Volvo Cars to Offer Flexifuel Models

Catalytic converters like the International catalytictorque.
converter have played major roles in reducing carbonThere were modifications made on the five Volvo
dioxide emission. However automakers did not stopmodels in order to make them E85 capable. Like for
there they continued developing new technologiesinstance, their fuel hoses together with the valves
that will further eliminate, if not reduce the emissionand gaskets have been altered to withstand ethanol's
of harmful gas.corrosive properties. The injection valves have been
And speaking of new technologies, Volvo Cars willtoughened and designed for E85. Likewise, the
introduce in the first half of 2008 its five-cylinder 2.5on-board software was also calibrated for E85. The
liter turbocharged Flexifuel engine that producesengine management system also automatically senses
200hp. The new Flexifuel engine particularly a 2-literthe current mixture of fuel in the tank and basing on
variant is to be equipped on the V70 and the S80.that will employ the necessary combustion process.
Five Volvo models namely C30, S40, V50, V70, andThe fuel consumption when running on E85 is 10.31
S80 are to be equipped with one or two Flexifuel100km (for the C30 1.8F), 10..41/100km (for the S40
engines. According to Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice1.8F and V50 1.8F), 11.61/100km (for V70 2.0F
President Brand, Business and Product Strategy atbeginning figure), 11.31/100km (S80 2.0F beginning
Volvo Cars, "Flexifuel has considerable potential infigure).
larger models too. That is why we plan toBioethanol is a renewable fuel that comes from
continuously expand the implementation of thisbiomass sources such as wheat, corn, sugar-beet,
technology over the coming years. It's a move thatand cellulose. The usage of E85 orthe combination of
is being driven by the extended availability of biofuelsbioethanol with 15 percent petrol doesn't mean that
throughout Europe. Biofuel standardisation andthere won't be anymore carbon dioxide emission.
guidelines for sustainable production within the EUThere would still be CO2 emission but the type that
would make the fuel's development even smoother."is regarded as part of nature's own carbon cycle.
The Felxifuel variants for the V70 and S80 will beVolvo Cars is planning to launch its Flexifuel cars in a
made available by the end of 2007 equipped with anumber of markets including Sweden, France,
four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. The 2.0F hasNorway, Finland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands,
been altered to run on E85 and to produce 145hpSpain, Britain, Ireland, Belgium, and Switzerland. The
and 185 Nm of torque.Swedish automaker is also planning to make its
For the S40, V50, and C30 Flexifuel variants, they willFlexifuel cars available to countries across Europe.
be given a four-cylinder 1.8 liter naturally aspiratedVolvo is hoping to sell around 10,000 of its Flexfuel
engine. The 1.8F will produce 125hp and 165 Nm ofcars for this year.