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Volvo C30, S40, V50, Others To Go Flex-Fuel
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Volvo
Volvo Cars will be offering several of its European models with flex-fuel option. Flex-fuel vehicles can use ethanol as well as conventional petrol (gasoline).
Nov 2006, IDnr. 866 - Volvo Cars is launching FlexiFuel models powered by renewable bioethanol on several European markets this autumn. The green model range is also being extended and even Volvo’s new C30 (pictured) will be offered with eco-optimised FlexiFuel power.
“Interest in ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe,” says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President Market, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. “We are therefore expanding our range with additional models on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo’s FlexiFuel cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.” “It’s very encouraging that the market is expanding and that political initiatives are being taken,” continues Gerry Keaney. France has announced that the country will build 500 fuel stations for E85 (a blend of 85% renewable ethanol and 15% petrol) in 2007. The fuel will be produced locally from agricultural products. There are at present 23 plants producing ethanol in Europe and this figure is expected to rise to just over 60 in 2008. All told, about 1.8 million litres of ethanol are produced annually within the EU, primarily from sugar-beet and various grains. Capacity is expected to increase threefold by 2008. Three of Volvo’s nine models – the C30, S40 and V50 – are now available in an environmentally optimised FlexiFuel alternative. They are powered by a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine producing 125 hp. Bioethanol and petrol are both filled in the same 55 litre tank. The fuel hoses, valves and gaskets have all been modified to withstand the more corrosive properties of ethanol. The injection valves have been reinforced and are also larger, since more fuel is injected into the engine because of the lower energy content of E85 compared with petrol. Moreover, the software calibration is updated for ethanol power. The engine management system precisely monitors the fuel mixture in the fuel tank and automatically adjusts both injection and ignition to suit. Volvo Cars predicts sales of 7,000 FlexiFuel cars in 2007. Most are expected to be sold in Sweden. Our take? Why should the Europeans have all the credit for driving beautiful, fuel-efficient, powerful, and environmentally-friendly cars. Ship them to the U.S. as well.
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