The 50 to 100 of you out there who want a biofuel Volvo in the UK, get ready

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Volvo V70.

Volvo announced this week that four new biofuel models are coming to the UK, including FlexiFuel versions of the C30, S40, V50 and new V70. The E85-ready C30 SportsCoupe, S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon will start to be delivered in July and a FlexiFuel V70 estate will be available by the end of the year. The 1.8 FlexiFuel model delivering 125PS is now available in the C30, S40, and V50. A 145PS 4 cylinder Flexifuel engine will be made available in the V70. The cheapest of the bunch is the C30 1.8F SE3 at £17,795

Volvo says they expect to sell just 50-100 FlexiFuel cars in the UK this year. Compare that to 7,000 worldwide. Press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Volvo]
VOLVO BOOSTS UK RANGE WITH FOUR NEW MODELS

• FlexiFuel versions of Volvo C30, S40, V50 and all new V70
• Broadest bioethanol range in the UK

Volvo is launching four all-new, innovative models into the UK to reinforce the company's long-standing commitment to environmental care and its desire to extend customer choice.

FlexiFuel engines that run on E85 bioethanol fuel1 are now available to order in the C30 SportsCoupe, S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon, with first customer deliveries in July. A FlexiFuel engine will also be introduced in the all new Volvo V70 estate, arriving in the UK before the end of the year.

As a renewable fuel, bioethanol is better for the environment than traditional fuels2, emitting up to 80% less fossil carbon dioxide emissions than petrol. Offering FlexiFuel in four separate models – more than any other manufacturer – puts Volvo at the forefront of eco-friendly driving in the UK.

"We're proud to be one of the first car companies in the UK to be offering FlexiFuel models," said Stuart Kerr, managing director, Volvo Car UK. "Bioethanol reduces man's dependency on fossil fuels and Volvo's FlexiFuel programme makes a vital contribution to the company's strategy of environmental sustainability."

The Volvo C30 SportsCoupe, S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon FlexiFuel models are based on the 1.8-litre, four-cylinder normally aspirated petrol engine producing 125PS, with five-speed manual transmission. The V70 FlexiFuel will be powered with a 145PS four-cylinder petrol unit. The FlexiFuel range will start at just £17,795 for the C30 1.8F SE3.

Based on the current refuelling infrastructure4 and lack of Government incentives for E85 as an alternative fuel, Volvo recognises that demand in the UK for its FlexiFuel models is limited. Globally, Volvo Cars predicts sales of 7,000 FlexiFuel cars in 2007. Most are expected to be sold in Sweden, with the UK accounting for 50-100 units.