Volvo builds 1790kW speed record truck

Those crazy Swedes. Volvo has released a teaser video ahead of its attempt to break speed records for trucks later this week.

To accomplish this its built a crazy custom-built semi dubbed 'The Iron Knight' powered by a highly modifed version of its D13 turbo diesel engine. In standard form, this produces 373kW/2507Nm however Volvo has boosted this to 1790kW/5996Nm. No, that's not a typo.

Volvo's last attempt at setting truck speed records was in 2012 with the bybrid 'Mean Green', which managed 153.252km/h over the standing kilometre and 236.577km/h over the flying kilometre, however we suspect The Iron Knight might manage a bit better than that.

Volvo is attempting the record on August 24 and we'll let you know how it goes.