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Stop/start technology standard on every All-New Volvo V40

27th February 2013

Stop/start engine technology is an environmentally-friendly technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and is fitted to all engine and transmission variants in the All-New V40.

By switching off the engine, for example during congestion or at a traffic signal, overall exhaust emissions and fuel consumption is reduced. In fact, the stop/start system can reduce fuel consumption by up to five percent in mixed driving conditions, and 10 percent in an urban environment.

The technology uses brake pressure measurement to trigger when to stop and start the engine. The stop/start system is programmed to shut down the engine immediately when the car reaches a standstill (0km/h). As soon as the brake pedal is released, the engine starts immediately.

An electric pump keeps oil pressure up in the automatic gearbox while the engine is stopped, while the system also includes an improved starter engine.

The piezoelectric fuel injectors minimise consumption with exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure. This promotes extremely efficient combustion. In order to give the car even better driving properties, the turbochargers have also been fine-tuned to provide high torque from low revs.

"Continuously reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our drive towards zero emissions," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Group.

"It is the most effective way to cut CO2 throughout our model range in the short term, and this work is running in parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies. The response is so seamless that it feels like the car starts accelerating immediately when the engine restarts."

In addition, every All-New Volvo V40 also comes with regenerative charging. This technology has been designed to improve fuel economy by intelligently controlling the alternator and charging the battery (if required) when it is most economical, such as when braking or coasting while in gear, as no fuel is being used.

Regenerative charging recovers kinetic energy from the vehicle during braking by increasing the 12V alternator voltage and charging the 12V battery. During braking, the fuel injection in to the combustion engine is shut off and the alternator is completely driven by the kinetic energy from the vehicle.

This 'free' recouped energy is used to power electrical systems during less efficient periods when there is a large drain on the battery. This reduces the average load on the alternator, increasing economy and lowering CO2 emissions.