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Frankfurt Preview: Volvo C30 Efficiency
click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency
Volvo would like you to know that the path to improved emissions and higher fuel economy is not entirely paved with hybrids and hydrogen. The Swedish automaker is still working on improving its engines that are powered by dead dino juice, and will be showcasing a new version of its C30 hatchback at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September aimed at promoting the idea that piston power isn't obsolete just yet.
Called the C30 Efficiency, this special car will sip diesel fuel at the rate of 4.5L per every 100 kilometers. That's 52.26 mpg to us Yanks. It achieves these numbers using a variety of techniques. For the engine, efficiency was increased by using low-friction transmission oil and optimizing the engine management software. An age old trick for good gas mileage, higher gearing, was used on 3rd, 4th and 5th gears to eek out a few more kilometers, as well. Low rolling resistance tires, another common strategy for higher mileage, were also used. Finally, Volvo made the C30 slipperier through the air by reducing its ride height, adding a special rear roof spoiler, new rear bumper, and even adding underbody panels to smooth out the car's belly. Even the new 16-inch rims are aero-optimized!
The C30 Efficiency's engine is a 1.6L turbodiesel producing 105 hp. Not only does it achieve 52.26 mpg, but it also emits less than 120g of CO2 per kilometer. We certainly dig Volvo's idea here of applying simple, well known off-the-shelf ideas to a traditional automobile to get back every percentage of efficiency possible. It makes you wonder why most automakers don't offer a high-mileage variant of their less expensive IC-powered cars.
[Source: Volvo]
Gallery: Volvo C30 Efficiency
PRESS RELEASE:
Special version Volvo C30 below 4.5 l/100km
In parallel with Volvo Cars' focus on biofuels and hybrid technology, energy-effiency improvements are continuously being made to the company's conventional drivelines.
The special version of the Volvo C30 called Efficiency has a fuel consumption below 4.5l/100 km, and CO2 emission below 120 g/km.
Additionaly, Volvo Cars will introduce a Powershift gearbox that reduces fuel consumption by about 8 percent.
"We are firmly committed to lowering the fuel consumption of our conventional petrol and diesel engines. By doing this we will continuously reduce the overall CO2 emission level for our whole model range," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.
In 2008 Volvo Cars will introduce a Volvo C30 with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel (105 hp) that has a fuel consumption of less than 4.5 l/100 km.
Volvo Cars' experts have succeeded in reducing fuel consumption by more than 0.4 l/100 km from 4.9 l/100 km which is the official figure for the C30 1.6D that is available on the market today. Translated into CO2 emissions, this is a reduction from 129 g/km to below 120 g.
"This is a science of small adjustments and gains. Many systems and details in a car model have been dimensioned to suit all engine variants, from the smallest diesel to the most powerful petrol unit. This gives possibilities for fine adjustments to individual engine variants, particularly the smallest alternatives," says Magnus Jonsson.
A range of measures within four main areas
The fuel consumption reduction has been achieved through measures within four main areas:
- Aerodynamics. The Efficiency has reduced chassis height, a new rear roof spoiler, a new rear bumper, underbody panels, optimised engine cooling and aerodynamically optimised 16-inch wheel rims.
- Rolling resistance is reduced with a new generation of low friction tyres
- Higher gearing. The unique gearbox variant has revised gearing on 3rd, 4th and 5th gears
- Powertrain efficiency increase. This includes new low-friction transmission oil, optimisation of steering servo assistance and engine management optimisation.
Cash-back in Sweden
In Sweden, a conventional car with carbon dioxide emissions of 120 g/km or less is classified as an environmental car. This entitles private new-car buyers to a state-provided cash-back of 10,000 kronor (SEK).
"These measures are positive both for the customer and for the environment. The car owner gets a Volvo C30 with the very same sporty feel and appearance, with the added benefit of even better fuel economy and, in some countries, tax incentives. At the same time, emissions of carbon dioxide are cut by about 8 percent," explains Magnus Jonsson.
Powershift reduces consumption by 8 percent
In early 2008 Volvo Cars will introduce a new gearbox with a so-called Powershift feature.
Powershift cuts fuel consumption by about 8 percent compared with today's automatic transmissions. It will be available in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 with the 2-litre turbodiesel (2.0D) engine.
Put simply, one could say that Powershift consists of two manual gearboxes that work in parallel and are controlled by separate clutches. Since there is no disruption in torque delivery during the gearchanging process, gearshifts are instantaneous and the efficiency rating is higher.
