Car Test
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R0224 | |
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See also
R0067
March 2002 |
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| Volvo V70 | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model 2.4 Bi-fuel SE | |
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VOLVO IS NOW FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AS A leading light in Ford’s Premier Auto Group (PAG), rubbing shoulders with such automotive luminaries as Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Range Rover. The Swedish maker has also transformed its line-up over the past decade or so, swapping dull but dependable workhorses for cars which retain a full measure of sensible Swedish safety, but which now offer great driving appeal as well.
Volvo’s laudable line on safety is matched by a fine record on environmental issues, too. It’s currently one of only a handful of makers to offer dual-fuel models, powered by greener, alternative fuel technology. Volvo offers bi-fuel versions of most of its models, with both LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and CNG (compressed natural gas) versions available on all except the S40 and V40. They’re proper, factory-built versions, too, (not converted later) with the gas tank located safely under the floor, to retain full load space. There are a few drawbacks, though. Apart from a near-£2000 premium for this LPG V70 over its petrol-only equivalent, (although currently some two-thirds of this can be claimed back under the Government's Powershift grant scheme), the LPG V70 loses both 40 litres-worth of its original petrol tank capacity and a trip computer. It also resorts to a “get-you-home”, aerosol fix for punctures,too, in place of the standard model’s space-saver spare. Like most dual-fuel cars, the V70 starts up on petrol, but switches almost imperceptibly to LPG (if selected) within a quarter of a mile or so. Thereafter, it behaves exactly the same as a regular petrol V70, without any hint of reduced performance, driveability or smoothness – even against a stopwatch. Just as well, though, as the V70’s 140bhp isn't exactly a surfeit to propel the solid, superbly-built Swede. Tall gearing further dents its vigour, but on the plus side, the lanky stride aids relaxed, effortless cruising. In the UK LPG costs about half that of 95 unleaded petrol (at the time of writing) with availability (far better than CNG) now significantly improved compared with a year or two ago. So, unless you live in a remote area, you shouldn’t have to travel too far in search of it. Fuel consumption is 20-25 per cent higher when running on gas, due to LPG’s lower energy content. So although LPG is roughly half the price of petrol, you won’t travel as far on it. This is just part of the overall arithmetic that needs to be done up front when contemplating the V70 Bi-fuel purely on money-saving grounds. Over and above the existing appeal of driving a V70, however, using half-price fuel, as well as doing your little bit for the environment could be the icing on the cake. |
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