Volvo Trucks North America today introduced the Volvo I-Shift automated transmission for model year 2008. I-Shift can be ordered now for delivery in the second quarter of 2007.

The transmission is designed specifically for Volvo’s new family of heavy-duty diesel engines. The company said it incorporates a host of fuel-saving and productivity-enhancing features into a reliable, durable and lightweight design.

“We believe customers will immediately recognize the advantages I-Shift offers for productivity, lower cost of operation, driver recruitment and retention, and safety,” said Scott Kress, senior vice president – sales & marketing. “The combination of I-Shift with Volvo’s new engine family gives our customers a complete vehicle and drivetrain solution.
“The truck, the engine and the transmission have all been engineered and designed to work as one integrated, exceptionally efficient machine,” Kress said. “Customers can always get the perfect ratio at the right time for optimal engine and vehicle performance, which means a higher degree of productivity, fuel economy and reliability. And I-Shift’s light weight means more payload per trip.”

Volvo will offer three I-Shift models, with the ability to handle all power and torque inputs from its new engine family, including the top 600 hp/2050 lb.-ft. rating. I-Shift will be available for all Volvo truck models, including the Volvo VN and Volvo VT highway tractors, and the Volvo VHD vocational truck.

Volvo has sold approximately 80,000 I-Shift transmissions in other markets, including 19,000 in Europe in the first six months of 2006, the company said. The I-Shift was introduced in early 2002, and is Volvo’s third generation of automated manual transmission; the first generation was introduced in 1987.

For more information, visit http://www.volvotrucks.us.com/.