New car news

09 September 2008 - 10:00

A bunch of DRIVe

These days, you ain't nobody as a manufacturer if you ain't don't got a 'green' range in your line-up. Or something.

We've seen Bluemotion, Greenline, Ecomotive, Ecoughsyrup, Econetic, and now here's DRIVe - Volvo's shot at the high-mpg, low-emissions formula.

DRIVe - which we can only assumed is pronounced 'drivvy' - will be available on the 1.6-litre diesel versions of the C30, S40 and V50... and the results look impressive.

Through the tried-and-tested formula of lowered ride height, slipperier aero, longer gearing and low-resistance tyres, Volvo has managed to squeeze 64.2mpg out of the C30, and 62.8mpg out of the S40 and V50.

CO2 emissions? 115g/km for the C30, and 118g/km for the S40 and V50, which spells seriously good news for your tax disc.

The DRIVe models will go on sale in the UK in January of next year, with a price premium of between £120-£360 over the non-greenified car.

Given the price of fuel at the moment, you'll probably recoup that loss in one quick trip to the supermarket.