Volvo’s Hybrid Truck ‘Mean Green’ Sets A New World Speed Record [video]

Volvo’s hybrid truck, ‘Mean Green’, established new world speed records on April 27th at Wendover Airfield in Utah, USA.

Driven by Boije Ovebrink of the Swedish Viking Speed Records Team, two new world speed records were achieved. 236.577 km/h (147.002 mph) in the flying kilometre and 153.252 km/h (95.245 mph) in the standing kilometre.

“We are very pleased with ‘Mean Green’s performance, especially at such a high altitude,” said Boije Ovebrink, ‘Mean Green’s driver and owner. “We knew Wendover would present challenges because it’s more than 4,200 feet (1,280 metres) above sea level.”

Though ‘Mean Green’s modified aerodynamic body design bears little resemblance to a freight-carrying tractor unit, the truck is comprised almost entirely of production components from the Volvo vehicle family, including a Volvo VN cab and frame. Power comes from a highly tuned Volvo D16 diesel engine that packs 2,100 hp (out of which 200 hp and 1,200 NM of torque comes from the electric motor) and 6,780 Nm of torque.