Understanding how vehicle emissions and fuel consumption are measured is crucial for car owners and enthusiasts alike. Standardized laboratory tests ensure that different car models can be compared fairly. Historically, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) was the protocol used in Europe. However, the Worldwide harmonised Light-duty vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) has emerged as a more modern and realistic standard, gradually replacing NEDC since September 1, 2017. This shift is particularly relevant when considering vehicles like the Ferrari SUV, as consumers seek to understand the environmental impact and fuel efficiency of even high-performance vehicles.
The NEDC, established in 1970 and updated over the years, served as the benchmark for measuring fuel consumption and emissions. Initially focused on urban driving, it was expanded to include extra-urban conditions in 1992 and used for CO2 emission measurements from 1997. However, the NEDC cycle’s composition became outdated, failing to reflect contemporary driving styles and road usage. With an average speed of just 34 km/h and a maximum speed of 120 km/h, accelerations were minimal, making it less representative of real-world driving scenarios, especially for powerful vehicles like a Ferrari SUV designed for dynamic performance.
In contrast, the WLTP procedure utilizes new Worldwide harmonised Light-duty vehicle Test Cycles (WLTC) to provide consumers with data that more accurately reflects everyday vehicle use. The WLTP is characterized by a significantly more dynamic driving profile with enhanced acceleration and braking. The maximum speed is increased to 131.3 km/h, the average speed is 46.5 km/h, and the total test duration is extended to 30 minutes. The distance covered in the test doubles to 23.25 kilometers. The WLTP test is divided into four parts based on speed: Low (up to 56.5 km/h), Medium (up to 76.6 km/h), High (up to 97.4 km/h), and Extra-high (up to 131.3 km/h). These segments simulate urban, suburban, extra-urban roads, and motorway driving, offering a broader spectrum of driving conditions that are more pertinent to assessing the fuel consumption and emissions of a Ferrari SUV across varied driving environments.
Furthermore, the WLTP methodology accounts for vehicle-specific options that influence aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and overall vehicle mass. This results in a CO2 emission value that is tailored to the unique configuration of each individual vehicle, offering a more precise representation of a Ferrari SUV’s environmental footprint compared to the more generalized results from the NEDC. The transition to WLTP signifies a move towards more realistic and stringent testing standards, providing consumers with more reliable information about vehicle emissions and fuel economy, even for luxury and performance SUVs like those from Ferrari.
