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Volvo Trucks announces XE11 fuel efficiency package for 11L North American engines; up to 3% improvement in fuel efficiency

Volvo Trucks expanded its XE (exceptional efficiency, earlier post) powertrain package lineup with the introduction of XE11 for its 11-liter Volvo D11 engine. Available on Volvo VNM and VNL models and rated up to 80,000 lbs. GCWR, XE11 is suited for less-than-truckload, distribution, bulk haul and other regional applications. The powertrain package improves fuel efficiency by up to 3%.

Volvo first introduced XE packages for its 13-liter D13 and 16-liter D16 engines. To date, more than 24% of all Volvo-powered trucks ordered in 2013 also feature XE powertrain packages. The XE11 package includes the following components:

  • Volvo D11 engine with 405 horsepower rating and 1,550 lb-ft (2,102 N·m) of torque

  • Volvo 12-speed automated I-Shift overdrive transmission with a 0.78:1 ratio

  • Axle ratios of 2.64 to 2.80

  • Proprietary software that facilitates communication between Volvo’s integrated powertrain components.

Like our XE13 and XE16 options, XE11 ensures that the engine runs in its sweet spot without wavering at any road speed. 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.John Moore, Volvo Trucks powertrain product manager

XE packages improve fuel efficiency by lowering 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, XE allows the engine to cruise about 200 rpm less than the average truck sold today.

Fuel efficiency improves by about 1.5% for every 100 rpm of downspeeding, so customers spec’ing the XE package can expect up to a 3 percent improvement when compared with another overdrive transmission in a similar operation.

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