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Volvo C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe gain extra attitude with R-Design

24 April 2009

• R-DESIGN joins the DRIVe range
• CO2 emissions in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 R-DESIGN 1.6D models have been cut by up to 10 percent to just 119 g/km
• Prices announced for the full DRIVe range

Volvo has strengthened its DRIVe range by combining the DRIVe technologies with its sports-inspired R-DESIGN bodykit to offer C30, S40 and V50 models with low levels of emissions and the highest levels of visual appeal. The new DRIVe R-DESIGN models are available to order now with prices starting at £17,240 for the C30 while the S40 and V50 start at £19,095 and £20,595 respectively.

The new C30, S40 and V50 1.6D DRIVe R-DESIGN all boast CO2-emissions of just 119 g/km, enabling customers to benefit from the low £35 per year tax band. The fuel consumption has also been improved and now offers up to 62.8 mpg on the combined cycle across all three models.

The R-DESIGN models feature special DRIVe wind deflectors and an R-DESIGN badge at the front, while the DRIVe badge announces the car's low emission levels at the rear. The chassis is also 10 mm lower. This lower ground clearance reduces fuel consumption at the same time as lowering the centre of gravity that, consequentially, has a positive effect on the car's handling.¹

These changes enable the cars to keep the full R-DESIGN bodykit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim and side skirts as well as roof and lip spoilers and 17-inch five spoke alloy wheels. The interior also carries all the familiar R-DESIGN features such as upholstery in cream leather and off black Flex-Tec, R-DESIGN centre stack and blue instrument dials.

DRIVe – the Volvo cars with the best environmental performance
Volvo's DRIVe badge is attached to cars that offer the very best environmental performance. All today's DRIVe models are equipped with a conventional diesel engine and manual gearbox optimised for extra-low fuel consumption.

The full DRIVe range now includes the XC60 crossover, V70 and XC70 premium estates, S80 executive saloon, C30 SportsCoupe, S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon. All the new DRIVe models are available to order now.

Emissions in the standard DRIVe versions of C30, S40 and V50 have been cut to only 104 g/km and fuel consumption improved so they offer up to 72.4 mpg thanks to the introduction of two intelligent new features. The first is a Start/Stop function that allows the engine to switch off when the car is at a standstill, whilst also maintaining comfort settings such as the air conditioning. When the driver puts the gear lever into neutral and releases the clutch while at a standstill, the engine switches off. The next time the driver depresses the clutch, the engine starts up again.

The second new feature is a regenerative charge facility. This charges the battery as soon as the driver releases the accelerator or brakes while a gear is engaged. By harnessing the car's kinetic energy, the alternator does not have to use diesel fuel as a power source to recharge the car’s battery.

The introduction of front-wheel drive and the new 2.4D engine to the XC60 crossover and XC70 premium estate sees CO2 figures tumble to 159 g/km and improve fuel consumption up to 47.1 mpg. The Volvo V70 and S80 DRIVe models now come equipped with the same powertrain – 1.6-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox – as the smaller C30, S40 and V50 but with specially tailored engine software and different ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears. The optimised powertrain is a major aid in helping Volvo's larger cars significantly cut their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions up to 57.6 mpg and 129 g/km respectively (preliminary figures).

Prices
Prices for the full DRIVe range are as follows:

	C30	S40	V50	S80	V70	XC70	XC60
DRIVe S	£15,745	£17,495	£18,845	N/A	N/A	N/A	£24,995
DRIVe SE	£17,245	£18,845	£20,345	£21,745*	£22,745*	£27,995	£26,495
DRIVe SE Lux	£18,745	£20,345	£21,845	N/A	N/A	£31,695	£28,995
R-DESIGN	£17,240	£19,095	£20,595	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

 * On the road price is an indication as it is based on preliminary data.

¹ The R-DESIGN variants don't feature the new Start/Stop technology or the majority of the exterior modifications currently on the C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe range which are designed to cut air drag, such as special body and underbody panels, spoilers.

Safety and Environmental commitment
Ever since Volvo Cars was founded in 1927, safety has been a cornerstone of the company philosophy and today, the company's aim is to offer cars that are safe for all people in all traffic situations. By 2020, Volvo's aim is that nobody should be killed, hurt or harmed in a Volvo. In 2009, Volvo celebrates the 50th anniversary of inventing the three-point safety belt, the single most important safety device in the motor car's 120-year history. Developed by Nils Bohlin, a Volvo engineer, in 1959, the three-point safety belt has saved over a million lives so far and has prevented or reduced the severity of injuries of many more. This invention was considered so important by Volvo that it did not patent the device leaving other manufacturers free to benefit from the clear safety enhancement the new belt offered.

Volvo Cars' commitment to environmental activities and continuous investment to help reduce its corporate carbon footprint goes far beyond lowering CO2 emissions. Volvo’s ‘Clean inside and out’ programme represents a holistic approach to the environmental impact of the car.  It focuses on health, resource utilisation and the ecological consequences of the production, use and disposal of the vehicle. Volvo ensures all new models are 85% recyclable and designed for 95% recoverability as well as introducing initiatives to ensure that vehicles are clean throughout their life.

Volvo Cars is also the only manufacturer in the car industry with a complete model range that features textiles that are so clean and non-toxic that they are certified according to the high Oeko-Tex standard. All parts containing nickel are tested to ensure nickel leakage is kept to a minimum. In addition, all leather used in Volvo car interiors has been treated in a chromium-free tanning process, using either natural or synthetic tanning materials. Finally, the Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC60 have been recommended by Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association.

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