Q: Congratulations on your team’s work on the new VNR.

A: “Thanks, we had a lot of momentum behind us coming off the VNL design and were really excited about working on the VNR for the local and regional haul market. One of the great things about this truck is the stance, it has this “lean-forward” look to it. Ready to go, ready to do the job.”

Q: Visibility is crucial for the environments that the VNR operates in daily. How does the vehicle’s design contribute to this important safety factor?

A: “We really wanted to make sure that the visibility was improved on this product. As we redesigned the shape of the front for aerodynamics, we also considered the sight lines. By “shrink-wrapping” the surfaces across the hood and the rest of the vehicle, we’ve reduced the space in front of the truck that driver can’t see. The cab is 200 mm more forward than the legacy model and when combined with the slope of the front you don’t even see the hood when you are sitting inside the VNR.”

Q: That sleeker, wedge-shaped front offered opportunities to merge practical needs with design.

A: “The intake at the top of the hood is visually distinctive but serves a very important purpose. It allows air to flow in over the engine bay, providing an important assist in cooling. Together with air from the grille and bumper vents, the constant flow pushes heat away from the engine and out through the cowl exhaust vents. These elements are visually striking while crucial for the vehicle’s performance.”

Q: Talk about the superior visibility this VNR offers.

A: “The new VNR is perfect for tough cornering situations, not just because of the maneuverability but it’s improved sightline. This cab has 17% more forward visibility thanks to the hood slope and new position of the A-pillar.”

Q: What about fuel efficiency?

A: “This will be up to 7.5% more fuel efficient than our legacy VNR model. 40% of that improvement comes from powertrain enhancements and the rest is achieved from the new aerodynamic shape. And that 7.5% improvement is available even in our day cab model, which we believe is going to make it very popular with our customers.”

Q: This truck looks as good as it performs, tell us about the trim levels available for the new VNR.

A: “The all-new VNR comes in two unique trim levels making it perfect for those customers that require a real blend of design and function.”

“Our Core trim level is for fleets that may be running more in-town applications or routes where the cab could see greater wear and tear. The chassis fairings are a mold-in color, along with the mirror covers, therefore there is never any repainting of these parts. If a mold-in color part does ever have to be replaced, it’s a simple switch out. And the Core exterior offers a chrome metal bumper.”

“We also offer the Edge trim level, with a greater selection of matching painted accents, for customers that want a more sophisticated look for their fleet.”

Q: The VNR is available in two trim levels than have quickly become very popular, core and edge. When choosing the design elements for these levels how do you balance between form and function to meet the needs of a truck that’s constantly in urban or regional haul applications?

A: “Material selection is key. We made sure to shrink-wrap as much of the front end around the functional areas of the truck while utilizing an aero steel bumper. As these vehicles will mainly operate in congested areas, we made sure that many of the components that are susceptible to damage can be easily replaced or repaired in a timely fashion. Mold-in-color bumper endcaps and chassis fairing parts allow easy replacement but also handle more abuse than a typical painted part.”

“On the other hand, the painted and bright version allows customers to embrace the aero-influenced surfacing that surround important features such as our fog/cornering lights, forward and side safety sensors.”

Q: Are there particular elements of the VNR’s two trim levels that you are particularly proud of?

A: “Both trim levels carry the unique laser-etched pattern on the front grille, which will be a second or third read for customers. Even when offered in Core trim, this design element emphasizes the level of detail and precision that goes into all our products.”

“Sitting in an all-new VNR with Edge trim, one can’t help but appreciate the incorporation of the soft touch dash topper and arm rest. The bright satin metallic finish creates a modern yet sophisticated accent to the driving environment.”

Q: The urban biome was an important part of the initial design concept for the trim levels. Where can we see the urban biome’s influence in the look of the VNR?

A: “ The driving (or working) environment is heavily influenced by the urban biome. It reflects the technical lighting, textures and patterns that are found in a regional or city-like surrounding. Clearance is not only critical around the vehicle but also inside the cab, so we made sure the engine tunnel, tray and floor mat inserts all follow the cab forward position for better foot sweep. Forward visibility shares priority with aerodynamics, and this is evident from the driver’s seat. In addition, the Camera Monitor System takes this to the next level.”