Blowing out the blaze
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The first commercial application of Volvo's supercharged and turbocharged MTE six-litre engine is expected to be as an option in the right-hand-drive FL614 fire-engine chassis.
The MTE engine has a belt. driven blower in addition to the conventional turbocharger. The blower operates from idle up to around 1,600rpm, giving 5531bft (750Nm) of torque at clutch take up. Over 1,600rpm an electronic clutch disengages the supercharger and the turbocharger takes over.
The supercharger is designed to overcome low-speed turbo lag as well as providing high torque output at clutch engagement. More importantly the MTE engine has very low emissions, especially at engine start up, with virtually no smoke emission.
The MTE produces 250hp (187kW) with 6271bft (850Nm) of torque; the top-rated seven litre produces 281hp (210kW) with 8851bft (1,200Nm) of torque. This makes high-power, weight sensitive applications like fire engines an obvious choice.
A number of preproduction MTE engines have been installed in delivery vehicles operating in Sweden but the UK fire engine application is believed to be the first production use of the super/turbocharged engine in Europe.