New Delivery - Volkswagen’s new global platform for light trucks

New Delivery family: custom-made for modernity

 

• Trucks developed and produced in Latin America
• International standards for the most demanding markets
• Volkswagen reaches the competitive 3.5 ton segment
• New Delivery offers models of up to 13 tons in different versions

A new generation in urban freight distribution

The new Delivery family arrives to innovate freight distribution in the light trucks segment. Developed and assembled in Latin America, all models comply with international standards for the most demanding markets. Composed by models from 3.5 to 13 tons, the novelty is ready to take over the world: it was born from the successful formula used in the first Delivery line coupled with the experience of the owners of the over 100 thousand units already assembled. And it was listening to its customers that Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus now launches a state-of-the-art product series to meet today’s customer demands.

With the current launch, which was the result of over R$ 1 billion investment, Volkswagen arrives at the challenging 3.5 ton market with a model called Express. The product combines the features of a heavy truck, such as internal space and robustness, in a small vehicle with a modern design. The 4 ton Delivery is another excellent option among the entry models of the new family, as it can be financed by Finame (Brazilian Special Industrial Financing Agency).

The new 6 ton Delivery arrives, along with the 9 and 11 ton models, with enough features to take on the difficult mission of excelling the current best-selling models – which are a strong success in the national market. And the new 13.180, in 6X2 version featuring a third axle, is the highest load capacity in the new portfolio.

The new models arrive in three versions: City, an entry version); Trend, a custom-made version for day to day use in different applications; and Prime, which brings exclusive visual and comfort features.

In its Brazilian début, the new Delivery family will offer special sales conditions, in addition to the possibilities of operational leasing and consortium. The expectation is that after the launch, national sales will grow due to the arrival in the 3.5 ton segment.

Global robustness and uniqueness

The new Delivery generation was designed and developed to become a new benchmark in customer satisfaction, combined with remarkable Volkswagen values: tailor-made solutions, robustness, reliability and attractive design. Thus, Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles Design team created a new logic design language focused on functionality and unique aesthetics.

The clean design lines and the high focus on details, such as in passenger car designs, are remarkable innovative features in the segment. At the same time, the products represent the strength, robustness and high quality of Volkswagen products. The exterior is structured on a robust base with bumper, headlights and the body displaying strong design features and a proud brand image.

The interior roominess is another benchmark, based on latest vehicle standards and dimensions. To ensure this, a wide requirement matrix was continuously checked on design models to improve ergonomics for driver and passengers comfort. Therefore, all interior parts and cabin dimensions were designed to find the best solutions. As a result, the new Delivery offers a cabin space benchmark within the 3.5t – 13t segment.

Chassis, engine and driver ergonomics were developed to reach the best compromise for product and customer needs, resulting in a brand new vehicle, ready for the present and the future. Aerodynamics and performance have a strong presence in this project: Thanks to the team work performed by the Digital Design and Engineering Departments, it was possible to conceive a new family full of innovations all around.

Other functional elements such as air deflectors are naturally integrated with visual features from the door to the front grill and headlights.

The DNA of the new Delivery line carries features of the Constellation family: a strong identity, which can be instantly recognized on the road or in the city.

A new world when you enter the cabin

With the largest internal space in the segment, the new Delivery cabin combines the most innovative features regarding ergonomics, comfort, internal roominess and robustness. Not by chance, its development started from the inside out: Its initial premises were driving position, steering wheel grip, seat height adjustment, instrument dashboard, storage space and enough room to quickly pass from driver to passenger seat.

Once inside, the driver has an entirely new experience when reaching the cockpit. The seats were conceived using different dimensions, considering occupants with different heights and physiques, so driving could be comfortable for everyone.

The seats are made with high-resistance, water-repellent and easy-to-clean fabrics. They are dark-coloured and ideal for daily use. Even the pedals position and ergonomics were designed to reduce driver’s efforts.

The cabin has a new tilting system easily actuated by a lever located in its interior. It provides more safety and comfort during maintenance.

