SCOTTSDALE, AZ (February 3, 2005) – A distinctive blend of style and power was unveiled today as Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. rolled out its new flagship truck, the long-hood, high-horsepower Volvo VT 880. 

Aimed at the premium owner operator market, the Volvo VT 880 combines a dramatic design with high-output engines, including the new Volvo D16 engine, with ratings up to 625 hp with 2250 lb-ft of torque, the most powerful truck engine available.  The Volvo VT 880 and D16 were introduced at a press conference here today.
 
“The Volvo VT 880 was designed for the owner operator who wants a very powerful, productive and efficient truck, with high horsepower and intense visual appeal,” said Peter Karlsten, VTNA president and CEO.  “This customer demands performance, power and an on-road image that matches the way he views himself – a successful and progressive businessman.  The VT 880 with the D16 engine delivers all of that and more.”

 Typical applications for the Volvo VT 880 with the D16’s high power ratings would be for customers who want to maintain high average legal speeds through mountains while transporting full-weight loads, such as refrigerated operations.  It will also be excellent for heavy haul, drop frame and other high gross weight applications.  The Volvo VT 880 will also be attractive to image-conscious and performance-oriented owner operators who value comfort, maneuverability and safety.

The Volvo VT 880 is available for U.S. and Canadian customers to order now, with customer deliveries beginning in June.  Production at the New River Valley Plant will start in April at a low level and ramp up, with full production beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

In addition to being designed for style and power, the Volvo VT 880 was engineered to deliver lower operating costs, including fuel economy, driver productivity and lower maintenance.  All of this, plus the quality of a Volvo, will help owner operators with their need for higher resale values for their trucks.

Volvo also looked to the future as it developed the VT 880. The truck is prepared to meet the demanding cooling requirements that will come with the 2007 and 2010 emissions standards.  Its large grille and long hood, plus aerodynamic features designed to channel cooling airflow around the engine, ensure that the VT 880’s engines will keep their cool and perform as designed, even under the most demanding conditions.

Delivering the Image
Owner operators want their trucks to impress, which means components with bright chrome, polished aluminum or shiny steel finishes are essential to the look of their trucks.  The Volvo VT 880 stands out with modern Volvo interpretations of these classic features:
· A chrome grille that is 15% larger than other Volvo grilles, with a full chrome surround.
· Chrome bezels for the headlamps, inside the distinctive aerodynamic lamps.
· A polished, all-steel bumper, with a three-piece design for improved serviceability, plus available inset fog lamps with LED accent lights.
· Chrome air intake surrounds, with inset LEDs for a distinctive look at night.
· Polished steps, fuel tanks and tank straps, and quarter fenders highlight the side of the cab.
· And polished twin exhaust stacks, moved outboard to follow the profile of the cab; or, the stacks can also be mounted inboard for a more aerodynamic look.

The Volvo VT 880 also has two other elements owner operators typically look for in a “classic style” truck: a set-forward front axle and a long hood.  But Volvo took these classic elements and gave them a modern Volvo interpretation, for a look unlike anything else on the road.

Delivering the Performance
While the Volvo VT 880 has an aggressive and powerful stance, the entire chassis has been tuned by Volvo engineers to produce a remarkably comfortable ride and smooth handling.  The front axle has been moved forward 12.4 inches (315 mm) to what Volvo calls the “Comfort Position.”  This position optimizes cooling airflow for the high-horsepower engine, while giving the Volvo VT 880 an excellent 45-degree wheel cut.  This is consistent with Volvo’s reputation for superior handling and maneuverability.

 Just as the front axle moved forward, the cab itself moved back 8 inches (200 mm) on the chassis.  This isolated the cab from the engine for an even quieter and smoother ride.  It also gave the Volvo VT 880 a long 200-inch BBC (bumper to back of sleeper cab), which allows owner operators to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy by spec’ing a smaller gap between cab and trailer.

