Varta I16 · Truck battery 12V 120Ah 760A

Varta I16 ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) 120Ah 760A 12V Lorry Battery

The Varta I16 lorry battery is the 12 V, 120 Ah model delivering 760 A of cold cranking power (EN), from Varta's ProMotive SLI (formerly ProMotive HD) range, designed for lorries, buses, large vans and machinery. Measuring 510 × 175 × 235 mm with the positive terminal on the right, it is the direct replacement for lorries that leave the factory with a 120 Ah battery in this format.

• Dependable through repeated starts and while powering cab equipment.
• Reinforced grids and casing for the severe demands of haulage.
• Withstands the vibration of thousands of kilometres on the road.
• High cranking current for large-capacity diesel engines.

Vehicles compatible with the Varta I16 battery

The Varta I16 is compatible with more than 159 vehicles: it is fitted as standard or as a replacement by makes such as Lamborghini, Same, Fiatallis, Komatsu, Cimas and Landini. For anyone who needs to change the battery in their Lamborghini or Same, this Varta I16 reproduces the original specifications. Added to that list are models from Hurlimann, Fiat, Volvo, Benati, Carraro, Huerlimann, Atlas and Laverda.

Format and fitting of the Varta I16

The Varta I16 is made in the 510 × 175 × 235 mm format and weighs 35.12 kg. The positive terminal on the right determines which side the cables end up on: this is the detail behind more wrong purchases than any other, so it is worth checking before you order. It takes a B03 hold-down and terminal 1, the system that anchors it to the vehicle's battery tray. Checking the three dimensions and the terminal position before buying avoids the most common mistake when replacing a battery.

The Varta I16 and the ProMotive SLI range

The ProMotive SLI range is Varta's starter series for commercial vehicles — lorries, buses and machinery — and in the new portfolio it unifies the former ProMotive HD (Heavy Duty) and SHD (Super Heavy Duty). It offers high cranking current for large-capacity diesel engines and a reinforced construction.

Its reinforced grids and separators stand up to the vibration and cycling of long-distance haulage and of the most severe use, aiming for maximum service life and starting reliability in fleets that work long hours.

Compared with a car battery, this range is calibrated for severe, continuous use: greater mechanical strength and more tolerance of cycling and of the knocks of the road. It is the correct replacement for a lorry, bus or machine working long shifts. This battery used to belong to Varta's ProMotive HD or ProMotive SHD range; following the brand's commercial renaming (2025), it now forms part of the new ProMotive SLI series.

Why choose a Varta battery

Varta is an original equipment (OEM) supplier to a good share of Europe's car manufacturers: many cars leave the factory with a Varta fitted. Buying a replacement means, in most cases, refitting the original battery with the same quality and the brand's official warranty.

Varta combines more than a century of experience with Clarios's industrial production: it is the battery many manufacturers choose as standard and one of the most recommended by workshops. Like any lead-acid battery, it is 100% recyclable.

Varta's production combines automated lines with verification of more than 100 parameters per unit; that traceability is what underpins its reputation for reliable starting throughout the battery's life.

Manufacturer's warranty

The Varta I16 battery comes with the official manufacturer warranty. An important warning for commercial vehicles: most lorries run two batteries connected in series (a 24 V installation). If you replace only one, the new battery ends up working alongside the old one — which has already lost capacity and has higher internal resistance — and that imbalance means one overcharges while the other falls short, shortens the life of the new unit and may be treated by the manufacturer as improper use, voiding the warranty. That is why it is always advisable to change both batteries at the same time.

Care and maintenance

In professional use, checking the state of charge and the battery hold-down regularly prevents breakdowns on the road. Vibration and the high temperatures of the engine bay are what shortens a battery's life most, so secure mounting is key. Keeping the terminals clean and tight and checking the charging system extends battery life in vehicles that clock up long hours. A well-maintained battery reduces the risk of downtime caused by a battery that will not start the engine.