Everything at hand

The instrument dashboard emphasizes the modular concept, which allows the operator to easily organize devices such as radio, tachograph and specific equipment for each operation. Like with the cold box body temperature, for instance, which must be monitored while the driver is paying attention to the road. Also, the New Delivery has as a standard feature wiring harnesses prepared for the installation of radio, speakers and air climatizer installation without compromising its original characteristics.

A series of storage spaces makes it easier for the driver to organize things, including holders that can fit up to up to two-litre bottles. The folding backrest of the center seat serves as a table that assists drivers to take notes or to have quick meals in-between delivery activities.
The air conditioning system complies with the most demanding technical requirements. Thanks to the outstanding performance of the unit, it presents high and fast cabin-cooling capacity and ventilation with intense airflow. In addition to comfort, the system allows the windshield to be quickly defogged, which is a safety requirement.

Everything on sight

On the dashboard, browsing through the menu in the instrument cluster, the driver can follow either vehicle, travel or engine information. Besides that, he/she can also set comfort functions, such as windshield wiper speed, power door locks and alert sound level. Another possibility is to check the “diagnosis” menu. The econometer function is a new feature: it indicates whether the driving behaviour is saving fuel.

The multifunctional headlight was completely redesigned following the vehicle’s modern lines, combining high and low beam, frontal direction indicator and frontal position light. The polycarbonate lens offer maximum protection against crashes and stones. The indicator lamps have LED technology, which indicates and outlines side driving, thus providing better illumination and longer service life.

Urban drivability

Drivability and passenger car comfort combined with truck robustness: that is the new Delivery’s secret, tailor-made for urban operation. As soon as the driver enters the truck, he/she can already feel that the model is custom-made - the steering wheel presents angular and depth adjustments as well as smaller diameter. The steering adjustment makes operation easier and provides passenger car ergonomics.

The maneuverability also stands out as the best of the market for this segment, thanks to the wider steering angle and better maneuvering in narrow roads.

More savings, more power

The clients’ demands also included the powertrain of the new family, which improved calibrations enhancing diesel and AdBlue economy, coupled with superior performance. The economic driving mode on the dashboard is another novelty presented by the Delivery family: The driver can follow the indications of the ideal moments to shift gears, which protects components against wear while optimizing fuel consumption.

Powertrain design was modernized reducing weight by at least 10%. This yields more load capacity. With this and other improvements in suspension, brakes and shafts, the new models can carry at least 400kg more than its predecessors.

The Delivery Express and the 4.150, the only ones in the line featuring EGR technology, are the supreme reference regarding the distinctive features offered by the line: They present the best power and torque in their segments.

Equipped with the 2.8 litre Cummins ISF engine, the vehicles reach 150hp and maximum torque of 360 Nm in a broad range of engine rpms to ensure quick recoveries, agility and lower fuel consumption in urban deliveries.

The Delivery 6.160 is also equipped with a 2.8l Cummins ISF engine, but this time with SCR after-treatment solution, which is already a traditional feature in its segment. Its power reaches 160hp and maximum torque of 430 Nm.

The 9, 11 and 13 ton vehicles are equipped with the 3.8 litre Cummins ISF and SCR technology, with ideal robustness for each application. All three register maximum torque of 600 Nm, with power ranging from 165 to 175 hp.

The reduction in engine weight is mainly due to the replacement of cast iron by aluminium on the flywheel carcass, but also by the smaller dimension of the component, which interacts more efficiently with the clutch.

In this item, there are even more innovations: The larger clutch disc in the 9 to 13-ton models grants less wear and, consequently, longer durability. A standout on its own, the new series of turbo chargers allows reaching maximum torque in lower rotations, which leads to an increase of the peak torque range delivered by the engine.

Strength to overcome any challenge

The new Delivery debuts four entirely new manual transmission versions, in addition to the automated option. Custom-developed by Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus and Eaton’s Engineering Departments for each type of application, the gearboxes now present six speeds and other features resulting in more comfortable shifting, as well as reduced weight. Its configuration allows better scaling, more fuel savings and more comfort for the driver.

