Volvo Flowbelow Tractor Aerokit
To improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, Volvo Trucks North America has added the ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ to its trucks.
To improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, Volvo Trucks North America has added the ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ to its trucks.
Celebrating the success with over 200,000 connected vehicles in North America, Volvo Trucks has premiered a ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ for its trucks in the respective market. Displaying the ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) show in Atlanta, Georgia, the company has also highlighted its connection with FlowBelow Aero, Inc. for the same. Claimed to be in-line with Volvo’s strategy to respond to the changing market trends, the ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ is engineered to tackle the challenges faced by Volvo heavy-duty truck operators, which include high turbulence and drag because of their size and speed. Built to enhance the aerodynamics and overall efficiency such that it would positively influence the TCO, the ‘FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit’ for trucks offered by Volvo in North America by FlowBelow Aero, Inc. could well be a step in the right direction. Expressed Josh Butler, President
and Founder, FlowBelow Aero, Inc., “The FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit significantly optimises the surface along the side of the truck to make it more aerodynamic, leading to better fuel mileage and real savings for customers.” “It will be offered as a factory installed option for the VNL and VNR models starting from the second quarter of 2020,” he added. Significantly enhancing the aerodynamic support, according to Allison Athey, Product Marketing Manager, Volvo Trucks North America, the FlowBelow package is designed to provide an additional one-per cent increase in fuel efficiency.
Found in the form of wheel covers and fairings, the new FlowBelow kit will be also be offered in the form of a full FlowBelow Tractor AeroKit. This would include the Xceed fuel efficiency package as well. Offered as a customer option for truck orders in 4x2, 6x2, and 6x4 axle configurations starting early 2020, the product has been designed using advanced computational fluid dynamics. Said to include four quick-release aerodynamic wheel covers and a pair of tandem fairings installed on the tractor that work together as a complete aerodynamic system to address the complex airflow around the exposed rear wheels of the tractor, the AeroKit contains FlowBelow’s patented ‘push and turn’ quick-release latching system. The system provides quick access to the wheels. Available with a variety of styling options, which include wheel covers available in black, white and chrome colour, and fairings that are available in black and white, the AeroKit takes into consideration the preferences of the fleet operators. Especially when it comes to addressing the branding requirements of the operators. The colours of the wheel covers for example. The wheel covers as well as the fairing could be customised. It could be customised to ensure that it betters integrates itself with other aerodynamic devices. Claimed to be durable and flexible, the wheel covers and the fairing offer good resistance against the bad road conditions, debris and contaminants too.
Easily accessible to drivers and mechanics, the AeroKit could be installed within an hour without the need of drilling or welding. The tandem fairings, fenders and wheel covers are made from 100 per cent rust proof polyethylene. Built to ensure superior durability, the AeroKit is also equipped with a tangible splash and spray suppression. It improves visibility for the drivers in wet driving conditions. Known to be a new standard in tractor efficiency, the kit provides an option for wide base, duals, lift axles and tag axles. Said to have heavy duty springloaded mud-flap hangers for increased vehicle uptime, the kit is compatible with tyre chains, ice, snow and extreme weather. Claim sources that the AeroKit has the potential to save the trucking industry over USD-one billion per year in fuel costs and in-turn a significant reduction in the industry’s carbon emissions.