- Characteristics
- Reviews
- Video
The recognizable design of the Volvo VNL 780: the wedge-shaped cab and headlights increase the aerodynamic characteristics of the car.
Among long-haul tractors, vehicles from the Volvo Trucks concern, which has the largest production facilities in the world, are widely known. The first generation of “Americans” - hooded truck tractors - came out with the VN marking. The tractors produced by the American branch of Volvo since the late nineties were initially available only to car owners in the United States and neighboring Canada. At the beginning of the 2000s, the concern produced the Volvo VNL 780 tractor - one of the last representatives of the first generation of the line of long-range vehicles. By that time, the habitat of the VN family had reached the European continent.
Briefly about the model
Volvo 780 VNL trucks are produced by the American division, which, of course, is located in the USA. It is not surprising that this model became the car that combined two styles of automotive engineering.
What's American about this truck? It's safe to say that his appearance. European features include excellent quality and a high level of reliability.
The 780 is the latest vehicle in the VNL line. It was based on the previous model 770. Only the new product became more comfortable for the driver, even the size of the berth was increased to 2 meters in length. The width was 1 m. And it was decided to decorate the interior in a typical American style.
This tractor is a three-axle truck. Its purpose is to transport a road train whose weight can reach 60 tons. It is not difficult for this tractor to transport large cargo. The weight of the car itself is 9,000 kilograms, and the carrying capacity is 30,000 kg. In length, by the way, it reaches 7-9 meters (depending on the configuration). And the height from floor to ceiling is 2.5 meters.
Cabin
The most important thing for a truck driver in his truck is that the “working” place is comfortable. The Volvo 780 VNL can boast of this. The cabin area is five square meters, which is quite a lot. It should also be noted that, in comparison with its predecessors, this truck has many new compartments for storing things. The developers also decided to improve the lighting system, because good light is necessary, especially on long trips.
The cabin includes a mini-fridge, microwave and large TV. In general, everything you might need. By the way, the distinctive features of this model are a beautiful radiator grille, attractive headlights and simply incredibly large mirrors, due to which visibility is at a high level.
For operation in Russia, these overseas tractors are ideally suited
Since several types of engines are installed, fuel consumption on different Volvo VNL 670 models can vary from 34 to 40 l/100 km. When a gearbox is installed, with the I Shift system, according to manufacturers, they achieve minimal fuel consumption thanks to special settings of the intelligent gear selection system. This system can independently select the required gear and turn it on even skipping intermediate ones, i.e. behaves like a driver. In any case, fuel consumption is 40 l/100 km, which is very economical compared to KAMAZ trucks.
The average price of a Volvo VNL 670 in Russia can vary greatly depending on the year of manufacture and configuration of the car and can range from 1.3 million rubles. up to 4.5 million rubles Which is comparable to the cost of a new mainline KAMAZ, with incomparable reliability and comfort.
Even in our harsh Russian conditions, he copes with both eternal troubles quite tolerably. At the same time, the driver does not feel deprived and offended. In any conditions, he can rest comfortably and put himself in order. Well, the low beam of the headlights is weak, and the rattling of the cabin panels is no longer a significant detail. A developed network of service stations and the absence of problems with the availability of spare parts for the Volo VNL 670 make its purchase even more attractive.
So what is the Volo VNL 670? This is certainly an excellent vehicle for long-haul transportation and heavy loads. Despite a number of comments on the reliability of the automatic transmission, some problems with electronics and the need for careful monitoring of engine operation, as well as a sensitive attitude to fuel quality, the Volo VNL 670 has deservedly earned positive reviews around the world.
Can the Volo VNL 670 be called a purely American or European car? Perhaps not, despite the obvious Americanism, the presence of atavistic features of the FH12 is felt in it, which does not harm it at all, but on the contrary.
Characteristics
The Volvo 780 VNL boasts excellent technical equipment. The engine that is most often found on it is the 15-liter Cummins ISX15. The same motor was installed on previous models. It is good because it has an EGR system, which is designed for processing gases. This engine also has good power - 550 horsepower. At the same time, it consumes a relatively small amount of fuel: about 38 liters of fuel are consumed per 100 kilometers.
