Volvo extends its range of DRIVe Eco cars

It really is remarkable what car makers can do when pushed. After years of thirsty cars, more and more manufacturers are showing us what can be done when they make a real effort in this direction (and not always at the expense of performance), and the latest is Volvo, which has extended its range of DRIVe cars to seven.

Volvo DRIVe range extended to seven models - will show at Geneva '09

The full DRIVe range will be revealed at Geneva ’09, and includes the C30, S40, V50, V70, S80, XC60 and XC70. Full details of the range and emissions and the full press release at the bottom of the page.

Probably of most note is the Co2 levels on the XC60 and XC70. By dumping 4WD, Volvo has managed to bring the XC60 in at under 160g/km, putting the car in the sub-160 band for business writing down allowances. Volvo says that this is the first premium SUV to achieve this, which is fair enough but, being picky, do we still consider it a competitive SUV if it only has 2WD?

But it’s hard to be too picky, especially when the headline emissions and fuel economy are so impressive. And good to see Volvo pushing ahead despite its ‘Orphan’ status!

Volvo is extending its green DRIVe range after dramatically reducing CO2 levels and increasing fuel efficiency in seven models. The full DRIVe range will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009 and will now include the XC60 crossover, V70 and XC70 premium estates and S80 executive saloon. The current DRIVe cars, C30 SportsCoupe, S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon all offer class leading CO2 emissions thanks to an intelligent Start/Stop system. All the new DRIVe models will be available in the UK in summer 2009 with further specification and pricing details being announced closer to the time.

Performance, preliminary CO2 emissions and fuel consumption for the new Volvo DRIVe models are as follows:

All DRIVe models are equipped with a conventional diesel engine and manual gearbox optimised for extra-low fuel consumption. These cars are also tailored specifically for low rolling resistance and reduced air drag.

When the driver puts the gear lever into neutral and releases the clutch while at a standstill, the engine switches off. The next time the driver presses the clutch, the engine starts up again. This technology has reduced fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions by 4-5% in mixed driving conditions. Start/Stop technology is particularly effective in urban traffic, when the saving can be as much as 8%.

When the car is at a standstill and the engine is switched off, some electronic systems such as the air conditioning step down to standby level in order to save fuel. However, Volvo’s Start/Stop system continuously monitors the comfort level and automatically reactivates the air conditioning if, for instance, the temperature increases in the passenger compartment. The system does not set any limits for comfort-focused features such as the sound system or other facilities that the occupants will want to maintain.

This innovative monitoring system has been made possible due to an additional small battery which supports the larger battery by providing extra power. Thanks to this extra battery, Volvo’s DRIVe models also feature particularly quick and smooth start-up. The audio system also remains unaffected when the starter motor is activated. This distinguishes Volvo Car’s solution from other systems offered by the competition. The standard larger battery has also been upgraded to handle up to 175,000 Start/Stop cycles.

The driver continuously receives feedback about system status via the in-car information display. The Start/Stop function can be engaged and disengaged via a DRIVe button in the centre console and in the default setting, the function is activated.

The second new feature in the C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe 1.6D with Start/Stop is a regenerative charge facility. This charges the battery as soon as the driver releases the accelerator or brakes while a gear is engaged. By harnessing the car’s kinetic energy, the alternator does not have to use diesel fuel as a power source to recharge the car’s battery. Fuel savings of between 2 and 3% have been achieved with this function.

In addition to front-wheel drive, a number of improvements all help deliver the new model’s competitive fuel consumption and CO2 figures. Volvo Cars’ engine experts have also succeeded in reducing friction and pump losses in the diesel engine and in cutting the pressure drop in the intake and exhaust systems.

Injection pressure has increased with the latest generation of high-pressure pumps and the injection architecture has been refined with the help of a piezo-electric system. The engine now has lower compression, more efficient combustion and the latest generation of engine management software. What is more, the turbocharger has been tuned to deliver high torque from low revs.

The gear ratios have also been optimised so the car can be driven economically. For instance, when driving at 62 mph in top gear, engine revs and thus also fuel consumption are significantly lower with the new powertrain.

One important part of the development brief was to retain the sporty driving properties.

“More horsepower, higher torque and a sporty chassis setting all help give the front-wheel drive version of the XC60 and XC70 the right driving dynamics. It is the perfect choice for the customer who wants to focus on CO2 emissions without compromising on driving pleasure,” says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President, Product Development at Volvo Cars.

The optimised powertrain is a major aid in helping Volvo’s larger cars significantly cut their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to 57.6 mpg and 129 g/km respectively.

Several other factors also contribute to the reduction in fuel consumption, for example the tyres that have been specially designed for low rolling resistance. The V70 and S80 DRIVe versions are also equipped with an electric power steering pump that delivers exactly the servo assistance the driver requires, in a precise and energy-efficient way. All DRIVe models feature this power steering system. The V70 also features a covered grille to aid aerodynamics and a lowered chassis (20 mm front, 15 mm rear).

“Our aim is to offer cars that have the lowest CO2 emissions in each size class. DRIVe is the symbol for this process and the cars bearing this badge are those with which we have made most progress. However, the fuel-efficiency focus encompasses all our products and powertrains. By offering a broad-based product portfolio with highly economical and more powerful alternatives, the customer is able to choose his or her own level of environmental imprint,” concluded Magnus Jonsson.

By Cars UK