Volvo Trucks’ I-Shift intelligent automated manual transmission (AMT) innovation continues to be an important milestone in the industry, thanks to its positive impact on fuel consumption, vehicle performance, safety and driver comfort.
By the end of 2020, more than one million Volvo trucks around the world had been sold with I-Shift. And, as the company marks its 20th anniversary, this breakthrough powertrain technology is still being developed for future gains.
When I-Shift was first launched in 2001, Volvo Trucks confirmed its strong belief in a clutch-based transmission system as the most efficient design for automatic gear-changing. Today, all Volvo FH, FH16, FM and FMX trucks are fitted with I-Shift as standard.
Being an automated system, I-Shift contributes to lower fuel consumption – and thereby reduced environmental impact – as well as delivering improved safety and driveability benefits such as reduced noise, vibrations and physical strain on the driver.
“I-Shift was and still is a major game-changer. We are now selling the I-Shift all over the world. In North America, we have increased from single-digit numbers in 2007 to today where more than 90per cent of all Volvo trucks there are equipped with the technology,” says Pär Bergstrand, Heavy Duty Transmission Manager at Volvo Trucks. This impressive development clearly reflects both its increased efficiency and its driver appeal.”
The launch of Volvo Trucks’ new heavy-duty range in 2020 brought the introduction of another innovative function: I-Shift with Change Direction. This enables the truck to change direction without the driver needing to use the brake pedal, a feature particularly useful for construction, forestry and mining operations where it is more productive to perform repetitive manoeuvres back and forth at lower speed.
The latest generation of Volvo trucks also further reduces fuel consumption. The new Volvo FH with I-Save – Volvo Trucks’ most fuel-efficient long-haul truck to date – cuts fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent. And, looking ahead, the innovative developments certainly aren’t stopping here.
“I-Shift will continue to be improved for diesel trucks and it will also play an important role in our electromobility journey. As an advanced automation technology, I-Shift offers unique abilities to contribute to Volvo’s fully autonomous transport solutions of the future,” concludes Bergstrand
