The new Volvo C30, S40 and V50 1.6D DRIVe

With CO2 emissions of 115 and 118 g/km

At Paris Motor Show in early October, Volvo Cars is presenting economical new diesel variants of the C30, S40 and V50 models with fuel consumption of just 4.4 litres/100 km (C30) or 4.5 litres/100 km (S40 and V50). The corresponding CO2 figures of 115 and 118 g/km mean that the C30 and V50 have best-in-class CO2 emissions in their segments. All three models - the C30, S40 and V50 - are equipped with a special set of efficiency-enhancing features and marked with the DRIVe emblem to signal their uprated environmental properties.

The DRIVe models are based on the Volvo C30 Efficiency concept car that was shown at the Frankfurt motor show in October 2007. The measures adopted to reduce CO2 emissions that were presented then will be in production before the end of the year in the C30, S40 and the V50.

'We wanted to demonstrate that low CO2 ratings are not solely the preserve of small diesel cars. By offering the Volvo V50 with emission levels below 120 g CO2/km, we are also making it possible for families and other customers who require extra space to make an active pro-environmental choice,' says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.

Holistic approach to eco-performance

The reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions was brought about by meticulously analysing the cars' total potential for more efficient, more economical driving. The cars were then optimised within four distinct areas:

Reduced air resistance:

Chassis height reduced by about 10 mm. Same comfort setting as the standard car.

Spoiler at the front, the same as on the T5 (S40 and V50).

Covered radiator grille. Behind the characteristic Volvo grille there is a wind-deflecting panel that provides better aerodynamics inside the engine compartment.

Wind deflectors in front of the front wheels.

Aerodynamically optimised wheels of special design. Available in 15 and 16 inch sizes.

Underbody panels for more efficient airflow under the car as well (C30).

Unique rear spoiler (C30). The S40 has the same spoiler as the T5 and D5 models.

New rear bumper (C30).

Lower rolling resistance:

All the cars are equipped as standard with a new generation of Michelin tyres with low rolling resistance. Available for 15 and 16 inch wheels.

Higher ratios:

Gearbox with altered ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears.

More efficient driveline:

Optimised engine cooling, engine management and power steering.

New transmission oil with lower friction.

Gearchange indicator in the information display.

'Changing the transmission oil gives us a 0.75 percent lower fuel consumption. Tyres with low rolling resistance save another two percent. Each of these measures may seem rather modest, but it is important to look at the whole picture. Taken together, all the small adjustments have helped us achieve our aim, with emissions below 120 g/km for all three cars. Without in any way compromising on either driving properties or comfort, which was an important requirement,' says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

Volvo C30 best in the ECO test

Volvo's DRIVe cars are all certified according to the mandatory European NEDC standard. In addition, the Volvo C30 has excelled in the ECO test, which carries out even more comprehensive measurements of CO2 and particulate emissions. This certification process relies on stars and points, in a similar way to the EuroNCAP programme for safety. The independent ECO test places the Volvo C30 at the top of its size category, with four stars and 76 points in the overall assessment of the car's total environmental performance.

Benefits for the environment and economy

Reducing fuel consumption and dropping below the 120 g/km CO2 emission level offers a range of benefits, both for the environment and the buyer's economy. With lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, these cars reduce the net contribution to global warming. All new diesel models from Volvo are also fitted with a maintenance-free particle filter that traps about 95 percent of all soot particles.

With the cars' good environmental performance, the driver can count on various financial incentives in the form of subsidies in the 13 European markets that have implemented a CO2-based vehicle taxation system, for instance with a 'green grant' that is paid to the owner, lower road tax, registration tax exemption or other similar forms of financial encouragement.

Rising fuel prices also make our 1.6D DRIVe offer very attractive. The fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.5 l/100 km and is as low as 3.7 l/100 km at highway speeds.

Sold throughout Europe

'We will offer our diesel-powered DRIVe cars throughout Europe, even in countries that today do not offer any form of financial incentive. We are doing this to give everyone the opportunity to choose a pro-environmental alternative from Volvo. For us it is not simply a question of short-term sales - it also clearly shows how strongly Volvo prioritises environmental properties throughout the product range, both today and for the future,' says Fredrik Arp.

Volvo Cars expects to sell over 20,000 1.6D DRIVe cars next year in Europe. Sales are expected to spread fairly uniformly throughout the region, with France, Sweden and Spain accounting for most sales. The reason for this is the particularly favourable terms offered to buyers in these countries.

