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NEWS
Double record for Volvo speed machine
The Iron Knight is officially the world's fastest truck in not one but two speed record categoriesVolvo Trucks' The Iron Knight has successfully broken two world speed records, raising the bar over both 500 metres and 1000 metres at a closed test track in northern Sweden.
Driven by Boije Ovebrink, the truck was custom built from the ground up but featured a Volvo engine with a series-manufactured I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission.
Ovebrink, who has driven two other world speed record trucks and was the 1994 European Truck Racing Champion, piloted The Iron Knight to a top speed of 276km/h during his runs, setting a new average speed and time of 169km/h and 21.29 seconds for 1000 metres from a standing start, and 131.29km/h and 13.71 seconds for 500 metres from a standing start.
Olof Johansson, a technician from Volvo, said the team was thrilled with the success.
"Specialists from several different Volvo Trucks departments worked closely together to develop a truck with unsurpassed performance," he said.
"Apart from Volvo Trucks' powertrain, which is the heart and soul of The Iron Knight, we've hand-built the truck from the ground up. The fact that we succeeded in securing not just one record but two is absolutely amazing."
The record runs took place at Skelleftea Drive Centre, a former airfield in northern Sweden, under the watchful eye of motor racing body, FIA. The records were drawn from averaging the speeds attained during two runs.
The Iron Knight is powered by a highly modified D13 Volvo engine with water-cooled intercooler and four turbochargers. The truck produces a mammoth 2400hp and 6000Nm, while it weighs in at a svelte 4.5 tonnes.
The I-Shift Dual Clutch is virtually the same as those found in production Volvo FH trucks, says Volvo, save for the discs and pressure plates being made from a sintered material.
"This shows that our I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission has enormous potential and that it does not let you down under extreme conditions," says Claes Nilsson, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks.
Ovebrink said The Iron Knight was a mechanical marvel.
"It's beautiful to look at and it's an unparalleled powerhouse when you floor the accelerator," he said.
"This is the third record-breaking truck I've driven and I can't think of a better follow-up to Wild Viking and Mean Green."
Check out the clip below to see The Iron Knight in action during its record-breaking run…
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Written byTrucksales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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