Volvo DRIVe Preview
Volvo has also equipped all DRIVe cars with a secondary battery to ensure that the main battery doesn't get too drained. The secondary battery also ensures smooth start-up of the car - the stereo isn't interrupted when the car is restarting for instance, which goes some way to explain why the start/stop system feels so unobtrusive. Auto start/stop can also be disabled using the DRIVe button on the centre console, although I can't see why you'd buy a car with this feature and then disable it.
The main battery is rated for 175,000 start/stop cycles, while there's also a regenerative charge feature, which will charge the battery without a detrimental effect on fuel consumption. Whenever the accelerator and brake pedals are released with the car in gear, the kinetic energy will recharge the battery. As economical and environmentally friendly as this system may be, I'm not so sure that encouraging drivers to coast in gear is a good idea, after all one of the basic principles of driving is that you should always be either accelerating or braking, not coasting.
Volvo has also made some aerodynamic changes to the DRIVe models in order to get the best possible fuel economy. The C30 for instance has modifications to the underside of the vehicle, including a new rear diffuser. But the most obvious aero enhancement is the new Diamond Cut Libra wheel design. The new wheels have a completely flat face, with no dishing, which should reduce drag and therefore improve fuel economy. However, if you're not sold on the styling of the new wheels, Volvo will offer a more traditional alloy as a no-cost option.
If you like the idea of DRIVe economy but want a car that still looks a bit sporty and stylish, you'll be glad to know that Volvo's R-Design trim package is also available on DRIVe models. R-Design adds a full body kit, 17in five spoke alloys, two-tone leather interior and blue instrument dials. You're looking at about a two grand premium over the basic car, but if I'd decided I wanted a DRIVe Volvo, I'd go the R-Design route without a moment's hesitation. The only issue is that Volvo doesn't offer auto start/stop on the R-Design DRIVe cars.
The C30, S40 and V50 are all available with the 1.6D engine, with or without start/stop technology. Without start/stop the CO2 emissions rise from 104g/km to 119g/km, but you'll still get away with a £35 per year road tax bill. The XC60 and XC70 DRIVe models with their 2.4D engines produce 159g/km, which puts them just below the 160g/km limit that many company car policies employ.
I'm still not convinced that many consumers are basing a car purchase on CO2 emissions, but what I am convinced of is that people are basing their purchase decision on economics. The fact is that lower emission cars are cheaper to tax and run, since the government has instituted a taxation policy that punishes the so called "polluter" drivers. Strangely though, this same government sees fit to put no taxation on aviation fuel, despite the fact that air travel produces more harmful CO2 than any other form of transport - but I digress.
With the DRIVe range potential buyers have a wide choice of models and spec levels, all with impressive fuel economy and low emissions. It would also appear that DRIVe is just the beginning, since Volvo was keen to point out that the company is working on hybrid technology, and has an ultimate goal of a zero emissions car. For now though, if you're looking for something a little different, with low total cost of ownership, the DRIVe range is well worth considering.
