Volvo Ahead in Eco War
Volvo’s new DRIVe range achieves sub 120g/km which makes it cleaner than BMW, VW and Audi in three major market segments.
The Volvo C30, S40 and V50 have all been equipped with ‘efficiency enhancing features’ which make them cheaper to tax, fill up with fuel and cost the environment less too. The four main areas of improvement have been to reduce the air resistance, lower the rolling resistance of the tyres, give the gearbox higher ratios in third, fourth and fifth and create a more efficient driveline. The latter includes optimizing the engine cooling, engine management and power steering, using new transmission oil which lowers the friction in the gearbox and also giving drivers a gearchange indicator displayed on the dash.
Volvo has estimated around 20,000 1.6D DRIVe models will be sold in Europe next year with the highest uptake in France, Sweden and Spain and the premium for going green will be an extra 150 to 450 euros (£120 - £360) depending on the model and the country you buy it in. The majority of options and choice of specs will be available on DRIVe models, with the exception of those that affect aerodynamic properties. Exact prices for the UK are expected to be announced early next year.