Efficiency and electrification are the key drivers when Volvo Car Corporation takes the lead in the quest for green motoring and superior fuel economy.
"We claim environmental leadership through groundbreaking initiatives within smart electrification and downsizing our conventional powertrains to four-cylinder engines solely," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation at a press gathering in connection to Los Angeles Auto Show 2011.
Volvo Car Corporation is already in the lead among European carmakers when it comes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This is shown in the annual analysis presented by the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E).
Volvo Car Corporation outperformed Europe's eight largest car manufacturers in 2010 by cutting overall CO2 emissions with no less than 9 percent.
"This excellent result is the outcome of a dedicated environmental focus under our "DRIVe Towards Zero" banner. One third of our research budgets is earmarked for reducing CO2 emissions. Our new, upcoming engine range will ensure that we continue to beat our toughest competitors when it comes to fuel economy," said Stefan Jacoby.
Four-cylinder size with six-cylinder performance
The new engine range, VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture), consists solely of four-cylinder engines, which in certain configurations will benefit from enhanced performance through electrification or other spearhead technology, such as kinetic flywheel drive.
"It is time for the automotive industry to stop counting cylinders. Focusing on four-cylinder engines is a perfect way to improve fuel economy without compromising driving pleasure or performance," Stefan Jacoby commented and added:
"We will offer customers four-cylinder engines with higher performance than present six-cylinder units. And they will have better fuel economy than the current generation of four-cylinder engines."
Smart electrification initiatives
VEA includes a range of direct-injected gasoline engines and common rail diesels that improve fuel economy with up to 35 percent. Certain engines will gain added performance via hybrid drive or other spearhead technology.
Volvo Car Corporation's leadership within smart electrification also includes the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, which reaches its first European customers in autumn 2012. It is the world's first diesel-powered plug-in hybrid, giving owners an electric range of 30 miles (50 km) and over 120 miles per U.S. gallon (1.9 l/100 km) in hybrid mode.
Deliveries of a limited fleet of the C30 Electric have started during 2011. The car has an all-electric range of up to 95 miles (150 km).
"All of our energy-efficient technologies have the same uncompromising approach. Our customers must be able to be environmentally conscious and still enjoy the pure pleasure of owning a luxury car with full driving pleasure and world-class Volvo safety," Stefan Jacoby concluded.
** Courtesy of Volvo Cars Newsroom
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