VOLVO has announced the latest step in its push towards zero emissions strategy with the launch of an automatic gearbox option in four Volvo DRIVe models.
It means that DRIVe versions of the S60, V60, V70 and S80 can for the first time be ordered with Volvo's Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
And buyers of these cars won't compromise on environmental care or economy as the auto models deliver exactly the same fuel economy and emissions as the manual transmission variants.
Most frugal is the S60 DRIVe automatic boasting Combined cycle fuel consumption of 65.7 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of just 114g/km. The other three autos all average 62.8mpg and have a CO2 figure of 119g/km.
Production will commence in mid-February and prices start at £25,230 for the S60 DRIVe, £26,405 for the V60 version, £27,730 for the V70 and £26,980 for the S80 variant.
Volvo says the low consumption and emission levels are the result of a number of techno improvements including reduced friction between gearbox components, modified engine and gearbox software, a start-stop system and the use of a 115bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine.
The company’s 'DRIVe Towards Zero' also includes improvements on the petrol engines.
By optimising the 150bhp 1.6-litre T3 unit, which is available in the S60 and V60, Volvo's engineers have brought fuel consumption down to 49.0mpg in the S60 - previously 42.8mpg - which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 135 g/km, a reduction of 17g/km.
And the Powershift transmission can now be specified with the T3, reducing an entry level price of an auto S60 to £24,270.
The S60 and V60 T3 Powershift will be available to order early 2012 with first deliveries in April.
Volvo vice president Peter Mertens said: "Keeping the CO2 emissions below 140 grams is essential since this is a level used by many fleet customers. We have managed to do this in the T3 version through a number of small, significant improvements.”
Volvo outperformed Europe's eight largest car manufacturers in 2010 by cutting overall CO2 emissions by no less than nine per cent.
And Mertens added: "This excellent result is the outcome of a dedicated environmental focus under our "DRIVe Towards Zero" banner. One third of our research budget is earmarked for reducing CO2 emissions.
“Our new, upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine range, which consists solely of four-cylinder engines, will ensure that we continue to beat our toughest competitors when it comes to fuel economy."