Volvo Car Corporation previews prototype Multi-Fuel vehicle and new generation {nl}Collision Warning system at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006, which takes place in{nl}Paris, June 8-12. These two groundbreaking works in progress reflect the company?s{nl}preventive development, supplemented by its cleaner diesel engines as well as engines{nl}for renewable fuels.{nl} A new generation active safety system{nl}{nl}Volvo Car Corporation focuses on developing preventive safety systems to help the{nl}driver predict critical traffic situations. The first generation Collision Warning with Brake{nl}Support was recently launched in the new Volvo S80. Volvo Car Corporation is now{nl}working on a whole new generation of the system, which is designed to be activated at a{nl}very early stage.{nl} If the driver does not hit the brakes in time, the system brakes automatically to slow{nl}the vehicle down, says Ingrid Skogsmo, Safety Director at Volvo Car Corporation. This{nl}helps prevent collisions from happening or reduces their effects.{nl}Volvo Car Corporation has chosen to preview the new generation Collision Warning at{nl}the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006 in Paris, as a sample of the company?s advanced{nl}system development.{nl} ENTERING THE COMPETITION{nl} Prototype engine for five different fuels{nl}{nl}Another development project that Volvo Car Corporation previews at the Michelin{nl}Challenge Bibendum is the Volvo Multi-Fuel – a whole new prototype car, optimised for{nl}running on five fuels; bioethanol E85, methane in the form of either natural gas or{nl}biomethane, petrol and what is called hythane – a blend of 10% hydrogen and 90%{nl}methane.{nl} – It has a powerful engine that accelerates quickly and allows high performance on all{nl}five fuels, says Hans Folkesson, former Senior Vice President Research and Development{nl}at Volvo Car Corporation, now driving Environmental Technologies in Ford?s European{nl}Operations.{nl} The Multi-Fuel meets virtually all known emission standards in the world, including the{nl}proposed Euro 5. Running on pure renewable fuels like hydrogen, biomethane and{nl}bioethanol means negligible net contribution of carbon dioxide to the greenhouse effect.{nl}The turbo charged engine has an effect of 200 bhp and accelerates quickly for a{nl}smoother and more responsive drive.{nl} Cleaner diesel engines{nl}{nl}The Volvo S40 1.6D is the most fuel-efficient Volvo of all times. It has a four-cylinder{nl}1.6-litre diesel engine (109 bhp) and a fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.{nl}Equipped with a particulate filter, particulate emissions are reduced to a minimum.{nl}Meanwhile, carbon dioxide emissions are 15-20% lower compared to petrol.{nl} Engines for renewable fuels{nl}{nl}The Volvo V50 FlexiFuel has a four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine (125 bhp). It runs on{nl}bioethanol E85, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. Ethanol reduces net fossil{nl}carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions by 80% compared to petrol.{nl} The Volvo S60 Bi-Fuel has a five-cylinder 2.4-litre engine (140 bhp). It runs on{nl}biomethane and natural gas, with petrol as a reserve and ignition fuel. Carbon dioxide{nl}emissions from natural gas drive are approximately 25% lower than those from petrol.{nl}Running on biomethane, the engine gives negligible net contribution of fossil carbon{nl}dioxide to the greenhouse effect.{nl} With focus on the environment{nl}{nl}Volvo Car Corporation believes that the road to sustainable mobility is not one but many.{nl}Local conditions vary and one renewable fuel can not yet replace the fossil ones. At{nl}present, fifty per cent of the Volvo car models can be equipped with an engine for{nl}renewable fuels.{nl} We are dedicated to continuously develop high-technological engines for different fuels{nl}with the environment?s best interests in mind – today and for the future, says Hans{nl}Folkesson.{nl}Source: Volvo Cars, UK