The price supplement for the DRIVe package is estimated at between 150 and 450 euros depending on model and market. The DRIVe cars can be specified with most of the options and accessories that Volvo offers, apart from those that affect the cars' aerodynamic properties.

'The higher price must be regarded as particularly modest bearing in mind the advantages the customer gains in the form of environmental incentives and reduced fuel consumption. We also believe customers will appreciate the opportunity to tailor their DRIVe car by choosing from the wide range of options available,' adds Fredrik Arp.

The most eco-friendly car range

Apart from these three diesel-powered DRIVe cars, Volvo also offers a comprehensive Flexifuel range encompassing five car models and three bioethanol engines. All told, this means that Volvo Cars today offers the market's widest range of premium cars with a low environmental imprint.

Volvo Cars is also conducting intensive research into hybrid technology and future alternative fuels. The attention-grabbing Volvo ReCharge Concept plug-in hybrid and Ford Motor Company's decision to establish its European hybrid centre in Volvo's home town, Göteborg, clearly highlight the environment-technology potential there is within the company.

by Volvo

Packing a lot into a compact sedan, the Volvo S40 features numerous safety features, mostly standard, and luxurious detail into its compact package. Enjoying several popular years in Europe the US sales began in 2000 following Ford's acquisition of Volvo. For 2004 the Volvo S40 was updated once again with the addition of a more generous interior along with enhanced safety features.

Entry-level luxury vehicles/ compact executive cars, the Volvo S40, V40 and V50 are produced by Volvo cars. The first generation was launched in 1995, while the second followed in 2004. The second generation has been listed by Forbes as one of the best luxury vehicles for young affluent drivers. According to J.D. Power and Associates it is also the most popular car among women in the luxury segment in the US market.

The S40 saloon, (sedan) and V50 estate (station wagon) were introduced during the summer of 1998. Built in the Netherlands, the cars were produced at the NedCar factory which was a pre-Ford joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors. Though the Japanese version did not sell as well as in Europe, the S40 was based on a common platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma.

For 2000 the 40 series was updated and featured a variety of technical improvements simultaneously introduced and those included improved engine management, additional safety features, larger brake disc, direct fuel injection, new front suspension and steering, updated rear suspension, larger tires and a slight widening of the track width.

The only engine available in North America was the 1.9-liter. Equipped with four-cylinder engines, the 40 series came with a 1.9 L diesel or 1.6, 1.8, or 2.0-liter fuel injected gasoline engines with low and high pressure turbo variants at the top of the motor range. Trim levels in the UK were base, SE and CD. The first vehicle to earn four stars in Euro-NCAP was the Volvo S40.

Debuting during the middle of the 2004 model year, the second generation S40 featured a new design that was based on the Volvo P1 platform built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. The V40 was replaced by the V50 estate in this same year.

For 2005 the Volvo S40 was nominated for the World Car of the Year award and also won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Compact Award. For the same year the S40 was also elected as the South African Car of the Year by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.

Wile the majority of its components along with its chassis were developed by Volvo, very similar mechanical components can be found on the European Ford Focus and the Mazda3. The latest generation of Volvo's 5 cylinder engines, a 2.5L 5-cylinder had been continually developed by Volvo since the debut of the engines in the 850 in 1993. The 2.4, 2.4i and the top of the line S40 T5 AWD continues to be made by Volvo. The AWD system is bought from Haldex of Sweden while the transmission is developed through GETRAG of Germany.

One of several variants of the S40, the S40 T5 features a 2.5 L five-cylinder fuel injection with a light-pressure turbocharger. A DOHC design, the valvetrain has four valves per cylinder. Following in the tradition of the first generation, the engine is transversely mounted at the front of the vehicle and drives the front wheels.

For the 2008 model year the Volvo S40 was updated and now featured a sporty new look along with updated premium feel. Newly updated audio systems were showcased, along with rapidly growing storage space in the new S40. New safety features that included Emergency Brake Lights which flash rapidly during hard braking to alert traffic behind the vehicle was now added. Optional Active Bi-Xenon headlights which point the light beam in the direction of the road as it curves, was also added.

Now achieving an output of 227 hp, the T5 engine received a performance increase of 9 hp. Halfway through the 2007 the D5 engine became available with a manual gearbox now offering 400 Nm of torque instead of the automatic transmission's 350 Nm.

While the current S40 is based on the C30, the new S40 will be based on the new C2 platform.

by Jessican Donaldson