Volvo's spectacular dual clutch transmission
Volvo Trucks has come up with a spectacular way of demonstrating its latest dual clutch transmission.
“The Flying Passenger” marks another world first for Volvo Trucks. In the latest live test, a Volvo FH tows a paraglider up a mountain pass in Croatia in a precision stunt never tried before. The truck driver has to maintain a high cruising speed to keep the paraglider in the air. The test highlights the performance of Volvo Trucks’ unique powertrain, fitted with I-Shift Dual Clutch.
During the breath-taking ride, the Volvo FH tows the paraglider up a steep mountain road and under the narrow opening of an overhanging bridge. The tight space calls for high precision driving at a constant cruising speed without any room for error. The test was set up to demonstrate Volvo Trucks’ powertrain, fitted with I-Shift Dual Clutch, enabling excellent performance whilst at the same time considerably lowering fuel consumption.
“Driving on high gears and securing seamless gear shifting is an important factor for fuel efficiency. The I-Shift Dual Clutch enables smooth driving whilst staying in high gears and low revs,” says Staffan Wendeberg, product manager FH and Long Haul at Volvo Trucks.
In addition the gearbox has an important impact on productivity. I-Shift Dual Clutch provides power shift gear changes that ensure the engine does not lose any torque when changing gears under tough conditions.
“Meeting deadlines and keeping fuel consumption low, even when driving uphill and on winding roads, are key elements to success for many of our customers. This test is the perfect way to challenge our recently updated powertrain. ‘The Flying Passenger’ illustrates in a very concrete and visual way what Volvo Trucks’ performance and driveability is all about,” says Claes Nilsson, president of Volvo Trucks.
“The Flying Passenger” is the latest instalment in Volvo Trucks’ live test series.
The challenge was shot in the Dinaric Alps in Croatia on closed-off roads and under strict safety supervision.