Well they've only gone and done it haven't they! Today Biglorryblog goes to Volvo at Warwick and what do I learn? That they've just raised the power bar with the mighty FH16 from the previous maximum 660hp rating to an eye-watering 700hp which Volvo reckons makes it the world's most powerful production truck. And who am I to argue with that? But 700hp? Ooooo errrrrrr missus! And how does 3,150Nm of throbby torque float your canoe? Talk about a surprise--and I thought they were going to talk about gas-powered vehicles.DOH!
And click on this link for an FH16.700 website complete with a fun computer game.
News of the latest D16G 16-litre in-line six will surely wind up those 'other' Swedes down the road---one wonders how they'll respond with their own V8? Indeed rumours abound that they've been testing a 700hp version of it... Talk about choking on the rollmops! And what about those geezers in Munich who thought they were King of the Hill with their 680hp V8...? Gott in Himmell!
With 40 extra horses (and 50 more newton metres) the latest D16G big banger is all ready for the Euro-5 emissions regs which will hit the streets on October 1 so NOx emissions from the six-pot are now 40% lower. And just in case you think that the D16G's 700hp is a bit too OTT you can always order it with a 'sensible' rating of 'just' 600hp or a 'mere' 540hp...! (for the record the most powerful dD13 lump is at 520hp) Biglorryblog eagerly awaits the news of the first customer of a 700hp FH16 tractor----which will probably be an Irish 40-tonne reefer operator or a UK owner-driver on containers, working out of Felixstowe who needs to cross the East Anglian Alps!
Of course this is what it's REALLY meant for---STGO Cat 3 operations, 60-tonne plus Scandinavian timber haulage or triple trailer roadtrain work down under!
Volvo tells me that despite its higher power the D16G's fuel consumption will be as good as the previous (well still current to be strictly accurate) 16-litre range thanks to a parcel of engineering changes including an optimised combustion system and a new oil thermostat. Throw in the use of pre-injection fueling and engine idle noise levels have also been cut by an impressive 2dB(A)... The two most powerful versions (the 700 and 600hp) gain a larger, more effective, exhaust and SCR exhaust aftertreatment system which can now handle a larger gas flow so counter pressure is reduced and engine power losses minimised. There's also a new exhaust butterfly engine brake as standard with 230kW of retarding power---plus the option of a (Jake-type) Volvo Engine Brake.
Product Facts : Volvo D16G Euro 5
- 16-litre 6-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger and intercooler.
- Power/torque: 700 (3,150 Nm), 600 (2,800 Nm) or 540hp ( 2,650 Nm)
- Auxiliary brake : EPG with 230 kW at 2200 rpm or VEB+ with 425 kW
- Exhaust treatment : SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction).
- Oil-change interval : 100,000 kms or once a year
- Power take-off (optional) : 1000 Nm at a standstill, 650 Nm on the move.
- Available with open or closed crankcase ventilation
- Std transmission: Volvo I-shift auto (manual optional on 600/540hp)
Now click through here for more...
We've come along way baby... After all when the first F16 was launched back in 1987... Was it really that long ago it boasted a worryingly high power output of... Gulp... 470hp.
Then in 2003 the D16C boosted it to 610hp followed by the 'awesome' D16E with 660hp...But with 700hp D16G has really put the cat amongst the pigeons!
If you buy an FH16 with the new D16G, which has a lower compression ratio of 16.8:1 it will come with an overdive I-shift box and hub reduction drive axles. And as soon as I've figured out how to do it I'll post up a video clip of the new beast in action...!
All good stuff roll on 1000bhp!
Why, Barney?
Why not ?
Barney, 1000bhp is for battle tank!
give it a couple of years and it'll be here. 10 years ago, 480bhp was considered "high power", now its normal.