Huge 3800Nm output engine can run on vegetable oil

VOLVO Trucks has unveiled its most powerful truck engine and cleared it for takeoff for Australian buyers from July this year.

The new D17 engine was launched in the FH16 in January with a new range of horsepower ratings stretching from 600hp to 780hp. 

Volvo Trucks Australia this week said that the entire D17 power train offering with power options up to and including 780hp will be launched locally mid-2024 making the new FH16 Australia’s most powerful on-highway truck.   

Along with the added power ratings, the updated FH16 also sees a significant jump in torque.  

The 600hp variant now offers 3000Nm of torque, while the 700hp offers 3400Nm, the range topping 780hp option brings the output to 3800Nm.   

Volvo product manager Marcos Weingaertner said the engine was “a masterpiece and the result of world-class engineering.”

“The 780 version is the strongest engine in the industry. When climbing steep grades on a road with maximum loads, you don’t want to get stuck with too little torque and power,” he said.

“That is why we have focused all our efforts on making the D17 engine very powerful, reliable and responsive. 

“For our customers, this translates into getting the job done faster with improved fuel efficiency.”

The 17-litre, Euro-6 powerplant shares the same basic architecture as the 16-litre engine it replaces with the extra capacity resulting from an increase in cylinder bore.  

In pursuit of efficiency and cleaner operation, the engine also features a new fuel injection system, low friction cylinder liners as well as wave top pistons to ensure optimised combustion.  

The D17 engine has a single, high-efficiency turbocharger that boosts engine responsiveness and improves the driving experience. 

Volvo’s innovative patented wave-piston design optimises combustion and reduces emissions, while the new injection system ensures the best fuel economy, and the increased peak cylinder pressure enables high power output.

The engine brake power across the entire speed range has been greatly improved with outstanding engine response. 

This enables fast gearshifts and results in less wear and tear on the brake pads and disc brakes, while being more efficient going downhill.

The gearbox has been updated to handle up to 3800 Nm, and internal gearbox efficiency has been further improved on the 3000 Nm and 3400 Nm versions.

All power ratings are HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) compatible.  

Volvo Group Australia director of product and performance, Shayne Commons, said “a world of possibilities has been built into this engine platform.”

“Highly efficient drive trains capable of using alternative fuels will be a key part of our path to net zero emissions.”

The new D17 engine is certified to run on HVO in all power ratings. The 700hp version is also certified to run on 100 per cent biodiesel (B100). 

“More power gives us the option of gearing our trucks for more efficiency on highway, more torque means less gear changes and more top gear time,” Mr Commons said. 

“However, for the person behind the wheel, the performance of the D17 engine in the new FH16 will impress, driver feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, especially in regard to holding road speed in undulating terrain. Drivers will want to drive this FH16.”  

The new FH16 and D17 engine will be available to order for Australian customers from July 2024.  

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