Volvo’s Tough Tech Truck

A bold grill and striking swept-back fenders give the new Volvo VNR tractor a bold, big-truck vibe with real-world aerodynamic and visibility benefits. Photo: Jack Roberts

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With all the industry buzz today focused on autonomous tech and futuristic designs, trucks still need to work hard in tough surroundings. That’s a theme clearly on display with Volvo’s new VNR tractor. The truck targets the rapidly evolving regional-haul business model, but this is not a radical design by any means. Rather, the truck is more of a distillation of everything Volvo has learned over decades of vehicle design, combined with the latest in ergonomics, connectivity, and advanced technology. The result is a highly capable urban delivery system that is optimized for uptime, productivity, and safety.

I just completed a route through the center of Winston-Salem, N.C., in a new VNR to see for myself how Volvo is approaching the increasing demands of inner-city delivery demands. The truck itself is loaded with new technology. But the new tech isn’t overwhelming or even all that evident while you’re driving. It’s more accurate to say Volvo engineers have scaled the technology in a way that consistently compliments or aids a driver, as opposed to demanding their attention or attempting to do tasks for them.

Volvo engineers started with the basics. The VNR features outstanding sight lines anywhere a driver looks. Normally, when I talk about sight lines, I’m referring to exterior views to the front, sides and rear of a truck. But Volvo has taken this a step further with the introduction of a new, tilt-neck steering wheel.

It’s a pretty slick system all the way around. Depress a foot pedal at the base of the steering column all the way to the floor and the wheel assembly easily pivots up or down, as well as in or out, …Read the rest of this story

Source:: http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/equipment/article/story/2017/06/volvo-s-tough-tech-truck.aspx