Volvo VNL: specifications, owner reviews, photos

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The chrome-gleaming slash is a hallmark of Swedish-made cars. But the car shown in the picture in the article looks more like truckers from Hollywood movies. And although there is a characteristic feature, seeing this car on the roads of Europe is a rarity. This is Volvo VNL - a tractor manufactured by the American division of the Swedish concern.

Unlike European models, the American one has a conventional bonnet layout. The front end is quite large though. But such a volume is not only for the sake of the American look. The machines are equipped with a powerful engine, appropriate transmission, cooling, and have excellent driving performance. At the same time, even in the American version, the principle that you often hear about the European version is not forgotten: “Volvo” is “Volvo”. In this review, we will try to compare the American tractor with its European counterpart.

Price

Hearing about American models, so many users will think aboutthe price of this "monster". And completely in vain. A car with a mileage of 2010 will cost only $ 30,000. However, as with the purchase of any car, a lot of parameters are included in the price, so you should not paint the entire price range. It is a fact that Volvo VNL tractors are priced at the level of European versions. It is worth noting that this car is not officially sold in Russia, but you can buy it from the hands of the second (nth) owner.

Differences

One of the differences between the American version is the interior space. In this tractor, you can really get up and walk. The ceiling height is 2.5 meters, so even the tallest person does not have to bend down here. The interior area in the car is 5 square meters. meters: two comfortable chairs and a sleeping compartment in the version for international transport. At the same time, it is difficult to call these shelves sunbeds. Width 1.2 m, length ~ 2 m. Lights are scattered around the cabin and sleeping compartment, creating a comfortable soft light. Also, the intercity tractor is equipped with an audio system with 8 speakers, which are also located in different parts of the cab.

Features include the possibility of transforming the bottom seat. People who often travel in second-class carriages know that the lower side berth can be both a table for both passengers and a sunbed for one of them. Volvo VNL uses the same principle. And given that the sides of the rear part also have small windows, the sleeping compartment can be used not only for resting the driver and forwarder.

Interior and dashboard

However, the interior of the car should be discussed separately. The first thing that catches your eye when you get behind the wheel is the layout of the dashboard. The car is not designed for landing a third person, as is done in Western versions. The instrument panel in front of the driver is located in a semicircle, and you can safely reach everything. In addition, on the right in this car there is only one place, and not a whole sofa, as is done in the cabs of cars from other manufacturers. And the protruding part of the torpedo will also prevent a person from sitting in the middle, even if the owner decides to replace the right seat with a sofa.

All scales are in front of your eyes, additional devices are placed on the right side of the panel. The Volvo VNL on-board computer constantly provides information about both driving parameters and many others. There is also a glass holder. It can be moved to another place - there is such an opportunity. Attention is drawn to two buttons in a column: red, yellow above it. Yellow has two functions. By pressing it, the driver activates the parking lot, pulling towards himself - the automatic wheel unlocking. There is also a lever next to it that allows you to brake the trailer. The cabin has a lot of shelves, cabinets, drawers for all sorts of little things. There was even room for a portable fridge and microwave. Separately, we can mention the TV, the antenna of which is located on the roof of the cab.

It is also worth noting the presence of a 12-220 Volt converter. There are sockets on both sides of the cabin, behind the doors and of course in the sleeping compartment. In addition to the converter, it has an overload protection unit. For the sake of fairness, we note that the converter located under the lower bunk may not give Russian characteristics, since the voltage in the States is different, but this is a solvable issue. The speedometer also hints at the USA: double digitization of the dial (besides km, there are also miles).

Appearance

In 1997, promoting their brand in America, the engineers of the Swedish concern Volvo decided on a bold experiment. It resulted in the appearance of the Volvo VNL tractor, the characteristic of which is remembered for a long time by any trucker who at least once got into the cab of this giant. A huge hood that leans forward along with fenders, a high cabin with plenty of storage space for “left” goods, a sleeping compartment resembling a small room in size. You can also see powerful spotlights on the outer wall of the sleeping bag, a shoe rack on the bottom step on each side, and a carpet on the floor. The floor inside the cabin is covered with carpet.

However, all these amenities are offered for the older car Volvo VNL-770, designed for long intercity journeys. The younger cars of the line do not have a sleeping room, but the rest of the filling is on the level. Conquering the American markets, Volvo did not plan any technical innovations, everything was in the spirit of the company, the main emphasis was on 2 points: ergonomics and driver comfort. Not surprisingly, a survey among truckers using this tractor gave it one of the highest ratings. Also, many drivers noted that if they are asked about recommendations, they will name onecar, it's a big-nosed American Volvo.

Filling

What did the Swedes mean when they said that there were no new products in the Volvo VNL series? Vehicle specifications include power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, and:

• 15 liter ISX450ST diesel engine with 450 hp. (in some specifications they write 12 l and 500 hp);
• 600 liter fuel tanks;
• fuel consumption 35-40 liters per 100 km (approximately 15,000 km on one gas station);
• wheel formula 6x4;
• drum brakes on all three axles;
• air suspension;
• 13MT or automatic to choose from.

Reviews

As already noted, many truckers recommend buying only the American version of the Volvo VNL. Owner reviews note ease of operation, a spacious sleeping compartment, the ability to rotate both front seats to face the sleeping compartment. Efficiency and power in one bottle. Many mention that it is in this truck that the motto of American cars is fully embodied - a million miles without a major overhaul.

Of the shortcomings, one can note the tight travel of the clutch pedal on versions with a manual gearbox. Also, the disadvantages include the lack of engine preheating. Fuel thinner is of little help in this situation due to the huge tanks of the car.

Conclusion

The American Volvo VNL, the photo of which was presented in the review, of course, looks like a kind of mechanical monster, but the driver's convenience, fuel economy and greatpower, as well as a set of various shelves, drawers, nets and lockers make it a real home on wheels, which is so lacking in our domestic truck drivers.

I would like to wish the Swedes that such experiments as the American version of their tractor became, were sometimes carried out in Europe, where, as is known from geography, the main plant of the Volvo label is located.