In addition to presenting the new generation of trucks that are leaders in the Brazilian market and that have the preference of customers in more than 30 countries, Volkswagen Truck & Bus confirms its purpose of developing sustainable transport solutions for all, with the support of its worldwide engineering center based in Brazil. In this edition of the fair, the company exhibits two new vehicles in an exclusive area for the topic: the Constellation 26.280 Biomethane model and the Meteor Hybrid concept, alongside the new generation of the e-Delivery light electric truck. The booth complements are the brand's broadest commercial portfolio and the latest aftermarket and connectivity solutions, next to diverse attractions for the general public, such as racing VW truck simulators and more.
“Our factory in Brazil will also join efforts in this sustainable journey, adding 10% of HVO, a renewable diesel, to the first supply of its products on the assembly line. As a sales leader in the Brazilian truck market, we have assumed our leading position to bring innovative concepts to the cargo transportation sector that can help guide the next generations of commercial vehicles,” says Roberto Cortes, president and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus.
After presenting the Future Program in 2022, which promotes actions and leverages good practices for an even more sustainable legacy for future generations, this time the brand is moving forward with its decarbonization studies, one of the pillars of its ESG strategy, all with 100% Brazilian development. This year's highlight is the unprecedented VW Meteor Hybrid concept truck with intelligent traction system, a concept developed in partnership with Suspensys to study a solution aimed at road transport that does not depend on specific loading infrastructure.
Equipped with a diesel engine and an electric auxiliary axle, this prototype can run for kilometers without recharging. All of this is automatically calibrated using technologies incorporated into the vehicle by VWTB, with the potential to reduce CO2e emissions by more than 90% when combined with the use of HVO. To gain even more efficiency, it presents also an innovative aerodynamic package.
Another highlight is the Constellation 26.280 powered by biomethane that will start testing in customer fleets in 2025. The model has the longest range on the market for gas vehicles with 240 cubic meters (or 960 liters) of storage capacity and achieves the maximum environmental benefit when fueled with biomethane, with a reduction of up to 90% in CO2e emissions, a solution in line with the high availability of this fuel in the main application it seeks to serve, waste collection.
The new generation of the e-Delivery, on the other hand, debuts an engine with greater torque and higher payload capacity, as well as more connectivity in the cab and solutions to reduce recharge time and facilitate its use in new applications. The first company to develop and produce a 100% electric truck in Latin America, VW Truck & Bus already makes significant contributions: with vehicles in operation on the continent, more than 15,000 tons of CO2e emissions are avoided per year compared to the same category of diesel vehicle.
And the efforts to decarbonize with its vehicles do not stop there. For the first time, every first supply of vehicles on the production line will be made with 10% renewable diesel, called HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). Thus, along with the 14% of biodiesel that already makes up Brazilian standard commercial diesel, the percentage of renewable fuel used in the operation rises to 24%. To have a comparison, between HVO and pure fossil diesel, the reduction is up to 90% in greenhouse gas emissions due to the complete cycle of production and use of the fuel.
Complete portfolio of solutions for cargo transportation
With options from light commercials to heavy trucks, VWTB has an extensive range for its customers' needs and now this family has grown. The big news is the Constellation 20.480, the most powerful in its 4x2 tractor category, with 56 tons of total gross weight, ideal for medium and long distance applications with large volume loads. Also arriving on the market are the new Constellation 25.480 HD and Meteor 28.480 HD, which debut on the market with reinforced axles for more load capacity. For the Meteor line, another gain is the retarder brake, which provides high braking power when descending hills.
VW Truck & Bus is also evolving with its technological package, named Highline, which offers the brand's most modern instrument panel, 100% digital and with 10 inches, as well as a state-of-the-art multifunctional multimedia center with 7 inches, and more integrated solutions such as the possibility of remotely locking the vehicle from the RIO platform and integration with the new VolksConnect application, in the concept of a truck in the palm of your hand to control functions and access information with a few clicks on your cell phone.
Speaking of connected solutions, the new Trucker Assist consists of an application focused on the driver's journey to facilitate management and experience inside the vehicle, providing greater collaboration in the daily journey. It is part of the efforts of the brand's service platform, VolksCare, which strengthens its operations to ensure higher uptime, efficiency and safety to its customers with a universe of solutions in its strategy.
