For the first time ever, the Volvo V70 and S80 are now also being offered in DRIVe versions. The cars are equipped with the same 1.6-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox as the smaller models but with specially tailored engine software and different ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears.

Volvo is now offering the DRIVe fuel economy options on the V70 and S80 models.

The optimised engine is a major aid in helping Volvo's larger sedans and family cars significantly cut their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions:
• V70 fuel economy down to 4.9 l/100 km and CO2 down to 129g, an improvement of 18 per cent compared with today's two-litre diesel.
• S80 fuel economy down to 4.9 l/100 km and CO2 down to 129g, an improvement of 15 per cent compared with the two-litre diesel.

Several other factors also contribute to the reduction in fuel consumption. For example, the tyres that have been specially designed for low rolling resistance. For the first time, the V70 and S80 DRIVe versions are also equipped with an electric power steering pump that delivers exactly the servo assistance the driver requires, in a precise and energy-efficient way.

All DRIVe models feature this power-steering system. The V70 also has a covered grille and lowered chassis to reduce air drag.

For model year 2010, the engine range for the new Volvo XC60 crossover will expand with a front-wheel drive DRIVe version powered by the 2.4D engine. CO2 emissions will be 159 g/km and fuel consumption a best-in-class at 6.0 l/100 km.

In addition to front-wheel drive, a number of minor improvements all help deliver the new model's competitive fuel consumption and CO2 figures. Volvo Cars engine experts have also succeeded in reducing friction and pump losses in the diesel engine and in cutting the pressure drop in the intake and exhaust systems.

Injection pressure has increased with the latest generation of high-pressure pumps and the injection architecture has been refined with the help of a piezo-electric system. The engine now has lower compression, more efficient combustion and the latest generation of engine management software. What is more, the turbocharger has been optimised to deliver high torque from low revs.

The gear ratios have also been optimised so the car can be driven economically. For instance, when driving at 100 km/h in top gear, engine revs and fuel consumption are lower with the new engine.

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