 To handle the awesome 2250 lb-ft of torque produced by the 625 hp Volvo D16 engine, the Volvo VT 880 offers a non-torque-reactive rear suspension, the Hendrickson Primaax.  It was specially engineered to provide a smooth, comfortable ride and good handling in high-torque, high gross weight applications.

Like all Volvos, the Volvo VT 880 is designed to deliver the safety performance that has been a core value since the founding of the company three-quarters of a century ago.  The cab is made from welded high-strength steel and complies with the famous Swedish Impact Test, the most stringent truck crashworthiness test in the world.  A driver’s airbag is standard.  And the VT 880 will be available with Bendix enhanced stability protection braking systems.

Delivering the Great Indoors
Volvo has developed a reputation as the leading premium sleeper truck brand.  The Volvo VT 880 carries that standard into the very demanding world of owner operators, whose truck may be their home for weeks at a time.  The same ergonomics found in all Volvos are present in the VT 880, but with their own special feel.

The Volvo VT 880’s 77-inch sleeper cab has more than 374 cubic feet of space, and more than 520 cubic feet of total living space, including the driver and passenger seat area. The high-roof design has plenty of room to stand up, and the living area is intelligently designed to maximize storage and convenience, while still providing ample space to stretch out and relax, without being cramped.

With the Volvo VT 880, owner operators can choose from three beautifully coordinated interior design packages.  Volvo’s flagship comes with its own unique interior trim package, Premier, which is not available on other Volvo trucks.  This top-of-the-line interior has a light tan color, similar to high-end luxury cars, with leather seats and brick-colored accent trim. This combination makes the VT 880’s already huge interior seem even larger and more welcoming.

The sleeper has an optional workstation that functions as dining table, office desk and den. After supper, the bench seats quickly convert to a full-length lower bunk. The upper bunk with premium mattress folds out from the back of the cab, and a foldaway ladder allows easy access.

The Engine
 The Volvo D16 engine is the heart of the new VT 880 and is the most powerful engine on the market.  The truck was designed around the engine, for maximum performance and fuel economy.  The D16, in conjunction with the aerodynamic and efficient VT 880, was designed to have best-in-class performance for fuel economy, high-speed gradeability, and driveability, plus more useable power than competitors.

As an example of the D16’s usable power, the VT 880 operating at 80,000 pounds can maintain 65 mph on a 3% grade while running at 1400 rpm.  That is an unmatched combination of torque, power and aerodynamics in the Volvo VT 880’s market.

Volvo VT 880 Specifications
· BBC:  200 inches (bumper to back of sleeper cab)
· Front Axle Position: 43.1 inches
· Cab Size: 77-inch raised roof sleeper
· Engines: 
o Volvo D16 – from 500 hp @ 1850 lb-ft to 625 hp @ 2250 lb-ft
o Cummins ISX – from 475 hp @ 1850 lb-ft to 565 hp @ 1850 lb-ft
· Transmission: 
o Eaton RTO, RTLO 10, 13, 18 speeds
o Eaton Autoshift 10 and 18 speeds
· Front Axle:  12,000 – 13,200 lb spring suspension
· Rear Axle: 
o 40 - 46K Rear Axles ( Dana Spicer, Meritor)
o Amboid Rear Axle (multi-torque)
· Rear Suspension: 
o 38 - 40K Volvo Air Suspension
o 46K High-Torque/High GCW Non-Torque-Reactive Suspension
· Frame Rails:  7 Sizes RBM 1,382,000-2,448,000
· Interior Trim: 
o Premiere (unique to VT 880) – “Saddle” color, with “Brick” accent
o Elite (two trim levels) – Aurora and Prism, with “Saddle” accents

Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VT, VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the ISO14001 and ISO9001 certified New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.  Volvo sponsors the America’s Road Team national highway safety outreach program.

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc., is part of the Volvo Group of companies, a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.  With 2003 sales of approximately $22 billion, Volvo’s business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace, and financial services.  In the United States, Volvo shares are listed on NASDAQ and are traded as ADRs (symbol: VOLVY).