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New World Truck Speed Record

Here we see a Volvo setting a new world truck speed record at a closed track in Sweden breaking the previous record, also set in a Volvo. Commentator on the video is Diesel’s European Correspondent Brian Weatherly, flying over the course in a helicopter and running down the events for us.

 

Volvo Trucks’ The Iron Knight, driven by Boije Ovebrink, now holds the official speed records for the 500 and 1000 metre distances. During their work on the truck, a team from Volvo Trucks found innovative ways of uniting technology with design.

 

New World Truck Speed Record

 

“This shows that our I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission has enormous potential and that it does not let you down under extreme conditions,” said Claes Nilsson, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks. “The fact that the world record-breaker uses the very same gearbox that is found in our series-built FH trucks is something that we’re really proud of.”

 

With an average speed of 169 km/h and a time of 21.29 seconds, The Iron Knight beat the international speed record for 1000 metres from a standing start. It also beat the corresponding record for the 500-metre distance, at 131.29 km/h and 13.71 seconds. The record run was carried out on a closed-off test track in northern Sweden. Currently, the records are being reviewed by the FIA, the international motor sport association.

 

IronKnight_Main_24_aug_11

 

“Specialists from several different Volvo Trucks departments worked closely together to develop a truck with unsurpassed performance,” said Olof Johansson, a technician at Volvo Trucks. “Apart from Volvo Trucks’ powertrain, which is the heart and soul of The Iron Knight, we’ve hand-built the truck from the ground up. The fact that we succeeded in securing not just one record but two is absolutely amazing.”

 

New World Truck Speed Record
Boije Ovebrink, who has more than 30 years’ experience of both car and truck racing.

 

Behind the wheel of The Iron Knight was Boije Ovebrink, who has more than 30 years’ experience of both car and truck racing. He has previously beaten five speed records and in 1994 was European Truck Racing Champion.

 

“Volvo Trucks’ The Iron Knight can be summarised in one single word: perfection,” said Boije Ovebrink. “It’s beautiful to look at and is an unparalleled powerhouse when you floor the accelerator. This is the third record-breaking truck I’ve driven, and I can’t think of a better follow-up to Wild Viking and Mean Green.”

 

 

 

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