In 2012, Volvo unleashed a 2,100-hp “Mean Green” commercial truck that broke world speed records in the Flying Kilometer and Standing Kilometer runs. Now, Volvo is back with an even more powerful truck that continues the record-breaking tradition. Volvo Trucks’ Iron Knight has officially won the title of the world’s fastest truck, beating the existing speed records in both the 500 and 1,000 metre standing start categories on a test track in Sweden
Thanks to its 13-liter mid-mounted D13 engine that generates 2,400-horsepower and 4,425 pound feet of torque, The Iron Knight set new speed records for 500- and 1,000-meter runs. The custom-built semi achieved a time of 13.710 seconds over 500 meters with an average speed of 81.58 mph and completed the 1,000-meter run in 21.290 seconds at an average of 105 mph. The massive Iron Knight also managed to reach a top speed of 171 mph.
The man piloting the truck to its record-breaking speed was Boije Ovebrink, a truck racing veteran who has beaten five speed records. He also drove the “Mean Green” a few years ago when it broke its records. The new record runs are currently being reviewed by the FIA international motorsport association. The Iron Knight has been Volvo’s opportunity to prove once again its supremacy in the domain of heavy duty trucks.
