in front of the truck. If a metallic object of size is detected, audible and visual warnings are made to alert the driver, including red warning light flashes reflected on the windshield.
Warnings are displayed up to 3 seconds before an imminent impact with the stationary object. If the system recognizes the stationary object as a vehicle, and the driver does not take action, Volvo Active Driver Assist will automatically alert the driver and engage the brakes to help the driver mitigate the potential collision. Braking assist is available at speeds greater than 25 km per hour.
As well, a new, heavy duty VHD bumper features a 45 mm tow pin rated for a 38,387 kg capacity. Responding to customer requests, the tow pin allows for a quick pull out of sticky situations thereby increasing uptime and drivers’ peace of mind.
Inside the cab, Volvo Trucks has improved driver comfort and productivity. For example, the truck’s ignition has been moved to the lower left-hand side of the dash, while the steering wheel buttons are more touch-friendly and clustered intuitively to help drivers feel more confident.
I-Shift transmission
Volvo I-Shift transmission with crawler gears adds one or two gears to the 12-speed transmission. This enables the VHD to start on steep grades, provide low-speed control and reach maximum highway speeds with faster rear axle ratios.
When startability and maneuverability are critical, I-Shift with crawler gears offers the highest weight capacity in an automated manual transmission. It enables controlled forward and reverse travel at extremely slow speeds.
Volvo T-Ride suspension delivers a comfortable ride under demanding conditions by applying constant pressure on the wheels to create sure-footed traction. The Volvo T-ride suspension also offers a new ride stiffness option for mixers and trucks with wing plows.
Connectivity
The latest in connectivity solutions such as Remote Programming and Remote Diagnostics allow customers to use real data insights to make the right decisions for increased safety and truck productivity.
Remote Programming eliminates the need to remove trucks from service in order to update powertrain control unit software by enabling software updates over-the-air using Volvo Trucks’ telematics platform. Updates are available anywhere in Canada or the United States.
Standard in every new Volvo truck, Remote Diagnostics helps avoid unexpected downtime by offering a range of unique benefits. The system helps avoid unexpected downtime by monitoring the truck’s Volvo engine, I-Shift and aftertreatment 24 hours a day.
Volvo Truck’s Uptime Center in Greensboro, North Carolina is home to 400 specialists that look at the cause of a fault code as well as review the data from before and after an event.
“For years, the Volvo VHD has been one of the most capable and versatile trucks on the jobsite. We listened to our customers, and are proud to showcase the newly updated VHD with the same class-leading features and technological innovations our customers expect from a Volvo truck with relevant and important updates that benefit the functional needs of vocational applications,” Felder said.
“At Volvo Trucks, we continue to improve our product offerings and we have done so for an already tough vocational truck model. Now, this smarter and more innovative VHD for the vocational market raises the bar on what it takes to be an all-around great work truck.”
