Volvo trucks to come with I-Shift Dual Clutch.

Sweden based Volvo Trucks has taken yet another step towards delivering value engineered products. The company is now launching I-Shift Dual Clutch. It will be the first transmission on the market with a dual clutch system for heavy vehicles.  The I-Shift Dual Clutch will be available later this year on the Volvo FH with Euro 6 D13 engines and with 460, 500 and 540 horsepower.

Transmissions with dual clutches are already used in cars, but now Volvo Trucks will be the first manufacturer in the world to offer a similar solution for heavy vehicles. With the I-Shift Dual Clutch not only does the power-shift gear changes without any interruption in power delivery, but the torque is maintained. The end result, the truck does not lose any speed during gear changes. Thus, the driver enjoys more comfortable and efficient progress on the road.

Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks explains that in certain situations like driving on hills or roads with lots of curves and bends, a lot of gear change is required. But with I-Shift Dual Clutch this is sorted out and it brings an entirely new dimension to truck driving.

Technically speaking, the I-Shift Dual Clutch is a transmission consisting of two input shafts and a dual clutch. This in essence means that two gears can be selected at the same time. The clutch here determines which of the gears are currently active. I-Shift Dual Clutch is based on I-Shift, but the front half of the gearbox has been redesigned with entirely new components, said a company press note.

Astrid Drewsen, product manager for drivelines at the company further explains the concept of I-Shift Dual Clutch saying that when driving the truck it feels like one has access to two gearboxes. “When one gear is selected in one gearbox, the next gear is already prepared in the other. With dual clutches, gear changes take place without any interruption in power delivery. As a result, engine torque is maintained and driving comfort is significantly improved,” she says.

Drewsen further noted that for trucks, this gearbox will truly make a major difference to driveability. In fact, she said that this technology will make immense sense in heavy trucks carrying heavy goods, as it makes it easy for the driver  to drive the loaded vehicle.

I-Shift Dual Clutch also makes a big difference when transporting, moving or liquid cargoes, such as animal transports and tanker operations. This is so because the smooth gear changes result in less movement in the cargo itself.  Also, with this technology, there is less risk of getting stuck on slippery or uneven roads.

Source: Volvo Trucks.