Volvo Trucks, the heavy‑vehicle division of Volvo Group, has produced a range of diesel engines for its trucks since the 1930s. The engines are identified by a designation that usually reflects the number of cylinders and, in modern series, the approximate displacement in litres. Below is a consolidated overview of the principal engine families that have been offered in Volvo‑branded trucks, organized by displacement and production era.
Current (2020 – present) Engine Families
| Engine designation | Configuration | Displacement | Power output (kW / hp) | Torque (Nm) | Primary applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D5 | 4‑cylinder inline, common‑rail | 4.0 L | 150–210 kW (200–285 hp) | 650–900 Nm | Volvo FM, FH, FE, FL series (light‑to‑medium duty) |
| D6 | 6‑cylinder inline, common‑rail | 6.4 L | 210–250 kW (285–340 hp) | 1 050–1 200 Nm | Volvo FM, FH (mid‑range) |
| D9 | 6‑cylinder inline, common‑rail | 9.0 L | 260–330 kW (355–440 hp) | 1 350–1 600 Nm | Volvo FH, FM (heavy‑duty) |
| D11 | 6‑cylinder inline, common‑rail | 11.0 L | 300–440 kW (410–600 hp) | 1 800–2 600 Nm | Volvo FH, FM (long‑haul, construction) |
| D13 | V8, common‑rail | 13.0 L | 370–460 kW (500–620 hp) | 2 300–2 800 Nm | Volvo FH, FM, VNL (North American market) |
All current engines meet Euro VI/US EPA Tier 4 final emissions standards and are equipped with Volvo’s Turbocharger Power Technology (VT) and exhaust after‑treatment systems (scrubber and selective catalytic reduction).
Recent (2000 – 2019) Engine Families
| Engine designation | Configuration | Displacement | Production years | Power range | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D7 | 6‑cylinder inline | 7.3 L | 2005 – 2014 | 225–280 kW (300–375 hp) | Replaced by the D9; used in early FH3 models. |
| D8 | 8‑cylinder V8 (prototype) | 8.0 L | Limited use 2010 – 2012 | — | Experimental V8 used in a small batch of FH trucks for testing. |
| D9 (earlier) | 6‑cylinder inline | 9.0 L | 2014 – 2020 | 260–350 kW (350–470 hp) | Updated to meet Euro VI emissions; succeeded by the revised D9. |
| D12 | V12 (concept) | 12.0 L | 1990s (concept) | — | Never entered series production for trucks; appeared only in concept vehicles. |
Historical Engine Families (Pre‑2000)
| Engine designation | Configuration | Displacement | Production years | Power (kW / hp) | Application sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD73 | 5‑cylinder inline | 7.3 L | 1935 – 1960s | 85–115 kW (115–155 hp) | Early Volvo PV series trucks. |
| TD100 | 6‑cylinder inline | 9.8 L | 1960 – 1970s | 140–170 kW (190–230 hp) | Volvo Titan, F86. |
| TD120 | 6‑cylinder inline | 11.9 L | 1973 – 1993 | 180–230 kW (240–310 hp) | Volvo F10, F12. |
| DS12 | 12‑cylinder V | 12.1 L | 1974 – 1991 | 225–270 kW (300–360 hp) | Volvo 200 series heavy‑duty trucks. |
| B36 / B40 / B44 | 4‑cylinder inline | 3.6–4.4 L | 1950 – 1990s | 70–130 kW (95–175 hp) | Used in lighter Volvo trucks and some industrial applications. |
| B48 | 5‑cylinder inline | 4.8 L | 1977 – 1990s | 110–150 kW (150–200 hp) | Volvo F88, FM series (early models). |
| D6A (pre‑Euro) | 6‑cylinder inline | 6.8 L | 1994 – 2005 | 200–260 kW (270–350 hp) | Early FH and FM trucks, replaced by the modern D6. |
Power figures for historic engines are given as typical maximum outputs; variations existed due to market‑specific tuning and emission‑control options.
Engine Naming Conventions
- Letter “D” – Denotes a diesel engine intended for Volvo trucks.
- Letter “TD” – Early designation where “T” signified “Truck” and “D” for diesel.
- Letter “B” – Used for smaller, 4‑cylinder truck engines (derived from “Björn”, the internal project name).
- Numeric part – Approximate displacement in litres (e.g., D13 ≈ 13 L).
Summary
Volvo Trucks has continuously evolved its engine portfolio to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations while delivering higher power density and fuel efficiency. The current lineup (D5, D6, D9, D11, D13) covers a broad spectrum from regional distribution trucks to ultra‑long‑haul and heavy‑construction applications. Historical engines such as the TD73, TD100, and DS12 illustrate the company’s long‑term development trajectory from modest 5‑cylinder units to modern V8 powerplants.