Largest booth at the fair to attract visitors
With 3,600 square meters, the VWTB booth is the largest to expand customer experiences. In addition to enjoying different commercial conditions for trading at the fair and checking out all the news from Volkswagen Truck & Bus, visitors will be able to take a test drive with the new Constellation 20.480, e-Delivery 11t and Meteor 29.530 on the fair's external circuit. The booth itself is an attraction, with 20 vehicles on display, and entertains the public as well with a Copa Truck driving simulator, giving users the opportunity to drive a Volkswagen racing truck.
Customers will be able to keep a memory of this moment with 180° photo activations and take a closer look at actions aimed at the company's internationalization, showing the brand's participation around the world. Its ESG policies, with guidelines and actions aimed at VWTB's sustainability, will also be highlighted, along with the exclusive VolksCare service solutions area, where customers can win awards. Brand partners such as BMB, VolksConfia, VW Truck Rental and Consórcio Maggi have dedicated space. Everything to guarantee visitors the best Fenatran ever.
Highlighting the space dedicated to sustainability at the Volkswagen Truck & Bus booth during Fenatran 2024, the VW Meteor Hybrid concept truck with intelligent traction system was developed in partnership with Suspensys to study a solution aimed at road transport tailored to the Brazilian infrastructure. Equipped with a diesel engine and an electric auxiliary axle, this prototype comes with embedded technology to manage the use of each powertrain automatically, according to the route and battery availability, even anticipating topographies ahead on the road.
The combination provides more traction capacity as the third axle becomes tractive, transforming the model into a 6x4 whenever necessary. This translates into more torque when going uphill or starting power when the concept vehicle is towing a loaded trailer. Preliminary studies indicate that this configuration can reduce travel time thanks to the additional power. On hills, for example, the model gains up to 20% speed dueto its additional 35% tractive force at the wheels.
On the other hand, it also has a system to raise the auxiliary axle when it is not towing, causing less wear on the tires. Operating costs also benefit from lower demands on the diesel engine and braking system. In addition, the regeneration system recovers energy in decelerations, increasing efficiency and battery economy. The extension of its autonomy varies depending on the operation and the route.
This concept is in line with Volkswagen Truck & Bus' strategy of leading the way in decarbonization, the first automaker to develop and produce a 100% electric truck in Latin America. This time, the concept adds solutions for electrification while at the same time making the need for infrastructure more flexible, since the model can run solely on the diesel engine if there is no possibility of charging for long-distance journeys or even receive a recharge on a low-voltage system (with 220V). The model also features the high-voltage fast charging system, with the standard CCS2 system.
Cutting-edge aerodynamics
To further increase environmental and efficiency gains, the Meteor Hybrid concept features an aerodynamic package with a sophisticated set of deflectors, ranging from the roof to the sides of the cab and chassis, also incorporating extenders to take account of the battery pack, to ensure greater aerodynamics, along with rubber protection all over the underside. The hubcaps have a special design to reduce drag.
On board the cab, the driver enjoys a greater field of vision, with a range of more than two kilometers, thanks to the system of cameras and monitors that eliminates blind spots and allows better visibility at night thanks to infrared sensors, as well as contributing to a lower aerodynamic drag coefficient. Adjustments are not required during maneuvering of the vehicle, and operators are offered greater control in avoiding obstacles while in reverse.
Solution favors the environment
Initial tests estimate that the Meteor Hybrid concept can reduce diesel consumption by up to 10%, depending on the topography of its operation. This reflects directly on CO2e emissions, which can correspond to more than 25 tons avoided per year. And the potential may be even greater: the reduction exceeds 90% if supplied with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), also known as renewable diesel, as is the case of the model being presented at this Fenatran 2024. In this scenario, 230 tons would be avoided.
Volkswagen Truck & Bus is exhibiting new sustainable solutions at the International Freight Transport Trade Show - Fenatran in São Paulo (Brazil). Among the highlights presented by the company is the Constellation 26.280 model powered by biomethane, with the largest storage capacity in its application segment, the most powerful engine and the potential for a 90% reduction in CO2e emissions. The first real operational tests of the vehicle will be carried out by customers from 2025.
Designed according to the needs of companies in the solid waste collection sector, the prototype brings configurations characteristic of the Compactor vocational family. High technology, high performance and compliance with the heaviest operational requirements, differentials already known by customers, are combined with the new fuel alternative for the trucks. The vehicle is equipped with carbon steel tanks that add up to 240 cubic meters (960 liters) of storage capacity, the largest on its segment, allowing it to cover long distances without the need for frequent refueling, with a range of up to 300 kilometers.
