International Truck and Engine Corp. said its ProStar Class 8 tractorhas 9 percent less aerodynamic drag than its nearest competitor, whichcan mean more than 4 percent better fuel economy for customers.

A 4 percent improvement in fuel economy translates to $2,000 per year per truck for someone driving 120,000 miles per year, currently averaging six miles per gallon and paying $2.65 per gallon for fuel, the company said.

“Fuel conservation has become more important than ever, as the dramatic rise in fuel prices takes its toll on haulers’ bottom line,” said Tom Baughman, vice president and general manager, heavy vehicle center, International Truck and Engine Corp. “Aerodynamic drag, or air resistance, represents about 50 percent of the total force resisting vehicle movement at 65 miles per hour. Reducing it by just 2 percent can improve fuel economy by 1 percent at highway speeds.”

International said it employs computational fluid dynamics, or CFD analyses, one-eighth scale and full-scale wind tunnel tests and on-road evaluations to arrive at the design solutions that reduce aerodynamic drag.

To maximize efficiencies, International engineers said they recommend spec’ing trucks with the following features:
• A patented “pod” air fairing on the roof, which creates a more streamlined shape that guides the air around the trailer. Available on International heavy tractor products, the “pod” is a major contributor to aerodynamic drag reduction, they said. The pod air fairing reduces drag by up to 20 percent, allowing for up to 10 percent improved fuel economy, they said.
• A patented aerodynamic mirror that incorporates a “trip strip” feature to keep airflow attached around more of the surface of the mirror head. The patented aero mirrors can reduce drag by up to 2 percent, they said, allowing for up to 1 percent improved fuel economy.
• Chassis-skirts that run along the side of the cab and cover the fuel tank and battery box are designed to reduce drag by as much as 7 percent, allowing for a 3 percent improvement in fuel economy, they said.

Additional features that come standard on ProStar is the elliptical shape in the tractor’s A-pillar, the optimized windshield rake angle, minimized gaps between tires and the fenders and a front bumper designed to maximize airflow past the front tires and around the side of the tractor and trailer that also contains optimally located slots for cooling airflow.

Additional information is available at www.internationaldelivers.com.