Volvo has always been known for its safety, but the Swedish automaker plans to be known for both safety and fuel-efficiency in the coming years. The first of Volvo’s green cars will hit the market next year, with a host of new models becoming available in subsequent years.
Volvo’s first lineup of green cars will be dubbed DRIVe, and will include the company’s C30, S40 and V50 models. The first DRIVe models will be equipped with better aerodynamics, more fuel-efficient gear ratios and an updated version of Volvo’s 1.6L diesel powerplant. The changes should net CO2 emissions of 120g/km or less, according to Channel4.
Over time, the DRIVe lineup will grow to include the S60, S80 and XC60, with the hopes of keeping CO2 emissions to 140g/km or less.
A so-called micro-hybrid will join the range in 2011 – which basically sounds like a mild-hybrid currently used by General Motors – promising fuel savings of about 5 percent.
A full hybrid is also in the works for 2012, featuring Volvo’s D5 diesel engine and fuel savings of up to 15 percent. Also look for a production version of Volvo’s ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept to hit the market early next decade.
In the short-term, Volvo will integrate four-cylinder direct-injection gas engines into its lineup – dubbed Gas Turbine Direct Injection, or GTDi for short – which will offer similar power to their five-cylinder counterparts, but will offer up to a 30 percent fuel savings. Look for Volvo’s GTDi engine technology to launch sometime in 2009.
12/11, 12:50 PM
posted by:
A4
the US needs one of their diesels, and fast
12/11, 12:55 PM
posted by:
Borat
I doubt we will see diesel for 2 reasons: cost of fuel down 60% from 5 months ago and cost of diesel is much higher then premium (used by majority of luxury brands). Ironically, even 220HP Volvo 5 cylinder is using regular (latest model). And, I don’t believe 1.6 L diesel will provide performance required for US market, especially mated to slush box. For US diesel boat sailed away with cost of oil to normal levels.
12/11, 1:04 PM
posted by:
A4
the cost of oil shooting down is what we’re going to see for the short term. these prices will not last. the US will not be out buying SUV’s like they used to just cause they can pick up a gallon for $1.49 again until the recession is over. And yeah, its a recession at this point. Unemployment is at almost 7%. Oil prices will trend back to the highs when things play out, and most americans who care know this, and the automakers know this as well, and will continue to nudge alternatives our way. Granted the 1.6 is too small for our roads, hence why i said ONE of their diesels, and not the 1.6.
12/11, 1:15 PM
posted by:
Badass Z51
Your Comment
12/11, 1:21 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
They’d better check with their upcoming Chinese ownership before making any long-term investment decisions.
12/11, 1:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Volvo already makes the most fuel efficient cars since most never leave the dealer to begin with.
12/11, 1:51 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I’m glad Volvo is going green, but it is hardly enough to justify a stay of execution from the horrible death sentence they so richly deserve.
12/11, 4:43 PM
posted by:
TomF
LOL @ johnnycanuck…
Isn’t this about ten years too late from Volvo? The far-gone eco-lefties in Sweden mandated enviro-friendly glue in cabin hardware that dried up and gave out after five or six years, resulting in drooping headliners, etc., but they couldn’t get off the dime for hybrid drive? Never understood why Volvo was so totally asleep at this switch for this whole decade.
12/11, 5:19 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
My S60 regularly gets over 35 MPG highway and mid 20’s around town. This is pretty good for a car of this size. The DRIVe package looks good – it avoids the glorified jellybean shape that affects most enviromental rides. They could easily bring this to the U.S. now and the diesel when it’s certified.
12/11, 5:35 PM
posted by:
Lionwithoutpride
My ‘94 Volvo 850 wagon regularly gets near 30 miles per gallon (and it is nowhere near rated for that). Of course, I do admit I am one of those annoying Volvo drivers who does the speed limit . . .
12/11, 5:46 PM
posted by:
Lionwithoutpride
Well . . . I should rephrase . . . my car USED to get that mileage. The last time the mechanics were under the dash the cruise control blinked out a few days later (I’m sure it’s utterly unrelated . . . ), so my mileage has gone down, but as near as I can figure without those fancy electronic gauges, I think I’m still getting around 27 mpg on a good day.
12/11, 8:25 PM
posted by:
Gundy
Did I read that right? “… fuel savings of 5%..”? And the next one, 15% ?! FIFTEEN PERCENT?! How about FIFTY percent, come on! 15% is a literal drop in the bucket. G-Lightnin’, I love the S60, that’s great mileage! Just think, if you had a hybrid version getting 5% better mileage you’d be getting 36.75 mpg on the highway!! WHOA… (cough).. If the #$%^! Corvette can get 27-28 on the highway, why can’t “regular” (non-dedicated-sports-cars) get 40+? Sorry for always ranting about this gents, I know it gets old when some meatball keeps harping on the same thing over and over..
12/11, 9:46 PM
posted by:
bimmer_mann_18
Yet they wont take back any of their cars as stated by LLN
12/11, 10:08 PM
posted by:
wbent
A business case for diesels in America can not be made even at $5 a gallon fuel when average ownership, upfront costs of powertrain, maintenance, fuel economy and American tastes. Look at full size diesel trucks sales in comparison when 2008 EPA standards hit, what about 2010. Fiesta’s with Urea tanks?