Weight shedding

Headed for Hampshire today, where Volvo organised a driving day for the V40. The cars had the latest D4 diesel and T5 petrol engines. These follow the motor industry trend for weight reduction in pursuit of better fuel economy and lower CO2.

They are also part of a streamlining process by the Swedish manufacturer. Not long ago there were 16 individual engines in the Volvo range. Now all the power units they use share a common basic structure, with weight savings of up to 90 kg per car. The UK is very important to Volvo, as the biggest market for the V40.

It has been a mild day, but with a nip in the air as the shadows lengthened late in the afternoon. I love this view across the parkland of the Four Seasons hotel at Dogmersfield, near Hook, where the event was staged. There is some work currently going on in the grounds. A new 'High Wire Adventure' of rope courses and zip wires is being installed, due to open later this month. Good for a different kind of weight saving.