Assembled with 100%-aluminium carcasses, they are also lighter than the previous cast iron ones, which provides more load capacity and benefits productivity. The weight of the transmission set can be up to 50% lighter in the versions from 3.5 to 6 tons, in comparison with the current Delivery 5.150.

This component also stands out in maintenance. It brings a modular design to facilitate replacing specific parts and generating even more savings to fleet customers. Another advantage is its long service life. Three years of development were required to reach a tailored solution for each application.

The new Delivery Express and the 4.150 are equipped with an ESO-4106 gearbox, while the 6 ton features an ESO-4206 model. The new 9 to 11-ton vehicles feature the ESO-6106 gearbox, and the 13.180 comes with the ESO-6206 gearbox. There will also be the option of automated transmission for 9, 11 and 13 ton vehicles based on the manual version, which will provide more comfort to the driver. The item is under final development.

Manufactured in Brazil, the new transmissions combine Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus’ knowhow in severe applications for emerging countries with Eaton’s expertise, which has its light vehicles global excellence center in the country.

Custom-made for distribution efficiency

The new Delivery family arrives to offer the best total cost of ownership (TCO) in the segment. The trucks were “built on the scale", aiming at maximum optimization of their load capacity, in addition to providing more fuel savings and less wear in components.

The chassis of the new Delivery family combines robustness and lightness: with new materials, it brings together mass reduction and load capacity increase. For example, this is the first time the brand uses aluminum cross members, present in the Delivery Express. The front and rear axles also present higher load capacity.

The disposition of the diesel and AdBlue tanks brings a more compact set, granting more space in the chassis and reducing weight and volume.

With a defined hole pattern, the highlight of the chassis is its flexibility. It maintains the originality, but also makes body installation easier and faster.

The independent front suspension, present on 3.5 to 6-ton models, increases comfort onboard. The suspension for 9 and 11 tons also stands out. It is built with parabolic springs, which are fine-tuned to deliver comfort and robustness.

The brake system brings discs for 3.5 to 6-ton models and drum for 9 to 13 ton models. These are custom-made solutions for the stop-and-go in urban centers, which also features ABS and EBD as series items.

The wheels were optimized to gain load capacity while maintaining the same technical performance characteristics.

High technology in materials

The production of the new Delivery uses the most innovative materials, aligned with the global evolution in the segment of raw materials, bringing weight savings and sustainability to the automotive industry, combining high-resistance and lower-thickness steels in addition to novel engineered plastics. The result is a highly sustainable model: With curb weight reductions of around 10% in comparison to its predecessor, which then improves fuel consumption.

The vehicle also uses eco-friendly materials, which is the case of the organic fiber coatings presenting jute in their composition. In addition, 90% of its composition is recyclable due to the use of steel and polypropylene plastic parts.

Moreover, it has more than enough technology: the outer sun visor of the new Delivery family uses state-of-art Cycoloy plastics in Brazil for the first time. The material is light and highly resistant to weather variations. The new sun visor weighs 3.1 kilos, less than half the 7.2 kilos in the previous model.

The pedals also contribute in reducing the cabin weight. By using engineering plastics instead of steels, they gain resistance while reducing the weight by 30%.
The structure of the cabin is another highlight, because it is reinforced with high-resistance steels that make it safer and more resistant, complying with the strictest European safety requirements (standard ECE R29).

Easy maintenance
All wear components of the vehicle have optimized service life: From the beginning of the project, each part was developed focusing on TCO, aiming at the vehicles’ best up time. The result are vehicles with more performance and durability, lower maintenance cost, longer intervals between scheduled maintenances and lower number of truck stops.

Qualified after-sales
The effort also required many resources for the dealer network. In addition to on-site training, an exclusively dedicated online platform translated into Portuguese and Spanish is available.
The Training Center currently located in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, offers complete structure, with mock-ups and parts for tests. The aim is to ensure complete service to customers at the brand’s dealers.