Committed to ESG guidelines and attentive to the needs of the market, VWTB invested in the use of biomethane, a fuel that has a positive and significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, reducing CO2e emissions in the well-to-wheel cycle by up to 90%. In a typical operation where the vehicle travels 50,000 to 70,000 kilometers per year, this is equivalent to a reduction of 150 tons of CO2e emitted per year. In addition, it is a renewable fuel, that is, its production can be continuous, as long as there is a constant source of organic matter.
Therefore, from an economic point of view, the Constellation 26.280 Biomethane also contributes to a particularly interesting scenario. The fuel savings generated by the own production of biomethane enables a low operating cost. This model features a fully automatic transmission and an Otto cycle engine with 280 hp of power and 1,100 Nm of torque, similar to the diesel version.
Combined, the settings offer the driver greater starting ability, faster acceleration, better traction, and more comfortable and controlled driving. After all, waste collection requires a powerful vehicle to overcome obstacles and ensure efficiency on routes.
The engine also brings significant reduction in noise levels. The insulating materials and efficient exhaust system contribute to a quieter working environment for the collectors and a lower noise impact in cities, enabling night-time operations in urban centers. Thanks to its simple and robust architecture, with a three-way catalytic converter exhaust gas after-treatment system, this engine model also offers low maintenance and high durability.
Comfort and technology for all operations
Maintaining the technology standard of VW trucks, Constellation 26.280 Biomethane has a retarder brake, an intelligent system that guarantees even more safety, control and efficiency to operations, enabling the optimization of the total cost of operation and a significant increase in the useful life of the components. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with stability control and hill start assist, items that provide even more reliability to operations. The project debuts a new steering system, modular suspensions and axles.
With more than 35,000 new-generation VW trucks already sold in Brazil, the brand is investing in new features to provide customers with even more profitability, in line with its well-established concept of “less you don't want, more you don't need”. The main protagonist of the brand's launches at this year's Fenatran is the Constellation 20.480. Developed to complete the brand's heavy-duty offer, the model is the most powerful in its category of 4x2 tractor units, with 56 tons of combined gross vehicle weight. In the fastest Brazilian growing segment, the heavy-duty segment, VW Truck & Bus complements the offer to expand the portfolio and ensure that the customer has options for any type of application, always at the best operating cost. At the same time that it launches the VW Constellation 20.480, it also increases the load capacity of its 6x2 tractor units to increase efficiency in Brazilian logistics. With the same purpose, Brazil's first 100%electric truck has been given a new engine to provide even more torque and increase its maximum towing capacity to 15 tons.
Another great pillar of the brand's innovations is technology, with even more connectivity and convenience on board. The Highline package features the most modern dashboard in the VWTB family, with a multimedia center and integration with the new VolksConnect app, which brings the truck concept to the palm of your hand and links real time information to vehicle controls from your cell phone. In addition, this configuration will allow remote blocking of the truck inside the RIO platform for more safety in operation.
The other packages also incorporate new attributes for driver comfort, positively impacting the day-to-day productivity of the country's streets and roads. The goal is always to provide solutions that, in essence, increase vehicle availability and customer profitability, either by driver performance or, mainly, by the entire ecosystem that the automaker offers within the VolksCare umbrella.
With a complete journey that favors all stages of the customer's aftersales, VW Truck & Bus continues to expand its attention and partnership with the customer. What's new now is the Trucker Assist app, which brings together on a single platform facilities such as communication between driver and fleet manager, route planning and stops, notifications about driving in real time and also about vehicle faults, with a history, among others. It is possible to follow everything in audio alerts and by pairing with the new multimedia center. Along with the control tower, the RIO fleet management platform, maintenance contracts, service centers, digital service scheduling systems and one of the largest dealer networks in Brazil, the strategy is to always provide the greatest agility to have the vehicle in operation for as long as possible.
This is also the policy at home. Volkswagen Truck & Bus continues to invest to modernize its factory, with increasingly digital processes and meeting strict sustainability criteria. In this way, it guarantees the standard of excellence of all the vehicles that leave its production lines to operate in the more than 30 countries in which the brand is present.
