Göteborg, Sweden: Volvo Trucks has launched its engine for the tough Euro-6 environmental standard, the D13 460 hp engine which powers more than a third of Volvo trucks.
“The Volvo FH gets a new 460hp Euro-6 engine optimised for fast, fuel-efficient transportation on good roads and the first trucks with the new engine will be delivered in spring 2013,” says Mats Franzén, manager of engine strategy and planning, Volvo Trucks.
Customer demand for Euro-6 trucks is still at a modest level says Volvo. Since February 2012, it has been possible to certify vehicles according to the new regulations, but it will be another 17 months before the requirements become compulsory for all new trucks. The tough emission standards involve advanced engine solutions, including many new components, which in turn mean higher cost for customers. However, this increased cost can be partially offset by various financial inducements and incentive packages, above all in regional traffic and long-haul operations in Europe, Volvo says.
“It is currently difficult to determine how much demand there will be, but by offering our most popular engine in a Euro-6 configuration, we meet the needs of a large proportion of our customers. The rest of the Euro-6 engine range will be launched well before the requirements become obligatory on January 1st 2014,” Franzén says.
The Volvo D13 for Euro-6 is based on Volvo’s Euro-5 engine. Just like this unit, the new engine is an in-line six cylinder engine with unit injectors and catalytic exhaust treatment (SCR). In order to meet the new emission requirements, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is also used, as well as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) – systems that Volvo Trucks has already been using for several years in the US and Japan. Compared with Euro-5, oxides of nitrogen emissions have been cut by 77%t and particulate emissions have been halved to 0.01 g/kWh .
The SCR system, which converts the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust gases into nitrogen and water vapour, is integrated with the particulate filter in a compact unit. The particulate filter, which captures and incinerates the microscopic particles found in the exhaust gases, is automatically regenerated during operation. EGR is used primarily to raise the exhaust gas temperature when the engine is not sufficiently hot to heat the exhaust gases, which must reach at least 250°C for the SCR system to operate effectively. Unlike conventional EGR systems that cool down the recirculated exhaust gases in order to lower engine temperature and thus reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, Volvo’s Euro-6 engine’s EGR system is virtually inactive during highway cruising, so it does not affect fuel consumption during such operations.
“We have developed a reliable solution that not only meets the emission requirements, but also gives customers added benefits in the form of good fuel economy and trouble-free ownership,” Franzén says.
Volvo D13-460 for Euro 6
- In-line six-cylinder 13-litre engine producing 460 hp
- Max power output at 1400 to 1900 r/min: 338 kW
- Max torque at 1000 to 1400 r/min: 2300 Nm
- Engine brake VEB+ at 2300 rpm: 375 kW
- Available for the Volvo FH, 4×2/6×2, tractor and rigid, including vehicles for transport of dangerous goods (ADR).
- Available for both right-hand and left-hand drive trucks
Euro 6 standards
- One-fifth the oxides of nitrogen emissions of a Euro-5 engine.
- Half the particulate emissions of a Euro-5 engine.
- It will be compulsory to meet emissions legislation down to an ambient temperature of at least –7° C.
- Emissions legislation encompasses oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulates (mass), particulates (quantity), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC).
