New Volvo D17 engine ups the ante

The latest salvo in the heavy-duty trucking world has been fired, with Volvo Truck’s global Product Manager, Marcos Weingaertner, proclaiming the FH16’s new D17 six-cylinder turbo-diesel in its highest rating as “the strongest engine in the industry”.

Unveiled recently alongside Volvo’s revamped 2024 range of heavy-duty trucks, the centrepiece of the new line-up is the FH16’s D17, which offers up to 780hp and 3800Nm.

The engine will also be available in Volvo’s new FH16 Aero, which will only be offered in Europe.

Up until the unveiling of the new Volvo range, which is set to be produced in VGA’s Wacol facility from mid-2024, the mantle of ‘Australia’s most powerful production truck’ is currently held by Scania’s 770 V8, which produces 770hp and 3700Nm.

The Volvo D17 will be available in three ratings in Europe – 600hp/3000Nm, 700hp/3400Nm and 780hp/3800Nm – with local ratings and specifications yet to be announced.

A spokesman for Volvo Group Australia (VGA) said while the new engine will be coming to Australia, outputs for it had not been decided. Our tip is that it will be rated at 780hp to topple Scania off its perch, if nothing else.

Volvo says the new powerplant is up for the most demanding of roles, all while delivering “outstanding” fuel efficiency and durability. It is also certified to run on biofuels.

“I’m proud to present our new engine,” says Mr Weingaertner.

“It really is a masterpiece and the result of world-class engineering. The 780 version is the strongest engine in the industry. When climbing steep grades on a road with maximum loads, you don’t want to get stuck with too little torque and power. That is why we have focused all our efforts on making the D17 engine very powerful, reliable and responsive. For our customers, this translates into getting the job done faster with improved fuel efficiency.”

The engine features a single turbo-charger, Volvo’s patented wave piston design, a new injection system, and increased peak cylinder pressure. The cumulative effect, says Volvo, is better engine response, optimised combustion, reduced emissions, excellent fuel economy, and higher output.

Engine brake power is also boosted, resulting in fast gearshifts and reduced wear and tear for brake pads and discs.

For operators seeking to further enhance their environmental credentials, the D17 can run on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in all power ratings. The 700hp version is also certified to run on 100 per cent biodiesel (B100).

The gearbox has also come under scrutiny, with updates that see it fully equipped to deal with up to 3800Nm, plus efficiency gains for the lower two engine ratings.

“I’m confident that customers and drivers will appreciate the higher engine brake power as well as the ability to run on HVO and biodiesel,” says Mr Weingaertner.

“The D17 is a fabulous engine for a fabulous truck, and all our customers who rely on the Volvo FH16 in their daily work will now have an even more powerful tool to help them.”

Sales of the new Volvo FH16 with D17 engine will commence mid this year, with production to commence in the second half of 2024.

We were told that the Australian market could expect the first trucks around the third quarter of the year.