DALLAS (August 25, 2005) –  Why should long-haul truckers have all the fun?  Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. today introduced a new standard for heavy transport daycabs, the Volvo VT 800.  Like its long-haul brother, the Volvo VT 880, the VT 800 daycab comes standard with the most powerful engine in the industry, the Volvo D16, with up to 625 hp and 2250 lb-ft of torque.

The new Volvo VT 800 premium daycab for the heavy transport owner operator segment was introduced to the public at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas on August 25, 2005 (image above).

The Volvo VT 800 brings the VT’s muscular design and intense visual appeal to a premium daycab.  Owner operators in this segment want a blend of big-block diesel power and performance that will stand up to demanding duty cycles and conditions.  Typical applications for the Volvo VT 800 are heavy haul flatbed or lowboy, bulk haul, grain body, livestock hauler, tanker, and double- and triple-trailer combinations.

 “This is a truck that has it all – power, performance, great looks and unmatched driver comfort,” said Scott Kress, senior vice president – Sales & Marketing.  “Plus, the Volvo VT 800 was designed from the beginning to showcase Volvo’s traditional values of safety, driver productivity, quality, reliability and uptime.  This is the truck for the operator who needs the level of performance that can only be found by combining the most powerful engine with our world-leading engineering and design excellence.”

The Volvo VT 800 continues the bold appearance of the VT series:

• A long and strong-looking hood, with the excellent visibility found in all Volvo trucks.
• A large chromed grille in front of a radiator and cooling package able to meet current and future cooling needs required by stringent emissions standards.
• A smooth, stable ride and a powerful stance, provided by the set forward front axle in Volvo’s “comfort position.”
• The long BBC for a smooth ride and exciting look; the cab was moved back 8 inches, which isolates the driver from the engine.

Gleaming exterior details and components give the Volvo VT 800 the distinctive look demanded by owner operators.  But, as with the Volvo VT 880, these components reflect Volvo’s modern interpretation of traditional styling.   The result is bold and unlike other trucks on the road today.  These features include: a polished steel front bumper, with aerodynamic features for improved airflow for less drag and better cooling;  a large chromed grille; polished or bright aluminum fuel tanks; outboard exhaust stacks; and polished aluminum step panels.  The steps remove easily for access to batteries and toolbox.

Performance
 The Volvo D16 diesel engine is standard for the Volvo VT 800, and is available in ratings from 500 to 625 hp, with torque from 1850 to 2250 lb-ft.  The Volvo D16 has the Volvo Intelligent Torque (I-Torque) torque management system.  Volvo’s I-Torque technology controls the amount of engine torque delivered to the driveline in any gear.  This lets Volvo specify an optimized rear axle and suspension combination.  So it is possible to specify a lighter rear axle and suspension than would otherwise be required.  The Cummins ISX engine is optional.

 Performance is enhanced by a 45-degree wheel cut, for a tight turning radius and maneuverability.  Driver visibility is excellent due to the sloping hood, the driver seating position and the huge one-piece windshield.  Projection beam headlights also improve nighttime visibility on the right side of the truck.

 The Volvo VT 800’s driver ergonomics play a key role in performance, by placing controls and instruments within easy reach and clear sight lines.  The air-ride cab, ergonomic seating, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, high-performance climate control system and cab noise insulation keep the driver at peak performance levels and minimize distractions.  And double-sealed doors keep out dirt, dust, water and noise in challenging jobsites.

Safety
 The Volvo VT 800 would not be a Volvo if it didn’t meet the most stringent safety standards and include innovative new systems and designs.  Its robotically-welded high-strength steel (HSS) cab meets all the requirements of the Swedish Impact Test, the most demanding cab strength test in the world.  Cab doors stay closed during collisions, but open afterward. Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology is standard, to help maintain control of the truck in slippery conditions and to help prevent rollovers.  An air bag for the driver is standard, as is an energy-absorbing steering column.  The engine and transmission are designed to drop under the cab during frontal impacts, to prevent intrusion into the cab.

Volvo VT 800 Specifications:
Daycab
BBC: 134 inches 
Front Axle Position:  43.1 inches – The Volvo “Comfort Position” 

Engines:

• Volvo D16
   500 hp @ 1850 lb-ft I-Torque
   550 hp @ 1850 lb-ft I-Torque
   600 hp @ 2050 lb-ft I-Torque
   625 hp @ 2250 lb-ft I-Torque
•  Cummins ISX
   475 hp @ 1850 lb-ft 
    500 hp @ 1850 lb-ft
    530 hp @ 1850 lb-ft
    565 hp @ 1850 lb-ft

Transmission:

Eaton RTO, RTLO, 10, 13, 18 speeds
Eaton Autoshift 10 and 18 speeds
Front Axle:  12,000 – 13,200 pound, spring suspension
Rear Axle:  40,000 – 46,000
Meritor, Amboid 

Rear Suspension:

38,000 – 40,000 pound Volvo Air Suspension
40,000 – 46,000 pound Volvo non-torque reactive suspension

• Frame Rails: (11.81 inches x 3.54 inches) 
  Thickness
• .28 in. (7 mm), RBM: 1,884,000 in-lb
• .31 in. (8 mm), RBM: 2,112,000 in-lb
• .38 in. (9.5 mm), RBM: 2,460,000 in-lb
• Interior Trim:  Signature and Performance

Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VT, VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the ISO14001 and ISO9001 certified New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.  Volvo engines for North America are produced in Hagerstown, Maryland.  Volvo sponsors the America’s Road Team national highway safety outreach program.

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc., is part of the Volvo Group of companies, a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.  With 2004 sales of approximately $27 billion, Volvo’s business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace, and financial services.  In the United States, Volvo shares are listed on NASDAQ and are traded as ADRs (symbol: VOLVY).