Volvo unveils new class 8 truck platform, The VNL

January 23, 2024

Volvo Trucks North America has introduced its new Class 8 truck platform, The VNL. This will be the platform for all upcoming technologies, including battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks.

They mentioned it includes over-the-air updates and Volvo Connect, an all-in-one fleet management portal.

The active safety features introduced in the new Volvo VNL and the change from 12-volt to 24-volt electrical architecture will be the standard for the future of trucking, including the commercialization of fully autonomous trucks. It also has a redefined aerodynamic design, including a wedge-shaped cab and a dramatically reshaped windshield.

The new Volvo VNL also introduces a suite of advanced safety features. The Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus with Pilot Assist, powered by Volvo Dynamic Steering, enhances maneuverability, stability, and responsiveness to various road conditions and hazardous situations. The new pedestrian and cyclist detection feature adds an extra layer of safety, alerting drivers to potential hazards and activating automatic emergency braking when objects are directly in front of the truck.

This flagship model has been re-engineered from the ground up by its U.S. team over six years, to address the dynamic challenges of North American freight transport.

The Volvo VNL features numerous next-generation enhancements to drive productivity, safety, profitability, and sustainability. The company has invested $400 million in a state-of-the-art cab plant for the Volvo VNL next to its New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.