Volkswagen Constellation

The Constellation is the flagship truck from Volkswagen's Truck and Bus line covering the 33-57 tonne GCM segment.

The truck was designed in VWs Wolfsburg Design Studio at VW Headquarters but engineered by VW Truck & Bus, in Brazil, South Africa and mainland Europe on a rigorous 7 million kilometre test phase.

The cab is available in daycab configuration & sleeper cab configuration.

It is available in the following engine/payload configurations 13.180, 15.180 with Convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on MWM/International Electronic engines & 17.250, 24.250 and 19.320 with Convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on, Convert|320|hp|kW|0|abbr=on Cummins diesel engines and a VW engineered Convert|370|hp|kW|0|abbr=on VW NGD 370 diesel engine.

In 2006 Renato Martins won the Brazilian Fórmula Truck Championship in the Constellation's first season racing.

VW NGD 370 Engine Press Release

The VW NGD 370 engine presents pioneering characteristics to the heavy trucks sector. The high “flat” torque at low rotation is improved by a variable geometry turbo-compressor: the Multi Turbo System - MTS. The cylinder head with four valves by cylinder, the 9,354 cc (9.3 liters), Convert|367|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 2000 rpm, and the Dual Power Brake – DPB – are additional characteristics.

The new motor running counts on an exclusive injection system, the Hydraulic Electronic Unit Injector - HEUI – at high pressure, with electro-hydraulic digital injectors and extended durability, developed by the partner company Siemens/VDO. This new motor running is lighter than the motor running of its direct competitors, and presents the advantage of removable wet lining that guarantee easy maintenance and lower costs.

The Multi Turbo System turbine – MTS – with variable geometry system is electronically controlled thus guaranteeing faster responses, better performance and retaking, in addition to better thermal efficiency. This component also operates as engine brake in the exhaust system. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation system – EGR – is a re-circulator and re-cooler coupled with the block that reutilizes part of the exhaustion emissions which get back to the camera, producing combustion at lower temperatures with less discharge rates.

The new engine brake system of the Dual Power Brake cylinder head – DPB – activates the engine’s cylinder head that is electronically integrated into the turbine. Its advantages are: increasing the operational average speed, the brake force, safety, retaking with fuel reduction, and speed on downward slopes. Presenting less gear shifts, low maintenance costs, and improved brakes and tires service life.

pecifications

Future of Constellation

In 2007 Volkswagen Truck and Bus will build the first right hand drive Constellations in South Africa early in 2007.

"For more of the truck and bus range please see Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles".

External links

* [http://www.vwtrucksandbuses.com/en/vehicles_constellation.aspx Volkswagen Constellation International portal] (in English)
* [http://www.vwcommercial.co.za/models/constellation/ Volkswagen Constellation South Africa portal] (in English)
* [http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/Tw2007/Volkswagen/index.htm South African Constellation Specifications] (in English)
* [http://www.vwtbpress.com.br/noticia.asp?n=381 Constellation 370 Full Press Release] (in English)