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Volvo develops new DRIVE-E powertrain family

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Author: | Updated: 16 Aug 2013 11:44

Volvo has announced it plans to launch a new family of smaller engines in the autumn of 2013.

Collectively known as DRIVE-E, the first three engines from the line-up are two-litre, four-cylinder units – with the most powerful petrol version coming with a compressor and a turbocharger. While the diesel unit features Volvo’s new i-Art technology.

The building blocks to the new range is a new one common rail diesel unit and a direct-injected petrol engine, with a variety of power outputs and technology added depending on the vehicle requirements. DRIVE-E diesels will range in power from 120 to 230 hp. Petrol versions will start at 140 hp and go all the way up to 300-plus hp . Several levels of turbo charging open up the flexibility to cover the whole range, from fuel-efficient derivatives through to high power and torque variants. All DRIVE-E engines will also be compatible with the potential for hybridisation.

Volvo DRIVE-E engine 2013

According to Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering at Volvo the manufacturer has succeeded in creating smaller, more intelligent engines which offer comparable driveability characteristics to that of larger engines.

In the UK, the first Volvo cars to benefit from the new engines are the S60, V60 and XC60 FWD, with a new 181hp D4 engine replacing the old five-cylinder engine. The refreshed S60 and V60 will also be joined by a new T6 engine, with 306hp.

Coupled to the new engine family is a new eight-speed automatic gearbox as well as an updated version of the brand’s six-speed manual.

Crabb continued: "The sophisticated DRIVE-E technologies give the customer high performance, improved fuel economy, considerably lower emissions and a powerful sound character. Our four-cylinder engines will offer higher performance than today's six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation.

"If you take a four-cylinder DRIVE-E engine versus any six-cylinder engine, there's a massive weight and size reduction for the same power. Fuel economy savings are anything from 10 to 30 per cent, depending on which engine you're comparing it to."

i-Art tech

The Swedish carmaker has developed a new i-Art technology which is used on its new diesel engines.

"Increasing the rail pressure to an exceptionally high 2,500 bar, while adding the i-Art technology, can be described as the second step in the diesel revolution. It is a breakthrough comparable to our invention of the lambda sensor for the catalytic converter in 1976. It's another world first in passenger cars for Volvo Cars.” explained Crabb.

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