Shell Lubricants announced March 26 it is partnering with Bob Silwa, a pioneering truck designer, and owner of AirFlow Truck Company, to develop a hyper-fuel mileage Class 8 truck and trailer concept vehicle. This next-generation concept truck, nicknamed the StarShip, will feature a completely new design with the aim of breaking current fuel efficiency records for class 8 trucks after its debut in 2017. 

The concept truck centers on aerodynamics, with the aim being to develop a design that bucks trends in conventional truck design, says Sliwa. The companies plan to complete a cross-country fuel economy test with the truck and trailer in 2017.

"This is an exciting project for Shell that allows us to remain at the leading edge of technology development, energy efficiency and sustainability," said Selda Gunsel, vice-president of technology for Shell Global Solutions. "The transportation industry is dynamic and we intend to stay at the forefront of innovation - collaborating with companies like AirFlow to develop creative solutions that will benefit the industry for years to come."

The pursuit of significant fuel economy gains for class 8 trucks and trailers is a challenging process given the size and traditional construction of a tractor and trailer.  With new fuel economy regulations on the horizon and the need for continuing advances in fuel economy, Shell Lubricants recognizes that a holistic approach to making fuel economy gains is important.  This includes advances in engine and drive train technology, the use of low viscosity synthetic lubricants, aerodynamic designs, efficient driving methods and more.

"During our continuous on-highway testing of Shell Rotella engine oils and other lubricants, we always seek to understand how efficiencies can be gained across the whole truck," said Chris Guerrero, global brand manager for Shell Rotella.  "Aerodynamics plays a big role in achieving higher fuel economy and we look forward to working with Bob Sliwa and AirFlow Truck Company on the evolution of an all-new hyper fuel mileage tractor and trailer"

Initial designs call for the Starship tractor and trailer to join together into a single integrated unit as a way to address aerodynamic drag and loss of efficiency resulting from the gap between the tractor and trailer. The tractor and trailer will also have newly designed side skirts, hood, front end and custom interior. The tractor to trailer aerodynamics gap sealer and the trailer sideskirts will all retract below 35 mph or when coming up on obstructions such as a railway crossing, the companies said.

    Concept drawing of Starship tractor and trailer joined together as a single integrated unit

 

The Shell Lubricants team will provide technical consultation on engine and drivetrain components and recommendations for lubricant needs for use in the StarShip truck.  As the industry prepares for the next generation of diesel engine oils, currently designated as PC-11, the ability to work with AirFlow Truck Company gives Shell Lubricants the opportunity to align with an innovator in truck design and allows it to explore the limits of fuel efficiency.   Shell is focused on delivering premium products that help deliver improved fuel economy and durability through low viscosity engine oils such as Shell Rotella T5 10W-30 Synthetic Blend and Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 Full Synthetic engine oils.

"This technical alliance and the opportunity to work closely on the development of the next generation AirFlow truck is an exciting prospect," said Dan Arcy, OEM technical manager, Shell Lubricants. "The ability to test some of our newest PC-11 engine oils in a cutting-edge vehicle will provide us with some valuable information as we work to create lower viscosity engine oils without sacrificing performance."

Sliwa has been morphing trucks to his liking since the 1980s, when as an owner-operator he took his own cabover and reshaped the hood to reduce aero drag. As a former race car driver, Sliwa’s passion for pushing the fuel efficiency envelope on truck design dates back more than three decades when he built one of the very first highly aerodynamic and fuel efficient Class 8 trucks in the world in 1983. The truck included an aerodynamic hood and side fairings long before they became commonplace in the industry. That truck averaged 10.54 mpg, Sliwa said.