Volvo S60 DRIVe & V60 DRIVe launch

The Volvo V60 DRIVe

This week we’re out playing with a Volvo DRIVe model, although our car is the S40 DRIVe. DRIVe models are Volvo’s push at all things green (or all things blue if you’re German) and take a regular Volvo and eco the bejesus out of it with stuff like stop-start, low rolling resistance tyres and the plethora of eco-toys car makers use to make the headline economy and emissions unbelievable.

The result is a Volvo that drives pretty much the same as any Volvo but which can – as long as you play the eco-driving game – run almost on fresh air, and because cars like this are designed to hit emissions targets on official cycles, they’re also good on stuff like VED and BIK.

And if the S40 DRIVe we’ve got this week is anything to go by, you can still drive with enthusiasm and enjoy it as long as you don’t mind the economy suffering. And don’t mind ending up in second gear after three feet because first gear is so short.

So the launch of DRIVe models on the latest Volvo S60 and Volvo V60 is good news for drivers who want some Volvo goodness, a decent drive when the mood takes and economy when it doesn’t. You won’t win the traffic light Grand Prix with a 1.6 litre eco-focused diesel, but it will still go round bends briskly when you want to.

Both saloon (S60) and Estate (V60) manage to get over 60mpg and under 120g/km. The S60 does 65.7mpg and emits 114g/km and the V70 isn’t far behind with 62.8mpg and 119g/km. You’ll never achieve these figures if you enjoy what the cars offer, but it’s there if you need it.

Production on the Volvo S60 DRIVe and the Volvo V60 DRIVe starts this week with first customer cars due in April, and starting at £23,495. Sensibly, Volvo views the DRIVe stuff as an option, not a model, so you can have whatever spec you wish. Even a Volvo DRIVe R-Design.

Which should be an oxymoron.

By Cars UK