Although the hottest Volvo-related subject these days is the upcoming world debut of the second-generation XC90 SUV, Volvo is also working on a three-cylinder powerplant. Expected to debut in 2016, the first three-pot mill in the family will be a turbo'd petrol.
But the bit of info that will raise some eyebrows is that according to which the 1.5-liter turbo mill is going to propel Volvo nameplates such as the S60, V60 and "mid-level XC SUVs," or so says Derek Crabb, Volvo's global powertrain boss. In an interview with British publication AutoCar, the official declared that the peppy new powerplant is going to be used on future hybrid drivetrains.
“I see it being possible in S60 but not higher. It’s not planned for the higher XC cars at the moment. It’s not the power. It’s more to do with the torque,” Mr. Crabb told AutoCar. The current Volvo CO2 average across the range is 120 g/km in Europe. "By 2020, we have to get down to 95g/km but in Australia we have to get down to 75g/km in the same timeframe. If you really get your engineering right, you can get through 95 g/km without electrification,” Derek added.
Furthermore, the current generation of Drive-E gasoline and diesel-fed four-cylinder engines are due for a minor hike in output every two years or so. Nevertheless, you shouldn't lower your driver excitement expectations from Volvo and its emphasis on green technologies.
Remember that the 2015 Volvo XC90 will get a range-topping T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid model. A 2-liter turbocharged and supercharged Drive-E petrol engine together with an 80 horsepower electric motor give this variant "around 400 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque." Exciting stuff, huh?
“I see it being possible in S60 but not higher. It’s not planned for the higher XC cars at the moment. It’s not the power. It’s more to do with the torque,” Mr. Crabb told AutoCar. The current Volvo CO2 average across the range is 120 g/km in Europe. "By 2020, we have to get down to 95g/km but in Australia we have to get down to 75g/km in the same timeframe. If you really get your engineering right, you can get through 95 g/km without electrification,” Derek added.
Furthermore, the current generation of Drive-E gasoline and diesel-fed four-cylinder engines are due for a minor hike in output every two years or so. Nevertheless, you shouldn't lower your driver excitement expectations from Volvo and its emphasis on green technologies.
Remember that the 2015 Volvo XC90 will get a range-topping T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid model. A 2-liter turbocharged and supercharged Drive-E petrol engine together with an 80 horsepower electric motor give this variant "around 400 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque." Exciting stuff, huh?