Volvo Trucks North America Unveils VNR Tractor Redesign
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Volvo Trucks North America unveiled the first large-scale overhaul of its VNR regional haul tractor March 10 at American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting, proclaiming a 90% redesign of the previous iteration.
Key advances include an up to 7.5% improvement in fuel efficiency, upgraded safety systems and a tighter turning radius for navigating urban routes, the Volvo Group unit said.
Powertrain enhancements account for nearly 30% of the fuel efficiency improvement, in accordance with VTNA launching a new engine, the D13 VGT diesel. The updated VNR will offer VGT engines with between 405 horsepower and 455 hp and 1,450 pound-feet and 1,850 pound-feet of torque.
The D11 and D13 engines available on the outgoing VNRs offer 325 to 500 hp.
Aerodynamic advances account for the remainder of the fuel efficiency improvement.
ĚýCampbell says, “We’re seeing a 10.7% more aerodynamic truck than the legacy model." (Keiron Greenhalgh/Transport Topics)
“Because of the much more aerodynamic shape, there is so much more forward visibility. There is 17% more forward visibility than the legacy VNR,” Product Marketing Manager Bobby Campbell told Transport Topics on the sidelines of TMC.
“We’re seeing a 10.7% more aerodynamic truck than the legacy model. The more aerodynamic shape, the shrink-wrapped grille. And then using what air cannot be cut. What air you can’t cut, you use. Its two of the main rules of aerodynamics: cut what you can; use what you can’t,” he added.
Safety upgrades include enhanced forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking through the Volvo Active Driver Assist system. Optional advanced safety packages with Volvo Dynamic Steering offer lane keep support and blind spot monitoring.
The new VNR will be available as a 4x2, 6x2 or 6x4 tractor, as well as a straight truck with multiple body types.
Cab size options will comprise the VNR 300 day cab; the VNR 440 mid-roof 42-inch sleeper; the VNR 640 mid-roof 62-inch sleeper, which is being targeted at bulk haul or flatbed customers; the VNR 660 62-inch high-roof sleeper; and the VNR straight truck, which will be available in any cab size.
For day cab driver comfort in colder climates or trucks making frequent stops, VTNA introduced a parking heater that keeps the cab warm for up to 30 minutes without idling.
(Volvo Trucks North America via YouTube)
“Volvo Trucks has a legacy of providing innovative, purpose-built solutions. The all-new VNR is a versatile option that was designed specifically for the demanding nature of regional and urban delivery. Fleets now have the tools to tackle a wide range of operational needs with our most customizable truck,” said VTNA President Peter Voorhoeve.
“Once again, Volvo Trucks is introducing a truck that was designed to change everything. Together, the street-smart VNR and our flagship VNL can address a wide range of fleet operational needs,” Voorhoeve added.
“We are getting into more customer applications than we ever have,” noted Magnus Koeck, VTNA vice president of strategy, marketing and brand management, at the March 10 unveiling.Ěý
The VNR is the same body-in-white as the VNL, but has a different cab position, Director of Product Marketing Johan Agebrand told TT in a separate interview on the sidelines of TMC.
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Production will take place at the company’s New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Va., which underwent a substantial remodeling ahead of the overhaul of the VNR and the flagship VNL tractor. The order book will open in the coming months, the company said.
(Volvo Trucks North America)
Taking its lead from the VNL, which underwent a relaunch in January 2024, the revamped VNR will also incorporate 24-volt electrical architecture in order to support technology advances while also assimilating systems standard elsewhere in the Volvo Group.
The biggest change from the legacy model for Campbell — who began his career at VTNA on the factory floor before working his way up to a supervisor, then the engineering team, and now the product marketing group — is the 24-volt electrical architecture, he said.
(Volvo Trucks North America)
This change allowed VTNA to introduce a host of European safety systems to its North American product line, he said, noting that proprietary Volvo Group systems were now being used rather than Bendix products as a result.
A 24-volt architecture also helped with implementing Volvo Dynamic Steering, he said.
Campbell cited changes to the air pressure management system as a close second. On the new truck, if there is an air leak drivers can now isolate an affected area and continue to a safe spot rather than having to quickly pull over to investigate, he said.
VTNA originally debuted the VNR in April 2017, targeting the private fleet, tank truck, less-than-truckload and drayage markets. It replaced the VNM, which had been around since the 1990s.
Commercial orders for the battery-electric version of the VNR began in December 2020. The VNR Electric fleet reached 8 million customer miles in October 2024.
Four years after launch, the VNR Electric reached 10 million customer miles.
VTNA plans to launch a battery-electric VNL tractor in late 2025 or early 2026.
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