Volvo Trucks unveils new global engine platform with diesel and gas

Volvo Trucks unveiled its new global engine platform featuring 13-litre diesel and gas configurations delivering up to 560 horsepower, designed to comply with European regulations. The rollout marks a core component of the manufacturer’s strategy to improve efficiency and adapt to alternative fuels across international markets. Sabíamos que necesitábamos una plataforma única, capaz de satisfacer las normas de emisiones más estrictas, mejorar la eficiencia y elevar el rendimiento en todo el mundo, explains Mats Morén, Powertrain Engineering Manager at Volvo Trucks.

The development of the new generation began in 2021, led by teams of engineering at Volvo Trucks primarily in Gothenburg, Sweden. The project brought together a global team to build a common architecture combining higher performance, lower fuel consumption, and compatibility with sustainable fuels. The goal was to create a 13-litre engine capable of responding to emission demands in markets such as Europe, North America, or Asia, while adapting to the availability of alternative fuels in each region.

D13 Platform Updates Improve Fuel Efficiency

Technical updates to the D13 platform include a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) that adjusts the angle of exhaust gases based on operational demands. Engineers also increased maximum cylinder pressure, optimized compression, and updated Volvo Trucks‘ enveloping piston design. According to the company, the new piston design contributes an improvement of about 2% in energy efficiency, while the overall platform consumes up to 4% less fuel than the previous generation.

The diesel version of the 13-litre engine reaches up to 560 CV with torque ranging between 1,800 and 2,900 Nm. The gas-powered G13 variant produces between 420 and 500 CV, with the gas version delivering a maximum torque of 2,800 Nm—an increase of 300 Nm compared to its predecessor. Both versions comply with Euro 6 regulations, the latest noise legislation phase 3 (NNR3) requirements, and VECTO criteria from the European Commission.

Global Rollout and Alternative Fuel Compatibility

The engines are engineered to support alternative fuels such as biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and bio-LNG. Manufacturing will take place in Skövde, Sweden, with assembly handled at facilities in Tuve, Sweden, and Ghent, Belgium.