Volvo trucks have always been famous for their quality, and VNL can also boast of good dynamics. Although for a truck this should probably be the last evaluation criterion. But nevertheless, this car is capable of accelerating to 103 km/h. It is worth recalling that this tractor weighs 9000 kilograms.
Engine options
In addition to the previously mentioned engine, the Volvo VNL model could be equipped with other units, for example, VE D16. This engine was developed by Volvo Trucks. And this is the most powerful power unit of all those that can be equipped with a tractor. Its working volume is 15.8 liters. It produces 600 horsepower. At the same time, it fully complies with the specified Euro-5 standards.
The second option is VE D13. Its main advantages are safety and environmental friendliness. True, it is not as powerful as the previous unit. Its displacement is 12.8 liters and it produces only 480 hp.
The last option is the weakest - VE D12. It belongs to the Euro-4 class. And its volume is 12.1 liters. The power of this engine is 440 horsepower. Volvo trucks equipped with this engine are the least popular of all of the above. But each of the engines is economical and easy to use.
Engine Volvo VNL 780
Several options are used as power plants for them. Among them is a 15-liter Cummins ISX15 equipped with EGR (exhaust gas control system). With a torque of 1850 N/m, it develops power up to 550 hp, while remaining very economical in terms of fuel consumption - about 38 liters per 100 km. In addition to this, Volvo VNL tractors are equipped with engines of their own production:
• VE D12. Its volume is 12138 cm3, and its power is from 420 to 465 hp. Just like Cummins, it complies with the Euro-4 standard in terms of environmental safety.
• VE D13 with a volume of 12800 cm3. Depending on the adjustment of the fuel equipment, at a rated torque of 2050 N/m, it develops a power of 475-500 hp.
• VE D16. The most powerful engine designed for production tractors, developed by Volvo Trucks. With a volume of 15800 cm3, it is capable of developing power up to 600 hp. Along with VE D13, according to environmental standards it belongs to the Euro-5 class.
Given the high power and low fuel consumption (from 34 to 42 liters per 100 km, depending on road and climatic conditions), any engine installed on the Volvo VNL 780 has technical characteristics that meet the highest requirements for operational and environmental performance.
Control
This is another important topic that needs to be noted when talking about the Volvo tractor. The Volvo VNL 780 is a truck that simply amazes with its dimensions. But control can only bring pleasure; it really does not cause any difficulties.
Once you look into the driver’s cabin, a large yellow button immediately catches your eye - this is the handbrake. It is equipped with two functions. The first is to unlock the wheels, and the second is the parking brake. Therefore, if you need to unlock the wheels or activate the handbrake, you just need to press a button.
The dashboard pleases with the presence of an on-board computer and a control system. In general, this part is done very well - all indicators are in plain view of the driver.
Interestingly, the Volvo VNL is the truck that boasts a differential locking and cruise system. Thanks to it, the tractor easily adapts to winter and corresponding road conditions.
Transmission
As you can understand, the Volvo VNL 780 tractor has very attractive characteristics. When talking about them, one cannot fail to mention the transmission.
Tractors can be equipped with any gearbox. Both “automatic” and “mechanical”, and even “robot” are installed. The number of speeds can vary from eight to fourteen. By the way, the mechanisms are supplied by such world-famous companies as Meritor and Eaton Fuller.
But the 780 model is most often equipped with an intelligent transmission equipped with an electronic control unit, thanks to which it is possible to ensure automatic gear shifting in the most optimal mode for the car.
It's also worth noting that each axle has a pneumatic system known as Air Ride. It not only makes it easier to drive, but also ensures the safety of the cargo the driver is transporting. And, I must say, this is the main feature of the 780 model. After all, all its predecessors were equipped with air cushions and leaf spring suspension, and these designs are not so effective.
