Iron Knight, Volvo's fastest truck

Volvo Iron Knight

Breaking records is something that has been done for a long time. The speed record in its different variants is one of the main attractions for many drivers who have attempted it, with or without success, and also with disastrous results for both the machine and the driver.

On this occasion it was Volvo that set itself that goal with a truck. The Swedish brand has adapted one of its FH models for such an important event, while retaining the excellent I-Shift dual-clutch gearbox. The performance of this truck is impressive, very comparable to any supercar or even a racing car. Its 4.5 tonnes move with great ease thanks to the 2,400 horsepower and 6,000 Nm of torque produced by the 13-litre engine, giving it a power-to-weight ratio above 0.5 CV/kg. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, so some sports car would be in serious trouble facing this truck.

Behind the wheel of such a powerful machine was Boije Ovebrink, an experienced driver who was European truck racing champion in 1994 and who had also broken records previously at the wheel of Volvo trucks, specifically the Mean Green, a hybrid truck with a 1,800 CV diesel engine and a 300 CV electric motor.

Volvo Iron Knight

The Iron Knight has a powerful, centre-mounted engine, which is a D13 unit with significant modifications, featuring water-cooled intercoolers and four turbochargers, the 12-speed I-Shift dual-clutch gearbox, electronics reduced to the minimum to cut the vehicle’s weight, reprogrammed software for high performance, and the aerodynamics of the fibreglass cab have been optimised. The side skirts feature large air intakes to supply cooling air to the engine.

The test was carried out at the former airfield on the outskirts of Skellefteå, in northern Sweden. With an average speed of 169 km/h and a time of 21.29 seconds, the Iron Knight broke the world speed record in the 1,000-metre category from a standing start. It also broke the record in the 500-metre category, at 131.29 km/h in 13.71 seconds. The speed record was supervised and approved by the FIA. The truck covered the distance in both directions. The average speed and time were calculated based on these two runs. The record submitted to the FIA is the average speed of the two runs.

With this record, Volvo demonstrates the potential of the I-Shift dual-clutch gearbox fitted to its standard models, combined even with a high-performance engine such as the one in the Iron Knight. Furthermore, this super truck was fitted with Goodyear tyres based on racing truck tyres, in 315/70R22.5 sizes at the front and 495/45R22.5 at the rear. These tyres, specially developed and manufactured by Goodyear, are the result of the continuous collaboration and close alliance the brand maintains with truck manufacturer Volvo Trucks, and also become the fastest truck tyres.

You can see the result of the test in the following video.

[jwplayer file=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIQsQ4FKUqs” autostart=”false” mute=”off”]

Source | Goodyear and Volvo