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Scania V8 40 years – Driveability

31 March 2009 | Tags: Scania V8 40 years | Posted in: Events

During the development process, working on the performance of the new engine, the engineers coined the concept of ‘driveability’. Driveability characterises how an engine behaves, together with the rest of the powertrain, while driving. Peak power is generally of secondary importance, but the torque characteristics are critical in determining how well the engine performs.

Scania-Vabis’ engineers defined good driveability as meaning that a truck should:

• Require few gearchanges throughout its speed range.
• Have good tractive power at low engine speeds.
• Have sufficient surplus output throughout its engine speed range.

The new Scania 14.2-litre V8 engine had no genuine forerunner in the diesel engine world. It was designed for turbocharging from the start, and it was dimensioned to ensure that the engine delivered the goods over a long service life. An optional naturally aspirated 260 hp version was also available for buses, turning tourist coaches into true gliders.

The Scania LB140 models quickly won acclaim. They combined high output with a torque curve that flattered the use of low engine speeds – a pleasant and effective combination in a heavy vehicle. Many customers also liked the V8 emblem and the typical, powerful rumbling of the engine. All this, combined with exceptional durability and service life, quickly helped make the 14-litre V8 engine a legend.

The hp/tonne requirement

By the mid-1970s, road safety authorities realised that it was necessary for trucks to keep up reasonably well with the general flow of traffic, instead of causing major delays and frustration. The recommendation in Germany was 8 hp per tonne gross weight, i.e. slightly more than 300 hp for the 38 tonnes permitted. The 375 hp Scania V8 at that time boasted close to 10 hp/tonne, a figure that did not become common in European long-haulage until some 25 years later (40 tonnes, 400 hp, in 2000).

Meanwhile, the Scania V8 also provided sufficient output for higher gross weights. Today, with frequent use of long 60-tonne combinations in Scandinavia, outputs of around 600 hp are desirable in operations that require 10 hp/tonne performance.

14-litre success

The output of the 14-litre engine was boosted in several steps up to 530 hp and 2,300 Nm for the final version manufactured between 1995 and 2001. Power was thus up by more than 50 percent and torque had been boosted by 85 percent.

Year	1969	1995
Configuration	90-degree V8	90-degree V8
Emission level	-	Euro 2
Swept volume	14.2 litres	14.2 litres
Bore x stroke	127 x 140 mm	127 x 140 mm
Top output	350 hp	530 hp
Torque	1,245 Nm	2,300 Nm

Around 170,000 14-litre V8 engines were delivered between 1969 and 2001, cover­ing truck applications, industrial and marine engines, as well as some 900 coaches.

16-litre successor

The 16-litre V8 launched in 2000 was a completely new design, based on the modular cylinder concept that applies for all Scania engines, 9-, 12-, 13- and 16-litre. The 16-litre V8 has since graduated to Euro 4 and Euro 5. The top-output version now delivers 620 hp and 3,000 Nm of torque.

Year	2000	Currently
Configuration	90-degree V8	90-degree V8
Emission level	Euro 3	Euro 5
Swept volume	15.6 litres	15.6 litres
Bore x stroke	127 x 154 mm	127 x 154 mm
Top output	580 hp	620 hp
Torque	2,700 Nm	3,000 Nm

For many years, Scania has been the best-selling truck make above 500 hp. Scania’s V8 engine took Italy by storm in the 1970s and has been a big seller in that market ever since.

The V8 is compact and has a very favourable power-to-weight ratio. This has made it popular in applications like off-road construction dumpers and other plant equipment, as well as in vehicles and boats for defence applications.

More than a quarter of a million Scania V8 engines have been delivered since 1969. Out of these, at least one hundred thousand are estimated to remain in operation.

Statistics and technical data below.

For more information and images:

• Go to www.scania.com/media/v8/ for the special V8 media site.
• At http://imagebank.scania.com/ you can search for V8-related images by entering “V8” in the “Quick search” field.
• An anniversary site of special interest to Scania fans and enthusiasts will be opened in May
• Contact: Per-Erik Nordström, Product Affairs, tel. +46 8 55385577, email per-erik.nordstrom@scania.com

For more statistics and technical data, click here.

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