Developments in petrol and diesel engines
The environment is in constant focus as Volvo Cars initiates continuous improvements in its other petrol and diesel engines. For petrol engines, the company's experts are examining how direct-injection technology can be further refined and they are also looking at even more advanced control of both the air/fuel mixture and valve control. "When it comes to diesel engines, it isn't fuel consumption that is the greatest challenge. Here the main challenge is to meet the increasingly tough demands on regulated emissions such as nitrogen oxides and particulates without jeopardising the diesel engine's already low fuel consumption," says Magnus Jonsson.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt 12:41PM (8/20/2007)
2008 US Ford Focus anyone? I seem to remember hearing ford's engineers spending gobs of energy making the 08 focus more fuel efficient.
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Mattias 1:41PM (8/20/2007)
The Euro Focus uses the same engine, the Mini uses the same engine, Peugeot, Citroen... The Citroen C4 with this engine and the EGS gearbox achieves the 120g/km without further modifications.
Don 2:37PM (8/20/2007)
Ugh. Ugly, underpowered, and ugly. Again.
Aetius 12:43PM (8/20/2007)
We just bought a 2003 Civic LX-G which has a 1.7L 115HP VTEC engine. It has enough pep to get around, seats five and gives 5.7L/100kms on the highway. If more people were to use cars like this, we'd make a difference. Buying a 4000lbs sedan with a 'hybrid' V8 is not the answer. And lets not even start at the fuzzy logic behind the concept of hybrid SUVs.
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Yggdrasilly 12:46PM (8/20/2007)
BTW, it's "eak," not "eek." As in:
"Eak out our imperfections with your...eek! A mouse!"
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Thunder 12:50PM (8/20/2007)
Actually it's eke.
Dan Roth 1:13PM (8/20/2007)
And here I thought it was eke.
Yggdrasilly 2:10PM (8/20/2007)
See, I knew that! Knew it all along! Just testin' ya, pal! Hahah! Good one, right?......Right?....
...nobody's buying this, are they?
gordon 12:51PM (8/20/2007)
No it's not, it's eke.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Eke
1up'd
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J.Crew 1:06PM (8/20/2007)
Audi is already doing this and Volvo is copying.
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Big 2.5 1:13PM (8/20/2007)
Volvo's achievement, while not exceptionally unique - look at the diesel Jetta and Golf - puts a different perspective on the claims of the Big 2.5 execs. If I remember correctly, 34 MPG seemed like unreasonably high for Big 2.5, something that they claimed was almost impossible to accomplish without astronomical price tag. Honda, VW and Volvo easily exceed 50 MPG and 34 MPG across their entire lineup seems like a today's reality for their cars. For Big 2.5 it sounded impossible even in 10 years. So much for the great domestic engineering.
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RACER X 1:26PM (8/20/2007)
lmfao
ford owns volvo....
Infinihertz 1:39PM (8/20/2007)
As I recall, most of the opposition wasn't to doing that for cars (though there was some). The initial automaker backlash was because the first bill that was proposed had light trucks (F-150/Silverado/Ram/etc.) count towards that 34mpg rating - which would mean that either they'd need to double the efficiency of their trucks (unlikely), or make all of their cars in the 50-70mpg range, since by volume they're about 50-50 right now. I think a 34mpg average for cars themselves is perfectly doable, and will likely happen from everyone, including the domestics, in < 10 years - if nothing else because the market will demand it.
MikeW 1:52PM (8/20/2007)
Well that upcoming double clutch transmission should have 6 forward gears.
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Calebe 2:57PM (8/20/2007)
That's great! oh wait, not for sale in the USA. Never mind.
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the marais 3:08PM (8/20/2007)
If the EU and North America could actually plan automobile emissions together, perhaps we also could reap the benefits of high MPG diesel. With the C30 being priced so expensively in the USA (only with a T5, geez), the diesel version may be something Generation Y'ers could get behind. Well, maybe if Lutz is right that advances in gasoline engines will close the gap with diesel in the next few years, this whole pining for diesel might be moot.
Until then, this is just so not fair.
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Evan 4:37PM (8/20/2007)
This does show that automakers can find a way to make more efficient cars without too much trouble - I think there's a public out there that would really want something like this. Small engines and boring tires do seem lame until you realize the guy sitting next to you in that bumper-to-bumper traffic is laughing all the way to the bank.
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musanti 6:42PM (8/20/2007)
yup eke, mouse over eak , and hold "apple" "ctrl" and press D... let go and up comes no entries found, try the same trick over eke, and you will see , its quicker than going to a dictionary in book form,, also it only works on a mac..
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rgseidl 6:48PM (8/20/2007)
@ Evan -
what this shows is that you need BOTH high fuel taxes and the prospect of stringent fleet average CO2 emissions (cp. CAFE squared) to get automotive execs to let their engineers focus this heavily on improving fuel economy. Raw horsepower is still a lot easier to sell than efficiency.
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jojo 7:06PM (8/20/2007)
I'd like to see this in the US. Volvos seem to be getting more and more horsepower these days. I just want a comfy, stylish ride with that's easy on the pump.
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