DRIVING a hunky Volvo estate around central London without racking up a penny in congestion charges may have been an unattainable dream at one time but it is now a reality thanks to this forward-thinking manufacturer's DRIVe technology which is now extended into the V50 estate range.

It has nothing to do with hybrid power or pure electrics but a raft of changes including a common-sense 1,560cc diesel engine that has a CO2 emissions readout below the 100g/km mark - which also means zero Vehicle Excise Duty.

This move completely banishes the idea of the typecast heavy Volvo estate guzzling fuel to trundle its bulk and a heavy loads around the country.

The V50 DRIVe can still handle a healthy payload and its still superbly built- albeit a bit lighter than the Volvos of old – but it is exceptionally miserly on fuel.

Thecompany's official combined mpg readout is a staggering 74.3mpg, a figure that could be achieved on a long run but in everyday driving you are looking more at the high 50mpg mark.

The V50 DRIVe is typical of the subtle engineering work going on to keep these vehicles very much cars for today.

The V50 is one three Volvo cars equipped with a special set of efficiency-enhancing features and marked with the DRIVe emblem to signal uprated environmental credentials.

They are the next step in Volvo Car's environmental vision of "DRIVe Towards Zero" – meaning no harmful emissions.

All this means that the V50 is the largest and most versatile sub-100g/km estate car currently on sale in the UK.

It is something of an all-round gift-horse because in addition to saving London-based owners more than £2,500 per year its long-legged performance via a neatly spaced six-speed gearbox means substantial fuel savings for those who need a car of this type and have to make long drives.

You can own a Volvo V50 DRIVe for £23,495 which is about the norm for and estate of this size.

The reduction in CO2 emissions and increased fuel economy have been brought about by meticulously analysing the car's potential for more efficient, more economical driving.

One of the first priorities was to reduce air resistance by lowering the chassis height by 10mm to help reduce drag, adding a front spoiler, adding a wind deflector to the radiator grille and making aerodynamic changes to the wheels.

The spotlight then fell on reducing rolling resistance which was achieved by fitting a new generation of Michelin tyres.

Driveline modifications included a gearbox with longer ratios, optimised engine cooling and management, adding low-friction transmission oil, installing a gear-change information indicator and start/stop technology.

All of the above features go to enhance the V50's overall appeal. It was Volvo Car UK's second best selling model of 2010 and was globally Volvo's best selling model.

Its concept is not complex – just a stylish and simple Scandinavian sportswagon.

And in the midst of the whirlwind of economy considerations its performance is not bad either.

The V50 DRIVe can achieve 121mph and can accelerate to 60mph in 10.9 seconds – good solid everyday driving capability that is so typical of Volvo.

FAST FACTS

Volvo V50 DRIVe SE

Price: £23,495

Mechanical: 115ps, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 121mph

0-62mph: 10.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 74.3

Insurance group: 18

CO2 emissions: 99/km

BIK rating: 13%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles