Heico Volvo C30 DRIVe Facelift

Tuner HEICO SPORTIV has created a new tuning package for the facelift Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe. The tuner claims a strong base is already in place from the stock car which has eco-friendly technologies like stop/start with a brake-energy recovery system and a fuel consumption of only 3.9 litres per 100km.

“This is our basic starting point for proving that ecologically friendly action and the pleasure of driving don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” said general manager Holger Hedtke. He continued, “In doing so, aerodynamically optimised components such as the radiator grille or under-floor intentionally remain untouched.”

Power and torque increase from 109 bhp and 240Nm to 125 bhp and 280Nm respectively. The 0 - 100km/h sprint time is set at 9.2 seconds. HEICO SPORTIV claims theirs is 2.1 seconds quicker than the factory car. It also has a 200km/h top speed.

The car features some additions by the tuner on both interior and exterior. On the inside of the car these include aluminium or leather-covered handbrake, door pin set and gear lever grip.
The car’s exterior features a HEICO SPORTIV front spoiler, sport rims in 18 and 19-inch size in three colours, and a stainless steel double and quad pipe exhaust system.  Performance enhancers include a differential lock and a sports suspension lowered by 30mm.

[Source: HEICO SPORTIV]

Volvo XC60 DRIVe

Volvo will introduce four new DRIVe models at the Geneva Motor Show in one week. The company began production of the fuel efficient, low emissions vehicles late last year following a successful introduction at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

The DRIVe tag will now also be seen on the Volvo V70, S80, XC60, and XC70. It already appears on the C30, S40, and V50 models. The C30 DRIVe even managed to slip into the European Union’s cleanest band of vehicles by producing less than 105g CO2 per km.

Perhaps most impressive is Volvo’s ability to get the XC60 and XC70 crossover SUVs below 160g CO2/km. The DRIVe models use a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine that produces 175 hp and a spectacular 420Nm of torque. Gear ratios are tuned for fuel economy, but the torque increase helps keep a somewhat sporty feel, according to the company. Combined fuel economy is rated at 6.0 l/100 km for each vehicle, which corresponds to about 39 mpg (US). If that seems a little less impressive, then consider this: the current Volvo XC70 would get 6.2 l/100 (38 mpg US) if you only drove it on the highway.

Expect Volvo to reveal their fuel economy advances at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. All seven vehicles, including the new Volvo V70 DRIVe, S80 DRIVe, XC60 DRIVe, and XC70 DRIVe will be shown off on 3 March 2009.

[Source: Volvo]