Volvo Trucks has announced its extensively redesigned VNX extra-heavy-duty model, which will serve a healthy and stable vocational truck market. It’s the latest in the builder’s “all-new” series of VN-based trucks and tractors that began with the VNL road tractor in 2024 and a VNR regional tractor a year ago. Volvo said it is spending $3 billion on developing the new series. That’s a lot of money. What are you getting for it?  

Built for heavy-haul and severe-duty work

VNX is designed for heavy-haul and severe on/off-road service including construction, logging and agriculture, and over-the-road movement of massive non-divisible loads. Volvo leads vocational truck markets in many overseas countries, and Volvo Construction Equipment is a major supplier of earth and material handling machines in North America, said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America.

"Growth in vocational is a natural next step for Volvo Trucks, right as we're seeing stable demand for trucks on construction sites, infrastructure projects and industrial builds across the country,” Voorhoeve said. “The all-new Volvo VNX puts us in a position to serve that market, with a truck built specifically for the toughest jobsites in America."

VNX handles up to 200,000 pounds

VNX shares a cab, powertrain, and chassis platform with the VN series but uses extra cab reinforcements and higher capacity frame, suspension, and driveline components. Its gross vehicle and gross combination weight ratings are up to 86,000 and 200,000 pounds, respectively. Features include standard frontal pedestrian detection to avoid runover incidents on streets and jobsites, and optional blind-spot monitoring of either side. And Volvo says it’s the only builder in North America to offer standard driver-side curtain airbags on a vocational truck.

A Remote Steer system that lets a driver maneuver the vehicle from outside the cab is also available, along with the previously introduced electric-assisted Dynamic Steering that reduces shock and eases control effort for drivers. Driver comfort was designed into the cab, with effective sound and vibration insulation and stoutness that prevents squeaks and rattles, the company said. The VNX cab uses one-third more ultra-high-strength steel than previous vocational products, and the interior is designed to withstand the wear and tear of jobsites, with easy-to-clean surfaces that hold up to dirt and dust from off-road operations.

D13 delivers up to 540 horsepower

VNX runs on the established D13 diesel, now rated up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 pound-feet of torque, with an engine brake delivering up to 630 braking horsepower, the company said. The engine is certified to EPA 2027 emissions standards in all 50 states. Volvo’s severe-duty I-Shift automated transmissions are standard with Allison 4000 and 4500 series full automatics optional.

Connectivity is provided by a 4G telematics gateway, powering remote diagnostics that continually monitor the truck and flag potential issues before they put a truck out of service, Volvo said. Remote Programming delivers software and parameter updates over-the-air so trucks stay on the job instead of sitting in the shop. Volvo Connect gives managers real-time reports on fuel efficiency, location, and safety. 

Three Volvo VNX configurations

Configurations include a VNX 300 daycab and VNX 440 with a 42-inch sleeper, both available as a tractor or a straight truck; and there's also a VNX 640 tractor with a 62-inch midroof sleeper. All models are available with set-forward or setback steer axles. Volvo dealers have just begun taking orders for the new VNX, and production is scheduled to begin in mid-2027.