With the launch of I-Shift in 2001, Volvo Trucks confirmed its belief in a clutch-based transmission system as a system for automatic shifting. Today, all Volvo FH, FH16, FM and FMX trucks are equipped with I-Shift as standard. As an automated system, I-Shift contributes to fuel savings as well as improved safety and driving behavior in terms of less noise, vibration and physical strain on the driver.

"I-Shift was and still is a major driving force. Today we sell I-Shift all over the world. In North America, sales of I-Shift-equipped trucks have risen from single-digit figures in 2007 to more than 90% of all Volvo trucks today. This impressive development reflects both the increased efficiency and the attractiveness for the driver," explains Pär Bergstrand, Heavy Duty Transmission Manager at Volvo Trucks.

I-Shift was developed by Volvo and is synchronized with the rest of the truck, as the transmission uses information from both the engine and the vehicle to work together for different applications and truck combinations. "This synchronization is what sets I-Shift apart and makes this function so versatile. I-Shift is the positive result of many years of hard work by our experienced engineers, feedback from customers during off-road testing for the development process and Volvo Trucks' access to technological advances across the Volvo Group," says Pär Bergstrand.

Over time, Volvo Trucks has developed numerous features - some examples:

I-Shift with dual clutch

When Volvo Trucks introduced the dual-clutch I-Shift technology in 2014, it was a dual-clutch system for the heavy-duty model range, inspired by the transmissions in racing cars, which offered an instant and immediate feeling of seamless power transmission when shifting gears.

I-Shift with creeper gears

Another significant step was taken in 2016, where the focus was placed on heavy-duty tasks that require additional torque and starting ability. With I-Shift with creeper gears, a truck carrying a gross combination weight of up to 325 tons can start from a standstill on a flat road. The gear ratio allows the truck to travel at speeds of up to 0.5 km/h, which is advantageous for precision maneuvers, for example on construction sites, road construction or timber transport.

I-See uses cloud-based map data

I-See is a separate system that can be added to I-Shift and is designed to analyze route topography and use this information to keep the truck in the most fuel-efficient gear. I-See was updated in 2017 and helps the truck maintain a constant average speed, analyzing cloud-based map data on the topography of the road and informing I-Shift of the optimal time to shift gears to save energy and therefore fuel.

I-Shift with change of direction function

With the launch of Volvo Trucks' new heavy-duty model range in 2020, another innovative function was introduced: I-Shift with change of direction. This new feature allows the driver to change the direction of travel via the I-Shift selector lever without having to press the brake pedal or take their foot off the gas pedal. This feature is particularly useful for construction, forestry and mining operations where it is more productive to perform repetitive forward and reverse maneuvers at slower speeds.

"I-Shift will be further enhanced for diesel-powered trucks and will also play an important role in our journey towards electromobility. As an advanced technology within automation, I-Shift offers unique opportunities to contribute to Volvo's fully autonomous transportation solutions of the future," concludes Pär Bergstrand.