The SuperTruck testing has gone to a new level as Navistar reveals exciting results of the latest model’s US testing
Navistar has revealed the results of the International® SuperTruck II, a project in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Under the results, International SuperTruck II demonstrates 16 miles per gallon (MPG) fuel efficiency through hybridisation and a 170 per cent improvement in freight efficiency, among other advancements over the 2009 baseline vehicle, its International SuperTruck I.
It also proves innovative technical approaches to weight reduction from rolling resistance technologies, aerodynamic improvements and powertrain technologies designed to deliver premium freight efficiency to assist in reducing U.S. dependency on fossil fuels in the commercial vehicle sector.
“With co-funding by the DOE, Navistar engineers experimented with prospective technologies not currently available in the Class 8 truck market to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility,” SuperTruck programs global innovation and principal investigator chief engineer Russ Zukouski says.
“The team concentrated its design on high-voltage electrification, utilising hybrid technology on a path toward full electrification that has the potential to be commercialized in fully electric vehicles and improve customers’ total cost of ownership (TCO) and business operations.”
With a shared program goal of increasing Class 8 vehicle efficiency and reducing the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels, International SuperTruck II focused on the next generation of vehicle efficiency improvements through hybridization and aerodynamics.
This resulted in a demonstration of 170 per cent improvement in vehicle freight efficiency, 55 per cent engine brake thermal efficiency, assessed TCO opportunities for individual technologies and high-voltage electrification efforts modelling hybrid technologies that can be used for fully electric vehicles.
“Navistar is the only OEM to build a trailer to provide the most accurate testing results possible,” Advance Truck chief engineer Dean Oppermann says.
“It includes a 100 per cent composite box designed for minimum aerodynamic drag with light weight, integrated cross members, controlled underbody flow with composite aero treatments, next-generation solar panels with connectivity options, and ride height control.”
Highlighting Navistar’s commitment to an electrified future, International SuperTruck II was built as a hybrid vehicle featuring a combustion engine with high-voltage accessories and technologies, developed in partnership with Bosch.
Engine improvements were made in key areas including combustion, friction, gas exchange, and airflow through the engine.
“Our goal is to continue to advance internal combustion engine technology as efficiently and sustainably as possible until there is parity with zero-emissions vehicles,” Oppermann says. “Development of both technologies concurrently ensures a smooth transition of technology to best serve customer needs. We are focused on the entire product ecosystem – product development itself, as well as infrastructure charging, service and support of vehicle operation, end of life for batteries.”
The SuperTruck II program moves Navistar toward its vision to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility. As a member of the TRATON Group, Navistar continues to identify, engineer, and test future technologies, including solid state batteries, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle technology, autonomous driving capability and connected vehicle solutions.