Check out the features of the New Delivery – both standard and optional:
•Air conditioning
•Air plug for cabin cleaning
•Power window operation
•Rear mirrors with electric adjustment
•Power door locks
•Preparation for roof air conditioning unit
•Radio and Speakers can be purchased from Parts & Accessories Department
•Fog lights
•Entry step protection cover
•PTO preparation
•Cruise Control
•Driver seat belt sound alarm

 

 

 

Delivery Express

Tailor-made for urban distribution combining the agility of cars in quick maneuvers with the robustness of trucks. It can be driven with a non-professional driver license, and circulates in places where truck traffic is restricted, which is a characteristic of the large urban centers. The single tires on its rear axle are also a benefit, ensuring road tolls at the same price charged for cars. It features a 2.8 litre Cummins ISF engine with EGR after-treatment technology, which does not require AdBlue. It reaches 150hp and a maximum torque of 360 Nm in a broad range of rotations to ensure fast recoveries and agility in urban distribution, with the best power and torque in the segment. Specifically for this model, a set of driver and both passenger air bags were fully developed by the Resende Engineering team. The passenger air bag is the largest in Brazil, with 160l, and coupled with pre-tensioned safety belts it is sure to offer best in class safety protection.

Delivery 4.150

Another début of a Volkswagen truck, the model enters a segment not previously explored by the automaker already with the possibility of financing by Finame. Agile in recoveries and comfortable for the “stop-and-go” of cities, the New Delivery 4.150 features a 2.8 litre Cummins ISF engine and 150hp, with EGR after-treatment technology which does not require AdBlue. The manual transmission ESO-4106 is combined with the powertrain set, also providing the best power and torque in the segment.

Delivery 6.160

One of the models arriving with the mission of keeping Volkswagen at the top of the ranking of best-selling trucks in Brazil presents nothing short of a great set of features. With the best maneuverability of the segment, the model features a large and comfortable cabin, ESO-4206 six-gear gearbox and 2.8l Cummins ISF engine with SCR solution for after treatment, 160hp and maximum torque of 430 Nm. With important operational advantages over competition, it delivers full agility for urban distribution requiring higher load capacity.

Delivery 9.170

Each component of the new Delivery 9.170 was developed with state-of-art materials and the result is a highly sustainable model, with weight reduction by 10% when compared to its predecessor and, consequently, culminating in more fuel savings, less emissions and higher load capacity. It features 3.8 litre Cummins ISF engine and SCR technology, with ideal robustness for each application, maximum torque of 600Nm and 165 hp. It also features six-gear ESO-6106 manual transmission. The model will also offer automated transmission.

Delivery 11.180

Indicated for urban distribution with agility, speed in short and medium-distance road services, the new Delivery 11.180 combines reliability, robustness and the best performance in the segment. It features a 3.8 litre Cummins ISF engine and SCR technology, with maximum torque of 600 Nm and 175hp, with manual transmission ESO-6106. The model will also feature automated transmission.

Delivery 13.180

First model of the new family featuring third axle, this is the truck with the highest load capacity in the new Delivery family. With custom-made robustness and flexibility, it serves several applications, designed in compliance with the Urban Delivery Vehicles (VUC in Portuguese) city circulation laws where there is traffic restriction. It features a 3.8 litre Cummins ISF engine and SCR technology, with maximum torque of 600 Nm and 175hp and with manual transmission ESO-6206. The model will also offer automated transmission.

At the front row of internationalization

The new Delivery family was designed, developed and tested in Latin America, in compliance with global certification and quality standards, which ensures it can be exported to several destinations, including the over 30 countries that are already served by the custom-made robustness of Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus.

From next year on, Brazil’s neighbouring countries will start selling the new Delivery family with regional launch events. South American countries will be the first to receive the novelty and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus will thus enter into the most representative market segment in the region: vehicles under 5 ton.

Also within the internationalization strategy, the new products line will have engine options in compliance with Euro III and Euro V emission standards, depending on the laws and requirements for each market.

