When Volvo Trucks introduced its XE13 "exceptional efficiency" integrated powertrain package last September, it only was available with a 425-horsepower rating. Today it announced it had added a 455-horsepower rating for the XE13.


Through the XE13 package, Volvo lowers engine rpm at a given vehicle speed. The integrated engine, transmission and axle package, with proprietary software allowing the integrated components to communicate, takes the old "gear fast/run slow" concept to a new level, which Volvo calls "downspeeding."

The XE13 package consistently operates in the engine's "sweet spot" of 1,050 rpm to 1,500 rpm, with up to 70% in the most efficient range of 1,100 rpm to 1,200 rpm. This yields about a 1.5% fuel efficiency improvement for every 100 rpm of "downspeeding," so the XE13 package will deliver about a 3% fuel efficiency gain, explains Ed Saxman, Volvo Trucks product manager-powertrain.

"For those that want a little more power, maybe they operate a little bit in the Rockies, they'll have 30 more horsepower,' says Saxman, who notes that orders for the XE13 are just now starting down the line.

Available on Volvo VN series tractors, the XE13 455-horsepower package is rated up to 80,000 pounds GCWR and includes the following components:

* Volvo D13 engine with 455 horsepower and 1,750 pounds-feet of torque
* Volvo I-Shift overdrive transmission with a 0.78:1 ratio
* axle ratios of 2.64 to 2.69
* Proprietary software that allows Volvo's integrated powertrain components to communicate

You can read Equipment Editor Jim Park's Test Drive of the XE13 here.