DRIVe heading Down Under

Volvo has confirmed it will launch DRIVe low-consumption, low-emission models Down Under. In fact, contrary to the line it was taking at last month's Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), the Swedish brand now has plans to launch at least one DRIVe model in 2009.

DRIVe is Volvo's equivalent of VW's BlueMotion. In effect, the label signifies the lowest fuel consumption, and therefore lowest emitting, version of the model range in question. Volvo unveiled C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe models at September's Paris Motor Show. All three variants are expected on sale across Europe by the end of 2008.

It's the three-door C30 DRIVe that will come Down Under, however. Confirmed by Volvo Australia boss Alan Desselss, the 1.6-litre turbodiesel C30 will be on sale late in the first half of 2009. Desselss confirmed the timetable for the DRIVe C30 at last weekend's S80 T6 local launch.

According to Volvo Australia's Technical Manager, David Pickett, DRIVe was a surprise hit for the brand at AIMS.

"It [DRIVe] was received very, very positively -- next to XC60 [SUV], the next level of enquiry was arguably C30 DRIVe," Pickett told the Carsales Network.

"The one thing that might stymie some of that enthusiasm is the car is available in manual only, but certainly we believe that that car found a 'calling' at the show. We knew it would get a response, but we were actually quite surprised how many people were interested in the DRIVe," Pickett explained.

"We are [now] working towards having DRIVe 1.6D C30 [into local dealers] in the first half of next year," Pickett confirmed. However, he cautioned: "Given the car's class setting performance it's been received fantastically in Europe, so we might struggle volume-wise initially to get the numbers we want."

The C30 DRIVe boasts consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 4.4L/100km and 115g/km respectively. Like its Volkswagen BlueMotion equivalents (and not forgetting Audi's 'e' models), the DRIVe model features a range of changes focussed on optimising overall efficiency --aerodynamics are tweaked, rolling resistance reduced and gearing changed.

In the case of the C30, the 1.6D DRIVe turbodiesel features revised engine cooling and power steering systems and even gets special low friction gearbox oil. The car is lowered 10mm, it gets a blanked-off grille and new front spoiler, special aero wheels with low rolling resistance Michelin tyres, revised third-through-fifth gear ratios and underbody panels for better airflow.

Volvo insiders described the C30 DRIVe as a "toe in the water" but opined the DRIVe technologies would eventually become "mainstream" production for the company. They would not comment on projected pricing for the DRIVe model.

"At this stage we're not looking at S40 [or V50 for Australia]," Pickett continued.

"This is something new for us... C30 we think is going to have the best hit from the volume we'll get access to -- rather than spreading [a small] volume across three models. Try C30, see how it goes and as the volume frees up in Europe obviously there are opportunities for us down the track," he said.

Pickett says the company believes the one-of-a-kind styling of the C30 will also help the cause.

"Somebody who's buying this type of car wants to make a statement from an environmental point of view as well as fuel consumption -- without driving an ugly car... We think it [the C30] ticks a few boxes."

And DRIVe may not be the only alternate Volvo Australia sees in 2009. According to boss Desselss, the company also has Flexifuel (E85) versions of the C30 and other models under evaluation.

DRIVe and Flexifuel models will feature across a wider number of the maker's model range, insiders say, ahead of the company's introduction of direct-injection petrol engines in 2011 and its first plug-in hybrid models in 2012.

Earlier this year, Volvo Car Corporation signed an agreement with Swedish electricity provider, Vattenfall, Saab Automobile, the ElectroTechnological Centre and the Swedish government to cooperate on a "broad-based joint research venture to spearhead the development of plug-in hybrid cars".

To comment on this article click here