Over 4 million test kilometres

Special test surfaces, urban traffic and roads. Before being launched, the new Delivery family was tested in all types of scenarios in Brazil and all Latin America, adding up to over 4 million kilometres – the largest test ever performed for the launch of a light truck line. New models were submitted to tests in the most severe environments and places: From the test tracks in the Resende plant to the Andes, United States and Europe.

Special sensors and instruments were installed all over the vehicle, which was submitted to the most adverse conditions of traffic to test the durability and robustness of all components such as the frame, brackets, cross members, fuel tank, spare tire bracket, among others.

The new cabin, which promotes a revolution in terms of internal roominess and comfort, was submitted to several tests – among which, the cab shake, where the cabin is submitted to rough movement in lab tests, in addition to checking the safety of the passengers in several types of crash tests.

And with the complete vehicle, it was also submitted to thermal aging tests in climatic chamber, where sudden temperature and humidity increases and decreases cycles were applied to measure the durability of internal and external finishing components.

Defrost and defog tests were performed at low temperatures with the aim of testing the capacity of the air conditioning and ventilation systems at extreme conditions, in which safety could be compromised by low visibility.

The new Delivery family was also tested in the Andes: In Chile, the vehicles were submitted to traffic conditions at -10°C temperatures, in altitudes of up to 4500m above sea level, condition necessary to test the engine’s behavior when submitted to the most adverse conditions.

Manufacture 4.0 – a new production concept

The new Delivery is also a synonym of technological leap in its manufacture process. Thirty-eight new robots grant a 60% automation level for the cabin framing, being responsible for 2,500 weld points, in addition to 170 measurement points. This means over 120 new pieces of equipment, including large ones, for assembly at the final line. It is the Manufacture 4.0 concept gaining strength and ground at the Resende plant.

The automatic vehicle recognition technology is predominant. Each new cabin comes with a chip so the robots can identify its model and therefore welding points. At the final line, the nutrunners and the assembly support equipment also virtually receive the same information so the torque and other settings are exact for the model and provide traceability so the entire process will be safer.

Smart factory

To support this technological advance, the automaker extended its built area in almost 5,000 square meters. The cabin framing building, where the new robots are, was extended by 30% and incorporates sustainability concepts in its construction, adopting prismatic domes at its roof – a type of modern skylight – to favour natural illumination, which replaces the equivalent to 114 400 watts lamps, thus reducing power consumption.

Other large investments were made at the final assembly building, with the independent suspension alignment equipment and a robot to attach windshields and rear windshields, following a global trend in automotive industry. The airbag also deserves attention, with space controlled due to the necessary safety requirements.

Automation in Resende

The investment in modernization corresponds to about R$ 190 million, or 20% of the total amount applied in the project. Before that, the plant had 12 robots and this structure was quadrupled. Now, it has 50 pieces of equipment. It is state-of-art technology matched with the most modern in European production lines.

Innovation is also present all over the plant’s operations. There are robots moving between two points in the line, working on different areas. In another function, the equipment is responsible for applying structural glue.

One hundred percent of the cabins are measured at the assembly line to ensure welding patterns and the over 170 points evaluated by the robots themselves, which send the information to the plant's metrology lab in real time.

The entire production planning was made to grant flexibility and integration, resulting in the efficient management of this smart factory.

Training on the job
For the perfect synchronicity in the project of this new Delivery, Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus invested on the training of its employees, partners and sales force. The plant devoted a specific area to passing on that knowledge. It is called Pilot Plant, aimed at simulating and adjusting the entire assembly process before the new vehicles arrive at the final production line.

In this area, the vehicles were especially prepared to be assembled until the entire process was 100% tuned. Months before starting its production, the new Delivery was presented to operators to ensure the efficiency of manufacture. This logic was used for the entire chain: quality inspectors, who certify the vehicles before they are released to the client, and the technical assistance engineering team, which aid the market with doubts during operation.

All this work required a lot of preparation, from the first virtual model, with about 150 people qualified over more than 300 hours to give trainings to all participants of the Modular Consortium.