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Swedish maker mixes and matches for answer to environmental driving

Volvo Cars

THE Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden has announced the completion of its environmental concept car (ECC).

The car combines a driveline made up of a gas turbine and an electric motor working in unison or independently according to the driving situation. With three modes to select from, the driver may choose battery, hybrid or gas turbine operation.

If the hybrid operation is selected, the vehicle management unit - a computer controlling the propulsion system - automatically regulates the use of battery and fuel. If the battery charge level is low or if the driver accelerates so much the battery level is insufficient to meet the workload, the gas turbine engages and then shuts off when the battery is fully charged.

The gas turbine is intended for situations where high output is anticipated. If the battery is fully charged in this position, the driver is informed and advised to change to the other two modes for efficiency.

Using an all-aluminium body to reduce weight, the Volvo ECC accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 13 seconds carrying two passengers. Using the gas turbine alone, the car has a top speed of 160 km/h and a range of 670 km at a constant speed of 90 km/h. Powered by battery only, it has a range of 85 km at a speed of 90 km/h. Top speed in the hybrid mode is 175 km/h.

In terms of pollutants, the Volvo ECC has zero emission when travelling under battery power and exceptionally low emission levels and far lower fuel consumption than present-day conventional cars when used in the hybrid mode. The ECC emits so few gasses that they are below the cleanest exhaust standards for combustion engines.

THE Volvo 850GLT, with its patented side impact-protection system (SIPS), has been named by the Automobile Researchers & Journalists Conference (RJC) in Japan as imported car of the year and by the Canadian TV programme Motoring '93 as family car ofthe year.

Japan's RJC commented: ''Volvo's straightforward and aggressive approach to safety, and environmental problems contributed to its success''.

Motoring '93, Canada's premiere motoring show and three-time winner of the Award of Excellence for motoring journalism, honoured the Volvo 850GLT as family car of the year against tough competition from the major producers.

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