Volvo launches automatic DRIVe diesels with same fuel consumption as manual
- 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 launch of an automatic gearbox option in four of its DRIVe models - the S60 DRIVE, V60 DRIVe, V70 DRIVe and the S80 DRIVe - in the latest step in its 'DRIVe towards Zero' low-emissions strategy. This marks the first time the models can be ordered with Volvo's Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox - which, new drivers will be pleased to know, deliver exactly the same fuel economy and emissions as the class-leading manual boxed variants.
The low consumption and emission levels come about as a result of several technological improvements, including reduced friction between gearbox components and modification of the engine and gearbox software.
Senior vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation Peter Mertens was pleased with the change. "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," he stated.
Volvo's 'DRIVe Towards Zero' also includes improvements on the petrol engines. By optimizing the 4-cylinder 1.6l T3 engine, fuel consumption ahs been reduced to 49.0mpg. This results in a 17g/km reduction in CO2 emissions to just 135g/km. "Keeping the CO2 emissions below 140 grams is essential since this is a level used by many fleet customers," said Mertens. "We have managed to do this in the T3 version through a number of small, significant improvements. We have also optimized the gearbox gearing for maximum fuel efficiency without losing the engine characteristics,"
Production for the DRIVe Powershift will begin mid-February and the models will be available to customers in early 2012.