Auto wisdom has it that manual cars deliver better fuel economy than automatics. Leave it to Swedish automaker Volvo offer an example of disproof. They are, after all, already a leader in the effort among European automakers to reduce CO₂ emissions. Their latest success with delivering automatic fuel economy on par with manual fuel economy, however, really proves that if there is a will, there is a way.

"For the first time ever, we have managed to bring the fuel consumption in variants with automatic gearbox down to the same level as in the manual variations," says Peter Mertens, Senior VP R&D, Volvo Car Corporation. "An impressive achievement by our powertrain experts."¹

Among the many enhancements Volvo made to existing technology in order to bring what was previously classified as a nothing more than a pipe dream into reality are reduced friction between elements within the transmission gearbox, the addition of a start-stop system, and energy-optimized electrical systems. And, the ground-breaking new possibility to combine four-cylinder, 1.6-liter diesel engines with the six-speed Powershift gearbox is now available on four new Volvo models, including the Volvo S60, Volvo V60, Volvo V70 and Volvo S80.

Volvo's efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions are, however, not limited only to diesel models. Rather, they are taking strides to improve their petrol-powered lineup, too. For example, by revamping the four-cylinder, 1.6-liter T3 engine available on the Volvo S60 and Volvo V60, the automaker's engine gurus have successfully brought fuel consumption down to approximately 135 g/km.

To learn more about Volvo's "DRIVe Towards Zero", from future technological breakthroughs to new Volvo launches, be sure to stay tuned. And, remember, you can explore our entire lineup of new and used cars both online and in person at 4375 LINCOLN Ave, Lisle IL.

Source: ¹https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?mediaid=41197