That’s the attitude we’re taking towards “Mean Green,” the Volvo truck that the Swedish company is using to try and set the land-speed record for hybrid trucks.
And while neither the words “hybrid” or “truck” conjure up images of blazing speed, it’s a formidable attempt by Volvo, which says it will get “Mean Green” to top 165 miles per hour. Volvo will hold the time trials at Utah’s Wendover Airfield on April 27.
Volvo, which unveiled “Mean Green” at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week, says the beast cranks out 2,100 horsepower and almost 5,000 pound-feet of torque. And – get this – about 10 percent of the truck’s horsepower and about 17 percent of its torque comes from an electric motor, which should save a couple Rocky Mountain trees.
Like the rock star it is, “Mean Green” is being taken on a North American tour by Volvo, appearing at Toronto’s Truck World in April and at the Volvo Ocean Race, which takes place in Miami in May. No word on whether “Mean Green” can float.
23/03/12 from Volvo Trucks
‘Mean Green’, the world’s fastest hybrid truck, will attempt to reach speeds in excess of 260 km/h (165 mph) on April 27th at Wendover Airfield in Utah, USA, to try and beat its own world speed records set only last year by ‘Mean Green’s driver, Boije Ovebrink.
The Volvo-built hybrid currently holds speed records in the standing 500 metre, standing kilometre and flying kilometre – international speed standards*.
“Technology and innovation are at the core of our business,” said Ron Huibers, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “‘Mean Green’ is a prime example of Volvo’s technical capabilities and our continued focus on emerging technologies. Our engineers developed the world’s fastest hybrid truck utilising the same Volvo hybrid drive system powering hundreds of Volvo buses throughout the world – including London’s double-decker buses.”
In building the ‘Mean Green’, which was revealed by Volvo Trucks yesterday at the Mid-America Trucking Show, Volvo’s team of hybrid technology experts adapted Volvo’s hybrid driveline to the chassis requirements of a world-class truck built for speed. Engineers then outfitted ‘Mean Green’ with a highly-tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox, which interacts with the hybrid’s electric motor.
“The result is a lightning-speed boost from start-off without any of the customary diesel-engine delay,” said Boije Ovebrink, ‘Mean Green’s owner and driver. “It’s like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine, which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with an explosive force.”
In total, Mean Green pumps out a massive 2,100 horsepower and nearly 5,000 lb-ft (6779 Nm) of torque – of which 200 horsepower and 885 lb-ft (1200 Nm) of torque come from the electric motor. Aerodynamics also plays a vital role in achieving top speed, so Volvo designers selected a North American VN cab and sculpted the optimal aerodynamic shape for the truck.
Mean Green features modified versions of the following Volvo production components:
Volvo hybrid motor
Volvo hybrid battery
Volvo D16 diesel engine
Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission
Volvo VN cab and frame
Rear axle with 1.85:1 ratio
During its North American tour, Mean Green will also visit Truck World, in Toronto (April 19 to 21) and the Volvo Ocean Race when it reaches in Miami (May 17 to 20).
– ENDS –
* Standing kilometre – The international speed record for the standing kilometre is all about reaching the highest average speed over a 1,000 metre course, from a standing start.
Flying kilometre – The international speed record is all about reaching the highest average speed over a 1,000 metre course, from a flying start.
The average speed from the two runs is noted as the official figure.
The records for both are official records approved by the FIA, the international motorsport umbrella organisation.
Caption for images :
1. Boije Ovebrink has now set three ‘unofficial’ world records with his hybrid ‘Mean Green’
2. The new hybrid racer is powerful – both under the bonnet and in terms of appearance.
Notes for Editors :
1. On June 28th 2011 Boije Ovebrink set no fewer than three unofficial world records with ‘Mean Green’ at Hultsfred Airport in Sweden.
2. ‘Mean Green’s record-breaking feat had first be analysed and verified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) before it became the official world record.
