Volvo will expand green ‘Efficiency’ brand

Despite a lack of incentives outside its home country, Volvo has lately turned its focus to biofuels and hybrid technology. We first wrote about the C30 Efficiency (pictured) in August, then Volvo debuted the Re-Charge concept at the Frankfurt motor show. Just a few days ago the company announced its bioethanol STCC race car. Volvo is now looking to expand its green efforts throughout its lineup, with a few exceptions.

The C30 Efficiency, due to arrive in the UK next year, will sport a 1.6L diesel that emits only 119g/km CO2, down from 129g/km due to changes in gear ratios and aerodynamics, reports BusinessCar. Fuel consumption will be a rather excellent 62.8mpg imperial (52.2mpg US or 4.5L/100km). Volvo also announced that it is planning Flexfuel versions of its entire range, with the exception of the XC70, XC90, and C30. As we reported in our original C30 Efficiency story (linked above), Volvo parent company Ford’s new Powershift dual-clutch transmission will also be a likely part of the new line, as it yields 8% greater efficiency than conventional automatic transmissions. Also in the works is a new 2.0L turbodiesel, which could see use in other Efficiency-branded models. For its petrol engines Volvo is working on direct-injection technology, which should increase both efficiency and power, as well as new variable valve timing and air-fuel mixture techniques.

Sweden has recently come under fire for its love-affair with big, polluting cars. Volvo and Saab, the country’s two biggest domestic car makers, are the primary culprits. As a result, Sweden’s prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has considered a shift from taxing cars to taxing their emissions. This, combined with the EU’s toughening stance on greenhouse gas emissions, is likely the impetus for Volvo’s recent two-footed jump into greener automotive pastures.