- Volvo Cars' European diesel sales up from 20 percent to
more than 50 percent
- New diesel engine generation
- Annual target of 85,000 five-cylinder diesel
engines
- Volvo Car Australia predicts XC90 D5 to lead sales
volume
Volvo Cars is rapidly gaining market share of the European
diesel segment. When production of the first in-house developed
diesel engine started in 2001, the proportion of diesel engines in
Volvo's European sales figures was just more than 20 percent.
In 2005, Volvo surpassed the 50 percent mark. The next step is
to further boost the competitiveness with the introduction of a
new, more powerful and cleaner generation of five-cylinder
turbodiesel engines.
Volvo Cars' five-cylinder diesel range now encompasses three
engines with power outputs from 94kW to 136kW with peak torque
between 300Nm and 400Nm.
Volvo Car Australia will introduce the D5 high-output (136kW,
400Nm) five-cylinder engine in the XC90 D5 in September. The
all-new S80 D5 will soon follow in November.
Consistent increase
Highly effective and efficient particulate filters, one of the
cornerstones in Volvo's new-generation engine upgrades, give the
diesel engine additional environmental benefits. What is more,
diesel engines are becoming increasingly dynamic and more
comfortable to drive.
The attributes of a modern diesel engine - such as the Volvo D5
- are not limited to low-rev torque and fuel efficiency. The D5
engine in the XC90 D5 will return on average 9.0 L/100km and cruise
with quiet comfort. Diesel is no longer a dirty word nor is it a
dirty fuel. Volvo claims the emissions of CO and HC from a modern
diesel engine are as low or even lower than a modern petrol
engine.
The XC90 D5 is equipped with a particulate filter which reduces
tailpipe particulate matter by as much as 95 percent as compared
with an older diesel engine with out a particulate filter.
Diesel engine preference by Australian consumers is expect to
increase at an accelerated rate. Most of this swing in growth will
occur primarily in the sub-$45k passenger car segment and in the
SUV segment. In the premium SUV segment, diesel models are
presently in vogue.
Year to date, 37 percent of sales in the premium SUV segment are
diesel models. This percentage of sales has been improving at a
healthy rate in the short term - 26.5 percent in 2004, 29 percent
in 2005 and 37 percent in 2006 (year to date).
Volvo Car Australia expects the XC90 D5 to quickly become the
most popular model in the XC90 range.
80 percent in Europe
Diesel popularity is most prominent in the large-car segments,
which includes premium SUV. In the premium segment for SUVs in
Europe, diesel accounts for more than 80 percent of sales.
Improved power and torque
Volvo new-generation diesel engine has increased power and torque.
The most powerful diesel variant - D5 - produces an additional
16kW, with the peak output rising from 120kW to 136kW. Peak torque
lifts to 400Nm.
Accompanying the new D5 diesel engine in XC90 D5 is a six-speed
automatic with Geartronic manual shift capability. This compact
six-speed automatic also accompanies the 4.4-litre V8 in the XC90
V8.
Increased volumes
Production of Volvo's new generation turbodiesel engines started at
Volvo Cars engine factory in Skovde, Sweden in mid-May 2005.
Volvo first-generation diesel engine reached a total
manufacturing volume of 305,000 since the engine's introduction in
June 2001.
Volvo is targeting a total product volume of its
second-generation to double during the next four years and exceed
600,000 units.