A 270 km/h truck? Volvo and Goodyear make it possible with the new Iron Knight

In an exciting chapter in the history of motorsport, the colossal Iron Knight from Volvo Trucks makes its striking entry into Spain, just as Goodyear celebrates its 125th anniversary. This giant of the road, which shook the world in 2016 by setting two truck speed records, continues to demonstrate its impressive power at the Madrid-Jarama circuit, leading a unique showcase of innovation and motorsport performance.

In that epic year, the Iron Knight left everyone speechless when it claimed the title of “fastest truck in the world”, thanks to its imposing 2,400 CV and a weight of 4.5 tonnes. It reached an average speed of 169.09 km/h in 21.29 seconds, covering 1,000 metres from a standstill. But that was not enough: it also broke the 500-metre record, achieving 131.29 km/h in just 13.71 seconds, and reached a dizzying top speed of 276 km/h. These feats have yet to be matched by any other truck in the world, cementing its legendary status.

At the heart of this prodigious machine beats the 13-litre six-cylinder engine, with four tailpipes, strategically positioned at the centre of the chassis to ensure outstanding stability. The lowered bodywork and optimised aerodynamics are based on the current Volvo FH series, while the truck is fitted with the acclaimed I-Shift dual-clutch gearbox, also available for the FH series.

Thanks to a collaboration with Goodyear

But what made it possible for the Iron Knight to break every speed limit? The answer lies in the Goodyear tyres. This historic company, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, drew on its vast experience in road transport and motorsport to create the tyres that propelled the Iron Knight towards immortality.

Most impressively, these high-performance tyres used conventional casings, the same as those found on the everyday road trucks that travel European roads daily. The directional tyres, measuring 315/70R22.5, were based on the technology of the racing truck tyres used in the FIA Goodyear European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), a demonstration that advanced technology is within everyone’s reach.

The traction tyres, measuring 495/45R22.5, proved capable of withstanding the tremendous torque generated by the Iron Knight. Both types of tyre were built using standard Goodyear casings, to which tread compounds and patterns specifically designed for this legendary truck were applied. Furthermore, the tyres that carried the Iron Knight to glory feature a special design bearing the name “Goodyear – Iron Knight” on their sidewalls, a mark of distinction that underlines its world record status.

Iron Knight image gallery