Volvo's fuel saving start/stop technology which reduces emissions of CO2 by up to 8% has, for the first time, been combined with the six-speed Geartronic transmission. This innovative and industry-leading development delivers the first four models in the Volvo range that can be ordered with an automatic gearbox as well as benefiting from start/stop technology.
The start/stop technology is currently standard in all of Volvo's large cars fitted with manual transmission (except T5) and this is the first time it has been offered on an automatic gearbox. Initially, it is available together with the 2.0-litre D3 turbo diesel, cutting CO2 emissions by 10g/km - translating into a decrease in fuel consumption of up to 3.6 miles per gallon.
To begin with, this new technology is available as standard in the four of Volvo's models, the all-new S60 and V60, V70 and S80. All four models are available to order now and attract no price increase for this added technology and beneficial decrease in CO2 and fuel consumption.
"Continuously reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our DRIVe Towards Zero emission strategy. It is the most effective way to cut CO2 throughout our model range in the short term. This work is running parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President, Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.
Combining start/stop with automatic gearbox is a larger technology challenge than the manual start/stop version already available in most Volvo models. Without a signal from the clutch pedal as used in manual transmissions with start/stop, the engine must restart instantly when the driver moves his or her right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Swift Response
"We have focused on achieving the same response as you get with today's conventional automatic gearbox. The action is so seamless that it feels like the car starts accelerating immediately when the engine restarts," explains Peter Mertens.
The technology uses brake pressure measurement to trigger when to stop and start the engine. The start/stop system is programmed to shut down the engine immediately when the car reaches a standstill (0 mph).
An electric pump keeps oil pressure up in the automatic gearbox while the engine is stopped. The system also includes an upgraded starter motor to cope with the increased number of starts.
Downsized five-cylinder engine
The two-litre D3 produces 163 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The five-cylinder 2-litre turbo diesel was introduced in 2010 in the all-new Volvo S60 and is now available throughout Volvo Car Corporation's model range.
The five-cylinder D3 is, in principle, the same engine as the well-established 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption.
The piezo-electric fuel injectors minimise consumption with exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure which results in extremely efficient combustion. As announced with the recent Model Year 12 enhancements, in order to increase the car's drivability, the turbocharger has been fine-tuned to provide high torque from low revs.
Facts and Figures
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (EU Combined) with automatic gearbox:
Model | With Start/Stop - CO2 / MPG | Previously - CO2 / MPG |
S60 | 142 / 52.3 | 152 / 48.7 |
V60 | 149 / 49.6 | 159 / 47.1 |
V70 | 149 / 49.6 | 159 / 47.1 |
S80 | 148 / 50.4 | 158 / 47.1 |
