Volvo is currently working on a new three-cylinder engine that it plans to include in its 60-series vehicles, such as the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover. This is part of a bigger overhaul to replace the entire model range and develop new, more efficient powertrains.
This engine is a spin-off from one of the automaker’s new four-cylinder Drive-E engines. The company has learned a lot from the development of the four-cylinder, which has translated into this new highly-responsive, compact and powerful premium-quality three-cylinder.
Lately, Volvo has been at the forefront of forward-thinking goals, having announced last year its plan to create a crash-free car by 2020.
The main goal with this three-cylinder engine is to improve efficiency. Michael Fleiss, the Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Car Group, says that the engine will be connected to the company’s advanced turbo technologies for optimum power outputs, “while also meeting Euro 7 emission targets.”
The engine is being developed with the new CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) in mind, though it will go under the hoods of bigger vehicles, such as a crossover. This is a big deal since up until now, three-cylinders have appeared under the hoods of compact vehicles only.
BMW has recently started putting 1.5-litre three-cylinder engines into some of its MINI-branded vehicles. Ford offers a 1.0-litre three-cylinder in its sub-compact Fiesta, while the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is equipped with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder.
Volvo’s engine is still in testing, which means that the details are still being worked out, so we probably won’t see it in production for at least a few more years. When the engine is ready though, it will likely be built on the same production line as the four-cylinder.