Volvo bills its new VNR tractor, which debuted publicly in April as the heir apparent to the VNM, as “the future of regional haul.”
Regional trucks rarely get the same attention to fuel economy and driver comfort as their long-haul siblings, but in the future – with lengths of haul shrinking and drivers’ cries for home-time increasing – amenities and aerodynamics get major consideration.
Chris Stadler, Volvo Trucks North America product marketing manager for regional haul, says many fleets suited for VNM trucks were opting to spec VNL tractors just to get the improved look and driver amenities. On the market for more than two decades, Volvo’s VNM tractor was dated and overdue for a refresh but VNR designers did much more than simply modernize body lines.
Available in three models – daycab (VNR 300), 42-inch flat roof sleeper (VNR 400) and 61-inch mid-roof sleeper (VNR 640) – the biggest exterior change centers around the truck’s hood, which improves sight-lines by adding four extra inches of corner visibility while also weighing-in 70 pounds lighter than the VNM hood.
Aerodynamically designed LED headlights – rated for 10,000 hours – were pulled into the front of the truck rather than mounted along the side, lessening the likelihood of damage. A redesigned grille features a new honeycomb style that optimizes airflow under the hood, and its matte chrome bezel looks pretty cool while also boosting serviceability.
The truck’s steel bumper is shaped around the truck, which further contributes to the more than 1 percent fuel economy boost from aerodynamics alone, and is equipped with removable end caps.
Updates are also plentiful inside the cab. The VNR adds two additional inches of seat travel, improving the driver’s position and lowering the hip point, which makes for a more comfortable position for smaller drivers.
