With South Africa’s new vehicle emissions tax that kicked in yesterday, 1 September 2010, the local introduction of new derivatives in Volvo’s low-emissions DRIVEe range should be great news to consumers who do not want to sacrifice quality, style and safety. The DRIVe badge is attached to cars in the Volvo range that have the best environmental performance in their class. All DRIVe models are equipped with a conventional diesel engine and manual gearbox optimised for extra-low fuel consumption, and tailored specifically for low rolling resistance and reduced air drag. Volvo’s aim is to offer cars that have the lowest carbon emissions in each size class, and DRIVe is Volvo’s symbol for this process; the cars bearing this badge are those with which we have made most progress.
The Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe was the first model in the Volvo DRIVe range to be introduced locally, followed by the gorgeous XC60 2.4D DRIVe, but the best is yet to follow because by mid-2011, Volvo Car South Africa plans to introduce five new DRIVe derivatives to its local line-up, offering clients who consider emission levels an integral part of their buying decision a much wider choice. In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to such an extent, the new DRIVe versions of the C30 and S40 have been equipped with intelligent new features, such as a Start/Stop function that allows the engine to switch off when the car is at a standstill, for instance while waiting at traffic lights or when stuck in traffic queues. If the driver puts the gear lever into neutral and releases the clutch while at a standstill, the engine switches off. The next time the driver presses the clutch, the engine starts up again. This technology can reduce fuel consumption and thus carbon dioxide emissions by 4-5% in mixed driving conditions. Start/Stop technology is particularly effective in urban traffic, when the saving may be as much as 8%.
While the car is at a standstill and the engine is switched off, some electronic systems such as the air conditioning step down to standby level in order to save fuel. However, the Start/Stop system continuously monitors the comfort level and automatically reactivates the relevant systems if for instance the temperature increases in the passenger compartment. The system does not set any limits for comfort-enhancing features such as the sound system or other facilities that the customer wants to maintain. This monitoring system, which is specific to Volvo cars, and the resultant high comfort level have been made possible owing to an additional small battery that supports the larger battery by providing extra power. Thanks to this extra battery, Volvo’s DRIVe models also feature particularly quick and smooth start-up and the audio system, for instance, remains totally unaffected when the starter motor is activated. This distinguishes Volvo Car’s solution from that offered by the competition.
What is more, the standard larger battery has been upgraded to handle up to 175 000 Start/Stop cycles. The driver continuously receives feedback about system status via the in-car information display. The Start/Stop function can be engaged and disengaged via a special DRIVe button in the centre console. In the default setting, the function is activated. In the future, this special DRIVe button will also regulate additional systems such as the DRIVe “economy settings” for particularly fuel-efficient performance that are on the way in forthcoming models. Another feature in the C30 D2 and S40 D2 with Start/Stop is a regenerative charge facility. This function charges the battery as soon as the driver releases the accelerator or brakes while a gear is engaged. By harnessing the car’s kinetic energy, the alternator does not have to use diesel fuel as a power source when the battery’s charge level dips. Fuel savings of between 2 and 3% can be achieved with this function.
The Volvo Cars DRIVe range is divided into three categories linked to three emission levels: 120g, 140g, and 160g per kilometer. The categories signal Volvo’s highly ambitious carbon targets in each respective segment and also match the special carbon tax brackets and other governmental green-car incentives found in many European countries, and now South Africa as well. Volvo’s aim is to further reduce these levels as we develop new and even more environmentally optimised products. Yet Volvo’s improvements to the environmental properties of its product range are not limited to the DRIVe versions as the fuel-reduction measures of these cars will also benefit the rest of the range. What is more, all the automatic transmissions will be 5 – 7% more efficient in forthcoming versions.
The increased local line-up of DRIVe models will start with the introduction of the C30 D2 DRIVe Manual and the XC30 D3 DRIVe Manual at the end of 2010. The C30 D2 DRIVe is fitted with a 1.6-litre engine, offers fuel consumption of 4.3-litres/100km and carbon emissions of just 114g/km. The XC60 D3 DRIVe has a 2.0-litre engine, offers 5.9-litres/100km and carbon emissions of 154g/km. These models are followed by the S40 D2 DRIVe Manual in the first quarter of 201, featuring the same engine, fuel consumption and emissions as the C30 mentioned before. Last but not least, the new S60 D2 Manual and V60 D2 DRIVe Manual arrives in the second quarter of 2011. Both models feature a 1.6-litre engine, but fuel consumption and carbon emissions figures are not available yet.
- Christo Valentyn
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