Volvo Builds Prototype V70 With 5 Fuels

by Glady Reign

One engine, five fuels. Awesome, is it not?

But Volvo is not only concentrating on enthralling customers with features such as these. As a fact, the latest prototype it built was actually done so as to respond to the alarming environmental concern of the automakers. Earlier, the automaker manufactured the prototype Volvo V70 with 5 fuels - majority of which are environment-friendly.

Volvo is known for its commitment to lead automotive milestones. As a fact, it has been associated with remarkable safety and ninety-degree bodywork. At this point in time, the automaker has already established a name that embodies style, quality, cutting-edge design - plus superb green technology.

It can be recalled that some Volvo vehicles and cars feature PremAir. The latter is a radiator treatment that consumes ozone on contact. The result is a cleaner, fresher and more breathable atmosphere. The Swedish luxury brand of Ford has also unleashed its first V8 engine from Yamaha. Said engine is clean enough to make the Volvo XC90 V8 the only V8-powered vehicle around the globe to meet the ULEV II emissions standards.

Lately, the automaker has been busy trying to formulate an excellent vehicle that could compete tightly in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the world's leading automotive green-energy symposium. In the said symposium, automakers flaunt their cream-of-the-crop environment-friendly pride.

Volvo's previous entry for the said event, which was held in Shanghai, was the unique 3CC Concept Car, a 2+1 seater electric car capable of providing real-world performance and range. Other enthusiasts thought that it would be hard for the automaker to produce a vehicle that could go beyond the borders of the 3CC Concept. However, Volvo proved them false. It has come up with a practical and very family-friendly station wagon that is capable of running on 5 different fuels.

The concept is based on the production version of the Volvo V70, a station wagon. The apparent difference is that the concept is painted with a vibrant electric yellow hue. Under the hood, a more substantive difference could be had. The fuels of "Multi Fuel Prototype" include standard gasoline, E85 (bioethanol), natural gas, biomethane, and hythane. The most interesting fuel among the 5 is hythane which is a mixture of hydrogen and methane. Hythane is the most recent type of alternative fuel blend. Its application is composed of 10 per cent hydrogen and 90 per cent methane.

Aside from running on 5 different engines, another notable feature of the Multi Fuel Prototype is its relatively consistent performance regardless of the fuel used. The automaker said that the turbocharged engine of prototype is capable of producing about 200 horsepower. It is sufficient to power up the wagon.

Hythane, E85 bioethanol and CNG biomethane are extra-clean fuels. This is the main reason why the vehicle has surpassed all existing emissions regulations imposed in any market at the present time. Furthermore, it would also qualify for the upcoming EuroV emissions regulations. The mentioned fuels also have the advantage of being carbon neutral. It means that the amount of carbon emitted when the fuel is burned is equivalent to the amount acquired by the crops used to make the fuel.

Volvo also intends to convert its entire lineup into green cars. The Volvo S40 1.6D is the automaker's efficient production vehicle that consumes 48 mpg of diesel. The emissions produced are 15 to 20 per cent lesser than an equivalently powerful gasoline model. The Volvo V50, its station wagon variant, is available in Europe in a Flexi-Fuel model. The car can run on E85 bioethanol. When it runs on said fuel, it generates some 80 per cent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline. Part of Volvo's green pride is the Volvo S60 B-Fuel which is powered by gasoline and biomethane. When fueled by biomethane, tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide are reduced to some 25 per cent compared to gasoline fuel emissions.

Volvo's lineup these days is far from its vehicles in the yesteryears. This is the automaker's way of improving some of its aging Volvo 740 parts and transforming them into fuel-efficient, functional, stylish and green cars.

About the Author

Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the Motor City and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.