This story first appeared in the April issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
Volvo Trucks New Zealand importer Motor Truck Distributors (MTD) will be launching the Volvo I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission in New Zealand with a national road trip as part of the brand’s 25th Anniversary celebrations this year.
The road trip kicks off on May 12 and is made up of 20 driving legs of 100km each.
Using sports car industry technology, the dual clutch lifts the driveability in heavy trucks to a whole new level.
The I-Shift Dual Clutch is the first transmission of its kind for serial produced heavy vehicles.
Dual clutch technology means that two gears can be engaged simultaneously.
The clutches control which gear is active and enable the transition from one active gear to another instantly by simply switching from one clutch to the other.
The greatest advantage of the I-Shift Dual Clutch is the uninterrupted power transfer.
The torque is maintained, and the truck does not lose speed while shifting gears, resulting in a more comfortable, efficient driving experience.Dual clutch technology was first introduced in racing cars and later also in passenger and sports cars.
The I-Shift Dual Clutch has already been launched in Europe and the sophisticated vehicle technology has proven its worth, earning both design awards and driver accolades.
Paul France, MTD Trucks NZ national sales manager for Volvo Trucks, says the technology makes a huge improvement for driving comfort.
“The Volvo Group’s engineers have developed vehicle technology that is making life easier for our customers around the world — we are delighted to be able to bring the dual clutch to New Zealand.
“The I-Shift dual clutch is just one example of Volvo’s innovation and our ability to lead technological developments in heavy trucking — something that we are celebrating on the road as part of our 25th anniversary, Evolution25 campaign later this year,” France says.
