Amongst the launch of its new range of FH trucks, Volvo has also announced the most powerful engine on the market with its new 780hp Volvo FH16.

Also boasting 3800Nm and a 17 litre capacity under the hood, the heavy vehicle manufacturer says the engine in the FH16 is optimised to deliver greater fuel efficiency and durability.

The Euro 6 engine inside the truck comes with three power levels: 600hp, 700hp and the mighty 780hp. This will see torque levels of 3000Nm, 3400Nm and 3800Nm respectively.

“I’m proud to present our new engine. It really is a masterpiece and the result of world-class engineering,” says Volvo Trucks Product Manager, Marcos Weingaertner.

“The 780 version is the strongest engine in the industry. When climbing steep grades on a road with maximum loads, you don’t want to get stuck with too little torque and power.

“That is why we have focused all our efforts on making the D17 engine very powerful, reliable and responsive. For our customers, this translates into getting the job done faster with improved fuel efficiency.”

Image: Volvo Trucks/Supplied

The D17 engine houses a single turbocharger that boosts engine responsiveness. Volvo’s wave piston design aims to optimise combustion and reduce emissions, while the new injection system increases fuel economy.

Increased peak cylinder pressure enables high power output, while the engine brake power across the entire speed range has increased. This enables easier gearshifts and less wear and tear on the brake pads and disc brakes.

The engine in the FH16 is certified to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil in all power ratings, while the 700hp engine can run on 100 per cent biodesel.

The gearbox has been updated to handle up to 3800 Nm, and internal gearbox efficiency has been further improved on the 3000 Nm and 3400 Nm versions.

“I’m confident that customers and drivers will appreciate the higher engine brake power as well as the ability to run on HVO and biodiesel,” Marcos says.

“The D17 is a fabulous engine for a fabulous truck, and all our customers who rely on the Volvo FH16 in their daily work will now have an even more powerful tool to help them.”

Sales for the Volvo FH16 with the new 780hp engine will begin in mid-2024, while production is due to start in the second half of 2024.