Volvo Adds Fuel-Efficient DRIVe Variants to S60 and V60 Range

Volvo is expanding its S60 and V60 lineup in Europe with the introduction of more fuel efficient DRIVe variants. Both versions use the upgraded 1.6-liter diesel engine that complies with the Euro 5 standard and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The S60 and V60 DRIVe models also benefit from the use of a start/stop system, with the end result being low fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

The company said the S60 consumes on average 4.3 lt of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers equal to (54.7 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 114 g/km, while the station wagon model returns 4.5 lt/100km (52.2 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km.

The addition of these two eco-friendly models means Volvo will have a range of seven models with CO2 emissions below 120 g/km, three of which dip under the 100 g/km mark. The Volvo range also include DRIVe versions of the C30, S40 and V50 models, with the V70 and S80 to join the family this spring. Both will have emissions of 119 g/km.

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Geneva Preshow: Jeep Adds New 3.0-liter V6 Turbo Diesel to Grand Cherokee Range

Given that over forty per cent of all cars sold in Europe are diesel-powered, any brand that wants to be successful in the market must have diesel options in its range. Following the presentation of its new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel on the Chrysler 300's European clone, the Lancia Thema, the Fiat Group is now introducing the oil-burner to the Jeep Grand Cherokee range for Europe and other diesel markets around the world.

The new V6 diesel engine is built by VM Motori and has been developed together with Fiat Powertrain, which is a subsidiary of the Fiat Group. The 3.0-liter unit features Fiat's MultiJet II system which enables up to eight injections per cycle, with the possibility of managing the two main injections in a single modular profile (IRS – Injection Rate Shaping). It is also fitted with a single Garrett VGT 2056 turbocharger with variable turbine geometry.

In the Grand Cherokee, the 3.0-liter V6 diesel is offered in two guises, the most powerful of which produces 241HP at 4,000 rpm and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of peak torque at 1,800-2,800 rpm, with the company claiming a 10 percent gain in power and eight percent more torque than the engine it replaces.

Despite the improved performance, Jeep said fuel economy for the 241HP version returns 8.3 lt/100km (equal to 28.4 mpg US) on the combined European cycle, an improvement of 17 percent over the prior diesel engine. CO2 emissions (are also reduced by 17 percent, now at 218 g/km.

Jeep will also offer a lower-output version of the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel rated at 190HP at 4,000 rpm and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) of peak torque available from 1,600 to 2,800 rpm. The low-output version of the turbo diesel engine will be standard on Laredo models and optional on the Limited

The new 3.0-liter turbo diesel variants of the Grand Cherokee will receive their world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next week and be available in Europe by the end of the first half of 2011.

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BMW Confirms New "i" Sub-Brand, will Launch with i3 EV City Car and i8 Plug-in Hybrid Sports Coupe in 2013

It's been a long time in the making, but the BMW Group today confirmed its new sub-brand called "i", with which it will market a new lineup of eco-friendly vehicles including regular and plug-in hybrids, and pure electric models as well as an additional range of mobility services.

The first models to be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 are the BMW i3 and i8. The BMW i3 is an all-electric city car, which was previously known as the Megacity Vehicle, while the i8, is a plug-in hybrid sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept study unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW said both models are based on a new construction concept called LifeDrive that makes use of an aluminium chassis to house the powertrain, while the passenger cell consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). In addition, both the i3 and i8 will be manufactured at the firm's Leipzig plant and will share the same component sets for the electric motors, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

“Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems," explains Klaus Draeger, BMW Board member responsible for development. "We used the innovative architecture and CFRP to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power.”

While BMW did not disclose further details in today's announcement, the company recently revealed that the 1-Series ActiveE's electric synchronous motor with 168HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque will be incorporated in the i3.

As for the i8, it is likely to combine the Vision ED concept model's 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a variant of the i3's electric motor. We'll remind you that the 2+2 seatd design study featured a 1.5-liter diesel engine and two electric motors for a total system output of 328 horsepower and a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 4.8 seconds with a combined fuel economy of 62.6 mpg US.

The BMW Group will also make use of the 'i' sub-brand to expand its range of mobility services. In addition to services developed in-house, the company is pursuing collaborations with partner companies.

The Bavarian automaker said that New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. Regarding the partnership, BMW's Ian Robertson said, “I am thrilled to announce that we have just signed our first strategic partnership with My City Way. As a mobile app, My City Way provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course.”

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