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Volvo has applied its fuel-saving start/stop technology to vehicles with automatic transmission for the first time.
The system, which can reduce CO 2
emissions by up to 8%, has been combined with the six-speed Geartronic transmission.
The start/stop technology is currently standard in all of Volvo’s large cars fitted with manual transmission (except the 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 CO 2
emissions by 10 g/km – translating into an improvement in fuel consumption of up to 3.6 miles per gallon.
To begin with, this new technology is available as standard in four of Volvo’s models, the all-new S60 and V60 , V70 and S80. All four models are available to order now for no extra price premium.
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.
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.
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.
New figures for fuel consumption and CO 2
emissions (for the EU combined cycle) with automatic gearbox are as follows: S60 – 142 g/km CO 2
, 52.3 mpg; V60 and V70 – 149 g/km CO 2
, 49.6 mpg; S80 – 148 g/km CO 2
, 50.4 mpg.
