Volvo UK has become the first car manufacturer in the UK to homologate its entire model range under the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
All Volvo petrol, diesel and hybrid models now comply with the stringent Euro 6d-Temp standard for tailpipe emissions, as part of the company’s model-year 2019 range update which started production in April. It also puts Volvo well ahead of the September 1, 2018, deadline where only WLTP-homologated cars can be sold in Europe.
The aim of the new WLTP cycle is to ensure published fuel economy and emissions – which all manufacturers legally must publish – offer a more realistic reflection of real-world driving, helping customers to judge better the fuel and emission efficiency of their car.
The WLTP is a laboratory test, which replaces the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) that can trace its roots back to the 1980s. Both tests enable customers to make comparisons between different vehicles, but WLTP uses a driving cycle that is more reflective of on-road driving.
The WLTP test is also backed up by the new Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test – an on-road test of up to 120 minutes, which evaluates a car under a variety of driving conditions and speeds.
The figures Volvo publishes for its models are achieved through the WLTP cycle, then correlated back to an NEDC equivalent for comparison purposes.
“Volvo welcomed the new WLTP testing methods when they were first announced, as greater transparency in areas such as fuel consumption and emissions helps customers make better informed buying decisions. We are pleased that we are the first to sell a complete range of cars that meets the new testing standards,” said Jon Wakefield, MD, Volvo Cars UK.