VOLVO LAUNCHES AUTOMATIC DRIVe DIESELS

• DRIVe now available with an automatic gearbox in S60, V60, V70 and S80
• Petrol T3 engine now below 140g/km of CO₂

Volvo Car Corporation has announced the latest step in its ‘DRIVe towards Zero’ emissions strategy with the launch of an automatic gearbox option in four Volvo DRIVe models – the S60 DRIVE, V60 DRIVe, V70 DRIVe and the S80 DRIVe.

For the first time, these DRIVe models can now be ordered with Volvo’s Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox. And buyers of these cars won’t compromise on environmental care or economy as the automatic gearboxed cars deliver exactly the same fuel economy and emissions as the class-leading manual ‘boxed variants.

“For the first time ever, we have managed to bring the fuel consumption in variants with an automatic gearbox down to the same level as in the manual versions. An impressive achievement by our powertrain experts,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at the Volvo Car Corporation.

Fuel consumption (combined cycle) and CO₂ figures are as follows:

Volvo S60 DRIVe Automatic – 65.7mpg & 114g/km

Volvo V60 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Volvo V70 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Volvo S80 DRIVe Automatic – 62.8mpg & 119g/km

Customers will be able to order a DRIVe Powershift in early 2012 with production starting mid-February.  On the road prices start at £25,230 for the S60 DRIVe, £26,405 for the V60 DRIVe, £27,730 for the V70 DRIVe and £26,980 for the S80 DRIVe.

The low consumption and emission levels are the result of a number of technological improvements:

• Friction between gearbox components has been reduced.
• The engine and gearbox software have been modified.
• The start/stop system cuts off the diesel engine when the car is still rolling (below 3mph).
• All electrical systems have been optimised to create lower energy consumption.
• The S60, V60, V70 and S80 DRIVe is fitted with Volvo’s latest 4 cylinder 8 valve 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering low CO₂ while still delivering a healthy 115hp and 270 Nm of torque.

DRIVe details:

• Now available with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Powershift automatic gearbox
• Brake energy regeneration
• Turbo with variable turbine geometry
• Common rail fuel supply fitted with Piezo injectors
• Combined catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter
• Start/Stop technology with intelligent climate monitoring
• Low rolling resistance tyres (dependant on specification)

Details of the Powershift gearbox:

• Wet double clutch
• Split input shaft (outer hollow shaft encloses the inner shaft)
• Manual gear selection available via the gear selector
• Hydraulically controlled

Petrol powered T3 under 140 g/km

Volvo Car Corporation’s ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ also includes improvements on the petrol engines.

By optimising the four-cylinder, 1.6-litre T3 engine (150 hp), which is available in the Volvo S60 and V60, Volvo’s engineering experts have managed to bring fuel consumption down to 49.0mpg in the S60 (previously 42.8mpg).  This corresponds to CO₂ emissions of just 135 g/km, a reduction of 17g/km.

The Powershift transmission can now be specified with the T3 engine, reducing an entry level price of an automatic S60 to £24,270.  The figures for the direct-injected T3 engine combined with automatic Powershift in an S60 are 39.8mpg and 164 g/km.

The S60 and V60 T3 Powershift will be available to order early 2012 with first deliveries taking place in April.

“Keeping the CO₂ emissions below 140 grams is essential since this is a level used by many fleet customers. We have managed to do this in the T3 version through a number of small, significant improvements. We have also optimised the gearbox gearing for maximum fuel efficiency without losing the engine characteristics,” says Peter Mertens.

European leader in CO₂ reduction

Volvo Car Corporation’s leading position among European carmakers in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is shown in the annual analysis presented by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E).

Volvo Car Corporation outperformed Europe’s eight largest car manufacturers in 2010 by cutting overall CO₂ emissions by no less than nine percent.

“This excellent result is the outcome of a dedicated environmental focus under our “DRIVe Towards Zero” banner. One third of our research budget is earmarked for reducing CO₂ emissions. Our new, upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine range, which consists solely of four-cylinder engines, will ensure that we continue to beat our toughest competitors when it comes to fuel economy,” says Peter Mertens.