Volvo confirms its new Euro 6 engine will use a number of technologies to meet stricter emission rules
Gary Worrall | July 9, 2012
Volvo Trucks has released details of its first Euro 6-compliant engine, confirming it will use a number of technologies to meet the stricter emission rules.
The new unit will rely on exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to comply with the new rules to be adopted by European countries on January 1, 2014.
Volvo and other manufacturers, including Scania and Mercedes-Benz, are introducing Euro-6 certified engines ahead of the mandated start date.
The new engine will be offered initially to European operators in the FH range of trucks, with a power rating of 340kW, although the same engine is also used in the mid-sized FM model.
A version of the same engine is also used by Mack Trucks, badged as the MP8 in the Granite and Trident models.
Although the engine is fitted with both SCR and EGR units, Volvo engineers have programmed the system to use the EGR unit primarily when the exhaust temperature is below 250C.
This is to avoid the major impact of EGR of driving up combustion temperatures, which is why most EGR applications require a cooler in normal operations to reduce the charge temperature before it enters the combustion chamber.
Instead, the SCR unit is programmed to do most of the work when the truck is cruising at highway speeds, which also offers fuel consumption benefits.
To help reduce the weight and size impact of the multiple systems on available chassis space, Volvo has packaged the DPF with the SCR unit.
Although the Australian start date for the new regulations is unconfirmed, Volvo Australia Vice President Gary Bone says the new engine will be tested locally before it goes on sale.
