Volvo Cars Launches Three-cylinder Engine in New XC40

Volvo Cars has developed a new three-cylinder Drive-E powertrain for the XC40. The XC40 is Volvo’s first compact SUV. This is the first time Volvo has made a three-cylinder engine in its 91 years.

Volvo developed the all-new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection petrol engine inhouse using the same modular design that was used for its four-cylinder Drive-E engines. The three-cylinder powertrain is paired with a six-speed transmission. Volvo has said that it will be launching an optional eight-speed transmission in 2019.

As part of Volvo’s strategy to improve economies of scale and cut costs, the three-cylinder engine will be made on the same production lines as the company’s four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. In addition to the three-cylinder engine, customers who buy the XC40 can opt for variants having either the D3 150hp diesel engine or the T4 190hp petrol engine.

Commenting on the new engine, Alexander Petrofski, senior director cluster 40 at Volvo Cars said that the new three-cylinder engine is an exciting development for the XC40 and for Volvo Cars in general. He added that the compact engine design gives the company the flexibility it needs to introduce more powertrain options for XC40 customers.

The new three-cylinder powertrain has been designed in such a manner that it can integrate easily into Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars. Volvo will shortly launch a hybrid as well as a pure electric powertrain option for the XC40.