Along with rolling out an all-new VNR, Volvo Trucks North America has a new turbo engine designed to power regional operations better.
The new Volvo D13 Variable Geometry Turbo Engine was unveiled with the new VNR during an event at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council exhibition on March 10.
The new Volvo D13 VGT engine will be standard in the new VNR and available in the Volvo VNL day cab launched in 2024. The D13 VGT engine builds on the improvements launched with the D13 Turbo Compound engine standard on the Volvo VNL.
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New enhancements to Volvo D13 Variable Geometry Turbo engine
With a focus on fuel efficiency and durability, Volvo Trucks highlighted these enhancements to the D13 VGT engine:
- Advanced piston design: Improved seven-wave piston optimizes air and fuel mixture control, resulting in more efficient combustion. Piston height was decreased and paired with a longer connecting rod to minimize cylinder sidewall pressure, reduce friction, and enhance overall performance. The seven-wave design allows for a more heat dispersion across the top of the piston head, lowering the overall temperature and reducing NOx output.
- Enhanced fuel injector: Smaller needle control valves in the fuel injectors provide precise and rapid control over the fuel flow rate, leading to improved fuel atomization, better combustion efficiency, and enhanced engine performance.
- Variable displacement oil pump: Pump dynamically adapts to the engine's oil pressure demands, minimizing parasitic losses, reducing wear and tear, and improving efficiency.
"Fuel costs remain the second highest expense for fleets in North America and our powertrain improvements represent an up to 3% fuel efficiency improvement over our previous generation engine,” Peter Voorhoeve. VTNA president, said. “The D13 VGT engine is built to deliver the performance and reliability our customers expect while also contributing to a cleaner, more efficient future."
The new engine benefits from Volvo’s 24-volt electrical system, which debuted in the new VNL in 2024 and is part of 2025’s VNR. The 24-volt architecture allows the OEM to use lighter components at a lower amperage.
The Volvo D13 VGT engine is available for order in the new Volvo VNR and VNL models. Customers can choose from engine options offering 405, 425, 435, and 455 hp, with torque ratings ranging from 1,450 to 1,850 lb.-ft.
Customers purchasing the all-new Volvo VNR when orders begin will also have the option to select the D13 Turbo Compound engine, which is well suited for fleets using the VNR in a highway application.
