Comments on: Volvo developing more fuel-efficient models, including hybrids

By: wbent

wbent — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:08:07 +0000

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?

By: bimmer_mann_18

bimmer_mann_18 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:46:39 +0000

Yet they wont take back any of their cars as stated by LLN

By: Gundy

Gundy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:25:45 +0000

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..

By: Lionwithoutpride

Lionwithoutpride — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:46:46 +0000

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.

By: Lionwithoutpride

Lionwithoutpride — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:35:01 +0000

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 . . .

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:19:27 +0000

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.

By: TomF

TomF — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:43:02 +0000

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.

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:51:19 +0000

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.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:43:18 +0000

Volvo already makes the most fuel efficient cars since most never leave the dealer to begin with.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:21:15 +0000

They’d better check with their upcoming Chinese ownership before making any long-term investment decisions.

By: Badass Z51

Badass Z51 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:15:53 +0000

Your Comment

By: A4

A4 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:04:32 +0000

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.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:55:27 +0000

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.

By: A4

A4 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:50:11 +0000

the US needs one of their diesels, and fast