There are fast racing semi trucks, and then there are FIA world speed record setting semi trucks. Volvo Trucks set out to beat their own world speed record in a truck called the “Iron Knight”. This specially built truck takes the 13-liter Volvo D13 turbo-diesel engine to new heights with a power rating of 2,400 HP and 4,425 lb-ft of torque. All this power goes to the ground via a production version of Volvo’s I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission. Volvo Trucks set out to do this to showcase the capabilities of its engine and transmission.
The FIA (Federation Internationale De L’Automobile) oversaw this record attempt and set very specific requirement. The truck had to make two runs on a 1 kilometer runway (0.62 miles) in opposite directions within a 1-hour time window. The truck is timed on both runs and the time to beat was 21.596 seconds.
The semi truck accomplished the feat, although by a narrow margin. The new record stands at 21.290 seconds over a distance of 1 kilometer. The Iron Knight reached a top speed of 171.49 MPH.
The truck passed the 0.5 kilometer mark (roughly 1/3 mile) in 13.710 seconds. This semi can potentially run low 13s in a quarter mile.
Are there really no trucks that are faster than the Iron Knight? No, according to the rules set by the FIA organization.
Are there other trucks that can potentially brake this record? Yes. Jet-powered “Shockwave” semi truck is one machine that comes to mind. That monstrous beast packs over 36,000 HP of thrust from its three jet engines. Let the races begin!
Check out the Volvo Trucks video documenting the attempt and the final record.
