New Volvo VNX Debuts With 540 HP and Remote Steer
Volvo Trucks has unveiled a ground-up redesign of the VNX for North American construction, logging, agriculture and heavy-haul work, with three cab configurations, up to 540 horsepower and a new Remote Steer feature.
The all-new VNX goes on sale October 26, 2026, according to Volvo Trucks North America. Pricing and the first customer-delivery date have not been announced. The truck is the third member of Volvo’s renewed North American range, following the VNL in 2024 and VNR in 2025, and it shares their underlying platform.
This is a commercial vehicle built for specialized work rather than a conventional pickup. Volvo lists applications including dump, mixer and roll-off bodies, municipal plows, logging, equipment transport and long-distance heavy haul. Exact capacities depend on configuration and application approval.
Three VNX cabs cover jobsites and highway hauling
The lineup starts with the VNX 300 daycab and extends to two mid-roof sleepers. Volvo will offer axle-forward and axle-back layouts, plus tractor and straight-truck configurations depending on the cab.
| Model | Cab | Primary role |
|---|---|---|
| VNX 300 | Daycab | Local heavy haul, dump, mixer, roll-off, agriculture and waste |
| VNX 440 | 42-inch mid-roof sleeper | Logging, equipment delivery and regional hauling |
| VNX 640 | 62-inch mid-roof sleeper | Long-distance heavy-haul work |
Volvo’s public specification page lists 4×4, 6×2, 6×4, 6×6, 8×2, 8×4 and 8×6 axle arrangements across truck applications. The straight-truck specification allows gross combination weight of up to 200,000 pounds or more with application approval, while Volvo lists the VNX 640 tractor at up to 210,000 pounds. Those figures are maximum engineering ratings, not universal operating limits; legal weights and permitted loads vary by jurisdiction and configuration.
D13 diesel reaches 540 horsepower
The VNX uses Volvo’s D13 diesel engine in ratings from 405 to 540 horsepower, paired with 12-, 13- or 14-speed I-Shift transmissions. Peak output reaches 1,950 pound-feet of torque, and the engine brake is rated at up to 630 braking horsepower.
Volvo says the D13 is certified to EPA 2027 emissions requirements in all 50 states. The company has not announced a battery-electric VNX in this launch. That makes operating cost and fuel availability especially relevant for fleets; Chiefs Review recently examined the IEA’s warning about tight diesel supply into 2027.
Frame and axle specifications vary widely. Volvo lists front-axle capacity up to 23,000 pounds for the straight truck and up to 52,000 pounds at the rear for the VNX 640. Its main launch release also describes heat-treated frame rails rated for 160,000 pounds GVW, with higher ratings available after application approval.
Remote Steer is for low-speed positioning, not autonomy
Remote Steer lets an operator control the VNX from outside the cab at speeds up to 5 mph. Volvo positions it as a precision tool for off-road jobs involving mixers, cranes and vacuum units, where the operator may need to watch clearances or align equipment from a better vantage point.
The feature should not be confused with autonomous driving. Volvo describes it as operator-controlled, low-speed maneuvering for specific work environments. The company has not published pricing or detailed availability by configuration.
A separate Terrain Brake function is designed to arrest sudden forward or backward movement on uneven ground. Volvo says it can respond faster than a driver applying the service brakes, but that is a manufacturer performance claim rather than an independently tested result in this report.
Safety and connectivity move over from the VNL platform
Standard forward pedestrian detection scans for people in the truck’s path, while optional blind-spot monitoring works on both sides. A 360-degree camera system can provide a top-down view around the cab. Volvo also says the VNX cab uses one-third more ultra-high-strength steel than its previous vocational products and offers a driver-side curtain airbag.
Those systems matter on jobsites where workers, loaders and other equipment operate close to the truck. They also fit Volvo’s broader safety messaging; Chiefs Review previously covered a Volvo crash study on injury protection.
Every new VNX includes a factory-installed 4G telematics gateway. Volvo says it powers continuous remote diagnostics, over-the-air programming and Volvo Connect reports covering location, safety and fuel economy. Fleet buyers will still need to confirm which services require subscriptions and how long connectivity is included.
What remains unknown
The reveal supplies the major engineering specifications, but Volvo has not published pricing, full option-package costs or a delivery timetable. Sales begin October 26, so dealer ordering guides should provide the next useful details. Until then, the VNX’s clearest differentiators are its broad chassis range, 540-hp ceiling, low-speed external steering and safety hardware adapted for vocational work.
Sources: Volvo Trucks global newsroom, October 14, 2026; Volvo Trucks North America VNX specifications; and Volvo Trucks North America’s October 14 release. Featured image: Volvo VNX 300 dump truck press photo, courtesy of Volvo Trucks North America.