Volvo S60 and V60 Get DRIVe Versions

As the more eco-conscious-minded driver takes over the automotive market, car makers are forced to offer, alongside the regular versions of their models, at least one green-orientated versions. So is the case with Swedish manufacturer Volvo, who announced today the arrival of the DRIVe versions of the S60 and V60.

These versions of the models are available in conjunction with the 1.6l diesel engine (a unit in itself Euro 5 compliant). Using the DRIVe technologies, the auto maker managed to make the models even less harmful to the environment.

By using new technologies like a new six-speed manual gearbox and start/stop function, both models have brought down their CO2 emission figures: the V60 now emits 119 g/km, while the S60 only 114 g/km.

"We have moved ahead very quickly since we launched our first three 119 gram models in Paris in autumn 2008. The fact that we now have seven models below 120 g/km, three of them below 100 grams, emphasises that few of our competitors can match us in the drive for increasingly eco-efficient cars," said Stefan Jacoby, Volvo CEO.

The DRIVe range offered by Volvo, meaning those versions of its vehicles equipped with fuel-saving and emission-cutting technologies, now encompass the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 (models in which the DRIVe badge means some 99g/km of CO2 released into the air).

The Swedish auto maker has no plans of stopping the DRIVe expansion here. The next step will be the launch of two other models, the Volvo V70 DRIVe and the Volvo S80 DRIVe later in spring 2011.