Fuel efficient specifications introduced by European OEMs: to also expand to medium/large-sized cars

Start-stop systems now available in more models; Fiat launches the newly-developed two-cylinder...

2011/01/04

Summary

  The EU will introduce stricter regulations in phases starting in 2012 with regard to CO2 emissions from new passenger cars marketed in the region, in averages from 130g/km in 2015 to 95g/km in 2020. The EU member countries are promoting the market penetration of the low fuel consumption cars through revising their motor vehicle taxes and registration taxes according to the amounts of CO2 emissions and offering certain incentives to those buying cars of high fuel efficiency.

  As part of fuel efficiency enhancement initiatives, the OEMs began introducing in about 2006 the versions with low fuel consumption and low CO2 emission under specific names. They were initially available on compact cars and are now becoming available on medium- to large-sized cars and SUV as well. OEMs are also making efforts addressing higher fuel efficiency such as developing new engines and adopting start-stop systems.

  Below is a summary of CO2 emissions from new cars in Europe and major fuel efficient versions by European OEMs.

Fuel efficient versions introduced by European OEMs

  Names of fuel efficient versions Description
VW BlueMotion Technology   The name of the versions of the highest fuel efficiencies and lowest CO2 emissions. First used in the Polo in the summer of 2006 and in an increasing number of other models afterwards.
(SEAT brand) Ecomotive   The name of the versions of the lowest CO2 emissions. The SEAT version of VW BlueMotion. First used in the Ibiza in October 2008.
(Skoda brand) GreenLine   The name of the versions of the lowest CO2 emissions. The Skoda version of VW BlueMotion. First used in the Fabia in September 2007.
BMW EfficientDynamics   The name of the technology that achieves high environmental and driving performances without affecting each other. Its concept was announced in March 2007. Available in all models without introducing specific versions.
(Mini brand) MINIMALISM   The Mini version of EfficientDynamics technology that achieves high driving performance along with low fuel consumption and low emissions. Available in all models. The Mini One MINIMALIST was launched in 2010 under the model name of MINIMALIST.
M-Benz BlueEFFICIENCY   The name of the fuel efficient versions first made available on C-Class in February 2008. Availability extended in 2010 from compact cars to midsized cars and SUV. The company plans to launch a total of 85 BlueEFFICIENCY versions by the end of 2010.
Peugeot Blue Lion   Models with 130g/km or less CO2 emissions are dubbed Blue Lion cars without introducing specific fuel efficient versions. All of the 107 series and some of the 1007, 207, and 308 series models are accredited as Blue Lions.
Renault ECO2   Models with 140g/km or less CO2 emissions are referred to as ECO2 Range cars since May 2007 without introducing specific fuel efficient versions. Available on Clio, Kangoo, Megane, etc.
Fiat PUR-O2   The name of the versions with low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions made available first on Fiat 500, Croma, and Bravo in November 2008. This name is not used in the UK; the name of the applicable engines (MultiJet, etc) is affixed to the car's grade name. The new two-cylinder TwinAir engine was used on the Fiat 500 launched in September 2010.
Opel ecoFLEX   The name of the fuel efficient versions made available first on the Corsa in December 2007, followed by Agila, Astra, Zafira, and Insignia. The use of the start-stop system began in 2010.
Ford ECOnetic   The name of the versions with low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions maintaining the car's original driving performance, made available first on the Focus in 2007. The start-stop system is used on the Focus ECOnetic model launched in early 2010.
Volvo DRIVe   The name of the versions with low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions resulting from all-out environmental measures. Made available first on the C30, S40, and V50 in October 2008, followed by certain upper-grade models in 2009.
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