Volvo C30 “Efficiency” - Design the Right Way - August 25th, 2007
Initial reports suggest that the Volvo C30 diesel hatchback, set to be unveiled next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will achieve an impressive 52.26 mpg by doing nothing more than taking common sense design choices. The improvements include:
- Refinements to the software that manages the engine.
- The use of low-friction transmission oil.
- Selection of tires with low rolling resistance.
- Opting for higher gearing (in third, fourth, and fifth.)
- Concentrating on aerodynamics by smoothing the body, reducing the height, adding a spoiler to the rear of the room, improving the back bumper, and employing underbody panels.
Under the hood there’s a 1.6-liter turbo diesel that will produce 105 horsepower. Volvo is so confident of the vehicle’s performance it’s even listing the car as the C30 Efficiency.
None of these modifications constitute rocket science and could be employed by any company rolling out cars today. Sometimes it takes public pressure to make manufacturers do what they should have been doing all along. Kudos to Volvo. If you’re going to stick with petroleum-powered vehicles, at least make them as a top-shelf products employing all the best principles of design rather than adding whizz-bang features many people don’t want and won’t use.
Posted on August 25th, 2007 by Shorty
Filed under: technology, first look |
