Speed boost for Volvo I-Shift transmission

A 30 per cent increase in gearchange speed is claimed by Volvo Trucks for its I-Shift heavy-duty automated manual transmission. Faster gearchanges will reduce fuel consumption, aid comfort and improve journey time.

Faster clutch actuation reduces torque interruption, and the system is now governed by inputs from more accurate sensors, while the control unit itself has new software and a faster microprocessor. An additional disc has been added to the gearbox brake for quicker response, and the air volume in the actuation systems has been reduced, enabling faster operation of clutch, shift forks and gearbox brake.

The introduction of I-Shift in 2001 did much to increase the acceptance of automated transmission for drivers and operators, and it is now standard equipment across the Volvo heavy-duty range.

Pär Bergstrand, heavy-duty transmission manager at Volvo Trucks, said: “With all the improvements and new variants over the years, I-Shift has had an outstanding ability to solve more and more advanced tasks in efficient ways. This means not only delivering high performance and fuel efficiency but also outstanding driveability and comfort for the drivers.”