TIR (Transport International Router) is a global customs facilitation system for cross-border freight transport based on the United Nations Convention on International Road Transport.
Compared to the previous “cross-border road transport,” TIR offers a faster border crossing: during customs clearance, customs only needs to verify the TIR certificate information and inspect the initial customs seal; no unpacking is required. Therefore, compared to the previous cross-border transport method that required changing vehicles and containers at the border, TIR can shorten transportation time by 80% and reduce costs by 38%.
A TIR cross-border transport truck departs from Zhengzhou, travels over 2,500 kilometers, clears customs in Manzhouli, and arrives in Moscow, covering a total distance of nearly 10,000 kilometers. Such long-distance transport places extremely high demands on vehicle reliability, comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, and timeliness.
The 7,000-plus-kilometer journey through Russia consists almost entirely of two-lane, dual-lane roads (primarily hilly), and approximately 10% of the roads are in poor condition due to flooding and other factors. The 7,000-kilometer route from Manzhouli to Moscow has virtually no tunnels, and the road is built to follow the terrain. Therefore, hilly sections account for approximately 60-70% of the route. While the slopes are not particularly long, the gradient is significant, generally 5-6%, with a few sections reaching 9-10%.
The route passes through several villages, towns, and cities, and the speed limit through these locations is generally 60-70 km/h. Otherwise, the speed limit on most roads in Russia is 90 km/h. In reality, 100% of drivers adhere to the upper speed limit: 80-90 km/h in towns and cities, and up to 110 km/h on deserted roads.
Safe, reliable, and powerful, the user chose the Jiefang J7.
The user drove a Jiefang J7 Pioneer Edition with a 700-horsepower model. The 7,000-kilometer journey across Russia, much of it hilly, required a vehicle with ample horsepower to maintain its overall operating speed. This ultra-long-distance transport involved vehicles and personnel working in shifts to cover the 10,000-kilometer journey. The distance and time involved were extremely tiring for the driver, leaving no room for error. Therefore, the vehicle needed to have assisted driving to assist the crew in completing the long-distance journey.
The Jiefang J7 700-horsepower Pioneer Edition is equipped with an L2++-level assisted driving system, which features lane keeping, lane changing, and overtaking capabilities. Furthermore, the full-speed ACC automatic cruise control system allows the vehicle to automatically follow the vehicle ahead over a 10,000-kilometer journey, reducing driver fatigue. Finally, the vehicle’s emergency automatic braking system can proactively apply the brakes even when the driver is distracted, preventing rear-end collisions and other accidents.
Fuel consumption is 27 liters per 100 kilometers, and the engine brake power reaches 640 horsepower.
In terms of power, the Jiefang J7 700-horsepower model we drove is equipped with the CA6DX1 engine, with a displacement of 15.7 liters, 700 horsepower, and 3,400 Nm of torque. This engine utilizes an inline-six-cylinder twin-turbocharged design, meeting Euro VI emissions regulations while also providing the foundation for upgrades to higher emission regulations. The transmission uses a ZF 12-speed automatic manual transmission, and the rear axle is a Jiefang 440 rear axle with a gear ratio of 2.688.
Not only does the engine offer exceptional fuel economy, but the entire powertrain also achieves a remarkably high level of transmission efficiency. During our recent operation, this powertrain’s fuel efficiency was proven: over a distance of nearly 10,000 kilometers from Zhengzhou to Moscow, at an average speed of 75 kilometers per hour, fuel consumption was only 27 liters per 100 kilometers.
In terms of safety, in addition to the active safety systems mentioned above, this vehicle also boasts a powerful engine braking power of 470 kilowatts, or 640 horsepower.
This provided excellent driving safety during our trip. Uphill sections were easily handled thanks to the powerful engine, while downhill sections relied on the combined power of engine braking and the hydraulic retarder for safer and faster descents, enhancing both safety and overall driving efficiency.
In addition, low fuel consumption is also inseparable from the low wind resistance of the Jiefang J7 Pioneer Edition. The exterior styling and external components of this car adopt a low wind resistance design, combined with an oversized fairing and rubber seals in details, the vehicle’s drag coefficient is as low as 0.525. Under such efficient transportation conditions, the ultra-low drag coefficient can help users save 0.5-1 kilometer of fuel per kilometer.
