Volvo Cars Getting Automatic Gearbox With Start-Stop Tech

Swedish automaker Volvo announced today that a six-speed automatic gearbox with start/stop will become available in the D3 versions of the S60, V60, V70 and S80 models starting from early September 2011. With this combo, the engine must restart instantly when the driver moves the right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

The technology uses brake pressure measurement to trigger when to stop and start the engine. The start/stop system is programmed to shut down the engine immediately when the car reaches a standstill (0 km/h).

An electric pump keeps oil pressure up in the automatic gearbox while the engine is stopped. The system also includes an improved starter engine.

"We have focused on achieving the same agile feeling as you get with today's conventional automatic. The response is so seamless that it feels like the car starts accelerating immediately when the engine restarts," explains Peter Mertens, Senior VP R&D at Volvo Car Corporation.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (EU Combined) with automatic gearbox and start/stop for the aforementioned four Volvo models is now down to: 5.4 l/100km and 142 g/km of Co2 for the S60, 5,7 l/100 km and 149 g/km for the V60 and V70, and 5.6 l/100km and 148 g/km for the S80.

The two-litre D3 produces 163 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The five-cylinder 2-litre turbo diesel was introduced 2010 in the all-new Volvo S60 and is now available throughout the entire Volvo model range.