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Volvo updates DRIVe eco range

  • V70 and S80 get the DRIVe treatment
  • Both cars emit less than 120g/km CO2
  • V70, XC70 and S80 also get safety updates

Written by Parkers Published: 14 April 2011 Updated: 1 February 2017

Volvo has added another two DRIVe models to its range, bringing the total number of cars emitting less than 120g/km to seven.

The latest cars to get the eco treatment are the top-selling V70 and the larger S80 saloon. Both are now more efficient than ever thanks to fuel-saving and emissions-busting technology.

But what does this mean for the motorist? Well, emissions are down to an impressive 119g/km CO2 for both cars. That means 13% BIK taxation liability and an annual road tax bill of just £30 each year. Fuel economy for both cars is 62.8mpg.

Both cars get the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine found in other DRIVe models - albeit pumped up to 113bhp - plus stop/start, brake energy recuperation systems, low rolling resistance tyres and precise fuel management. A six-speed manual gearbox is the final piece of the puzzle.

The firm has also seen fit to add further upgrades to the V70 and S80 as well as the XC70. All get a new city safety pack including collision and pedestrian detection systems and an upgraded stereo system, while the D3 and D5 engines have been tweaked for better efficiency.

The D3 engine is now a 2.0-litre unit (instead of 2.4-litre) and produces 164bhp, while emitting between 137g/km and 144g/km CO2 depending on which car it's fitted to. Fuel economy ranges from 57.7mpg to 51mpg, depending again on the car you opt for.

The D5 unit has been upgraded by Volvo to produce 215bhp (up 10bhp), while fuel economy has improved by 8%. This means CO2 emissions of between 134g/km and 179g/km, and fuel economy of between 55mpg and 42mpg.

There is also a pair of new paint colours, LED indicators for the wing mirrors, redesigned headlights, new wheel designs and some interior tweaks for all three cars.

On-the-road prices start from £25,995 for the V70, £25,245 for the S80 and £28,815 for the XC70.