Volvo DRIVe diesels get automatic gearbox
There was a time, not very long ago, when seekers of economical cars had to wear a very hairy shirt to achieve silly mpg.
That meant giving up any semblance of comfort, size or luxury in your transport, and an automatic gearbox was a definite no-no. But not any more.
Automatic gearboxes have now become so good they manage to offer performance on a par with the best shifter of a manual ‘box, and there’s no longer a need to suffer at the petrol pumps with poor economy.
The new world of economical and efficient automatic gearboxes is rammed home by Volvo, with the announcement that they are going to offer auto ‘boxes on their eco range of diesel – DRIVe.
The diesel-engined S60, V60, V70 and S80 DRIVe models can now be optioned with an auto ‘box that returns exactly the same economy and emissions levels as its manual-shifting siblings.
Volvo has reduced friction in their Powershift ‘boxes, tweaked the software, kept the stop-start and made their electrical gubbins less power hungry. Which all means you can now let the car do the work instead of making your left leg ache in traffic.
‘Purists’ still complain that driving a car with an auto ‘box isn’t real driving, but the truth is that auto ‘boxes are now so good it’s a bit like insisting on using a twin-tub to do your washing instead of a modern automatic machine – just so you’re ‘involved’.
Volvo are starting to offer the DRIVe with Powershift ‘boxes from early 2012, with prices at £25,230 for the S60 DRIVe, £26,405 for the V60 DRIVe, £27,730 for the V70 DRIVe and £26,980 for the S80 DRIVe.
It’s worth the extra few bob.
Source: Volvo
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