Automotive News
Volvo on Monday said it will introduce a green C30 "Efficiency" model powered by a 104-horsepower 1.6-liter turbodiesel at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, the company's U.S. spokesman said there are no plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S. "at this point."Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston said: "We will not be doing anything unless this engine platform can work in all 50 states. The rest of the world gets this before our market."
Johnston said the most promising "potential" markets for the C30 Efficiency would likely be in such states as New York and California.
The C30 Efficiency gets a reduced chassis height, a new rear roof spoiler, new rear bumper, underbody panels, "optimized" engine cooling and 16-inch wheels. The gearbox has also been revised, Volvo said. The changes squeeze out slightly better fuel economy. The C30 Efficiency gets a combined 52 mpg, while the current Volvo C30 1.6D gets a combined 50 mpg. The C30 Efficiency has reduced C02 emissions "to below 120 g/km" (193 grams per mile); the current Volvo C30 emits 129 g/km of C02.
Volvo's home office said that, in addition to rolling out the C30 Efficiency, it will also show off a new diesel Powershift transmission for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 at Frankfurt. The Powershift gearbox is made up of two clutches that work in parallel. The automaker said this setup results in no disruption in torque delivery during the gear shifting process, thus "delivering improved fuel consumption compared with a standard automatic gearbox."
Volvo explained that the two latest green efforts help to round out its green slate, which includes biofuels and hybrid technology. "Volvo is also making energy-efficiency improvements to conventional drivetrains," the company said in a statement.
Volvo also said it will "reveal future hybrid plans and new safety technologies" at Frankfurt, too. It did not give any details, however.
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