Volvo truck sets new world record speeds

A Volvo hybrid truck driven by Swedish driver Boije Ovebrink set two new world records: a flying kilometre (reaching the highest average speed over a 1,000-metre course, from a flying start) record of 236.577km/h and a standing kilometre (reaching the highest average speed over a 1,000-metre course, from a standing start) record of 153.252km/h.

‘Mean Green’ eclipsed its previous records – 218.780km/h in the flying kilometre and 152.253km/h in the standing kilometre  – which it established in June last year at Hultsfred Airport in Sweden. “We are very pleased with ‘Mean Green’s performance, especially at such a high altitude,” said Boije Ovebrink, Mean Green’s driver and owner. “We knew Wendover would present challenges because it’s more than 4,200 feet (1,280 metres) above sea level.”

Though Mean Green does not look like any truck produced by Volvo, the underpinnings of the machine are sourced from parts used in production models of Volvo buses and trucks. The cab has been sourced from a truck sold in North America, the VN daycab and is bolted on to the frame of another truck, the FH. The floor of the truck was modified, the chassis has been lowered by 750mm and the height of the cab has been reduced compared to the truck it is based on.

The hybrid engine system that propels the Mean Green consists of two engines: a Volvo D16 diesel engine which has been tuned to produce 1,900 horsepower and 5,580Nm of torque (stock engine has rating of 500-550 horsepower and 1,850Nm of torque). A 600-volt electrical motor sourced from a Volvo hybrid bus which produces 200 horsepower and 1,200Nm of torque (160hp and 800Nm of torque in its less mental state) helps the truck accelerate rapidly. This hybrid power system is mated to a stock automatic transmission, though the clutch had to be strengthened to handle all the power. The diesel engine has parts added from a PENTA Industrial Engine(!), which includes a two-stage turbocharger. The battery pack is sourced from a hybrid bus, and has lithium-ion cells inside.

Aerodynamics of the truck is helped by a new bonnet which helps reducing air resistance, racing seats and glass fibre doors reduce weight. The power from the propulsion system is put on the road through custom made, 495mm rear tyres. The rear axle has been modified, air suspension and an anti-roll bar/stabiliser added to keep the truck planted at high speeds.

To understand how fast this truck really is check the drag race between it and a Ferrari on YouTube. Guess who won.