Volvo is one of a growing list of companies that offer the fuel-saving and CO2-reducing, especially in city traffic, automatic start/stop system in most of their models. Now, the Swedish company has become one of the few that offer the system in cars equipped with an automatic gearbox as well.
Initially available with the five cylinder, 2.0-liter D3 turbo diesel engine, the system reduces fuel consumption by 0.4 lt/100 km and CO2 emissions by 10 g/km. It will be available from early September in the D3 six-speed auto gearbox versions of the S60, the V60, V70 and the S80.
“Continuously reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our DRIVe Towards Zero emissions. It’s the most efficient way to cut CO2 emissions throughout our model range in the short term” said Volvo’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Peter Mertens.
Combining an auto start/stop system with an automatic transmission is more of a challenge than with a manual because the engine must restart the second the driver moves his foot from the brake pedal.
Volvo’s system uses brake pressure management to determine when to activate and deactivate the system, which is pre-programmed to shut down the engine when the car stops completely. Furthermore, an electric pump keeps gearbox oil pressure up when the engine is stopped, and the system features an improved starter engine.
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