These long-haul tractors are characterized by high performance characteristics
The VN series is represented by two models of tractors, VNL and VNM, which differ from each other in overall dimensions, so for VNL the distance from the extreme point of the front bumper to the cabin wall is 2.87 m versus 3.12 m for VNM. In addition, engine power. The basis for the Volvo VNL 670 was the well-proven FH-12 platform. The power unit used was a Volvo D-13 or D 16 engine, as well as a Cammins 15-series, producing up to 500 hp. There are also rare examples with engines from other manufacturers. It should be noted that these cars are equipped with Volvo D-13 and D 16 engines, but already adapted for Americans. They have an exhaust gas purification system without the use of urea.
The reliability of Kamins engines is well known to both drivers and mechanics. According to experienced drivers, this engine, even if most of the electronics fail, will be able to drive the car to the garage. In relation to the “relatives”, D13 and D16, the opinion of drivers is ambiguous, but many come to the conclusion that Cummins is still better.
The list of gearboxes is also extensive; in the first versions, only a 10-speed manual gearbox was installed; in later versions, an automatic from ZF was already installed. Subsequently, the list of checkpoints became much wider. List of available gearboxes: • Volvo AT and ATO I-Shift; 12 steps; • Eaton® Fuller® RTOC, RTOCM 9 stages; • FRO, RTO, RTLO 10-18 steps; • AutoShift® and UltraShift® Thanks to such a wide selection of gearboxes, almost any consumer can satisfy their needs.
The weak point in the car is considered to be the clutch; in the hydraulic clutch drive, Volvo VNL 670, there is no pneumatic booster, as a result of which the pedal is quite heavy, fortunately its full release is only necessary when starting off.
The reliability of Meritor axles, as well as the possibility of installing axles with locking, both center and cross-axle differentials, and even with their electronic control, makes this car indispensable in winter conditions and mountainous areas. Those. in half the localities of Russia at half the time of the year.
Equipment
Finally, it’s worth saying a few words about the equipment of this car. It is largely thanks to the wide list of equipment that the Volvo VNL 780 truck has become so popular. Tuning the model, of course, helped it become more attractive, unlike its predecessors, but still the presence of certain options is more important.
The truck boasts an ABS system, power steering, electric drive, heated mirrors and an effective parking brake that reliably blocks the wheels even on very steep slopes. And the device that connects the semi-trailer to the tractor itself can withstand 23,000 kilograms of load.
By the way, it was said above that the car requires 38 liters of fuel for every 100 km. This truck has two gas tanks, and each of them can hold 570 liters of fuel. This will be enough for a long journey.
As for the cost? A tractor like this won't come cheap. It will cost about 3.5-4 million rubles. However, looking at all its advantages, you can understand that this price is justified.
Volvo 780 Reviews
Andrey, Chelyabinsk. The car is produced in 2003.
The choice for work was between Fred (Freightliner), who already had driving experience, and Volvo. Naturally, we considered used options, since the price of a new one is by no means small - about 3.5 million rubles. In favor of Volvak, of course, is the presence of a “native” service in Chelyabinsk, and throughout Russia. Anything can happen on the road and the presence of stations is only a plus for the car. Spare parts are expensive, but there are far fewer problems with them, although it all depends on the model, of course. We took a Volvo VNL 780 hood with a mileage of 610,000 km. As for repairs, we naturally changed all the tires, since there was a fair amount of wear, springs, batteries and some small things. First of all, I am amazed by the cabin - I have never worked with such comfort. It’s not for nothing that in America drivers call this model “auto-home”. And the gearbox is very powerful, shifting is fast and precise.
The car holds up well on dirt roads and uphill slopes, but when heavily loaded with up to 40 tons, it tilts to one side, so you have to be careful, knowing our roads. There is also some heeling on a winding road. Experienced truck drivers just need to get used to such things. The presence of two stoves (Webasto) cannot but please us - you have to stand for a long time on the highway in winter for various reasons, and decent heating has helped out more than once. I drove different cars, including KAMAZ trucks - I can’t say anything bad about Volvo. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try this model.
