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Volvo Plan to Go Eco

Even though Ford are trying to get rid of the Swedish brand, Volvo are planing to build eco-friendly cars capable of meeting lower emission standards.

First of all, there is the DRIVe, a program used on the C30, S40 and V50 that enhances their aerodynamics, revises gear ratios and offers a version of the 1.6-liter diesel engine tweaked to emit less than 120g/km of carbon dioxide. This means that we wave goodbye to the previous 1.6 diesel, while the constructors plan is to make cars that emit less than 100g/km within a few years.

The DRIVe range doesn't stop there, as there will be an S60 emitting less than 120g/km by 2011, an S80 emitting less than 130g/km and an XC60 emitting less than 140g/km.

In 2011 a micro-hybrid will be available with two engines, a petrol version and a diesel one with both automatic and manual transmissions. This new car will have a stop-start system and brake energy regeneration, promising a overall fuel saving of up to 5%.

Another hybrid is announced which will be capable of full electric propulsion coupled to the D5 engine from 2012. Volvo expect this new car to save an extra 15% off your fuel bills. There is a range-extended plug-in hybrid similar to the pig-like-looking ReCharge concept which is said to be capable of covering 60 miles in electric mode.

According to channel4.com, the next year Volvo will introduce a new series of petrol engines known as the GTDi (Gas Turbine Direct Injection) that promise five-cylinder performance from four cylinder engines. The customer can expect fuel savings of about 30%.

Due to the fact that Volvo emphasizes on safety features, its cars are heavier than the competitors because of the equipment designed to save your life. The problem is high fuel consumption, slow and heavy cars, but they are ready to innovate their way out of these problems with the help of an electric car.
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