TAMPA BAY — Volvo Trucks’ XE13 Power Train package has been named the trucking technical achievement of the year for 2011 by the Truck Writers of North America(TWNA).

The announcement came at the 2012 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Conference in Tampa Bay this week. Volvo Truck North America Marketing Manager Ed Saxman picked up the coveted trophy.

Every year for the past 21, TWNA members have selected a single innovation that stands out from the rest. To win, the product or innovation must have wide applicability to the trucking industry and offer significant benefits to end users.

A committee of journalists accepts nominations, debates the merits and cons of each nominated innovation, and selects one winner.
This year’s winner, the Volvo XE 13 package, is predicated on what Volvo calls “downspeeding.” (The XE stands for exceptional efficiency.)

The XE13 package consistently operates between 1,050 and 1,500 rpm, with up to 70 percent of operation in the most efficient range of 1,100 to 1,200 rpm. You gain about a 1.5 percent fuel-efficiency improvement for every 100 rpm of downspeeding.

For more on the XE13, check out our write-up in our Product Watch.

Runners-up for the 2011 Award were:

The Bendix EverSure Spring Brake

The Fontaine Volvo/Fifth Wheel System

The Goodyear Duraseal Wide-based single tire

Rig Dig Truck History Reports

Spectra’s Hub Alert system.

Today’s Trucking Editor Peter Carter is among the TWNA members on the award-selection committee.