Volvo has announced it will be making automatic gearboxes available for many of its DRIVe models.
However these new Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearboxes will not compromise efficiency as they will return the same emissions as a manual gearbox for the first time.
Volvo vehicles that will feature this new gearbox include the S60 DRIVe, V60 DRIVe, V70 DRIVe and the S80 DRIVe.
These new gearboxes return emissions of 114g/km for the S60 model and 119g/km for the other three models. Each model also returns impressive mileage of between 62.8mpg and 65.7mpg.
Peter Mertens, senior vice president research and development at the Volvo car corporation, said: "For the first time ever, we have managed to bring the fuel consumption in variants with an automatic gearbox down to the same level as in the manual versions. An impressive achievement by our powertrain experts."
These low emissions of the new gearbox are due to many new technological improvements, such as reduced friction between components, modified engine software, optimised efficiency with electrical equipment and new four cylinder engines.
Volvo's petrol powered T3 range will also benefit from these improvements by keeping its emissions below 140g/km.
Volvo's automatic gearbox factfile
What are they?
These new gearboxes give the car automatic gearbox functions as well as maintaining the low emissions featured in the manual range.
How much do they cost?
On the road prices start at £25,230 (S60 DRIVe), £26,405 (V60 DRIVe), £27,730 (V70 DRIVe) and £26,980 (S80 DRIVe).
When are they available?
Customers will be able to order a DRIVe Powershift in early 2012 with production starting mid-February.