Volvo Reveals Drive-E Engine Lineup, Commits to Hybrids

Volvo is introducing a new four-engine lineup that the brand refers to as its Drive-E powertrains, and two of the engines will be coming to the US.

The full Drive-E portfolio consists of two four-cylinder gas engines with forced induction, one common rail diesel and one direct-injected gasoline motor. In the US, the two 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines will be made available, one of which uses turbocharging while the other uses both turbo and supercharging.

The less powerful of the two engines makes 240 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and uses just a turbo, while the more powerful engine pumps out 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to supercharging and turbocharging working in conjunction. These two motors both use front-wheel drive which is why Volvo will continue to offers its all-wheel drive engine range alongside the Drive-E motors.

According to the company, these new engine are 13 to 26 percent more efficient than the brand’s current comparable engines. To make this possible, enhancements in friction reduction have been made along with stop/start and regenerative braking being added to all of these motors. Further adding to the efficiency is an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Cementing Volvo’s future with hybrids, the brand made electrification of the Drive-E motors easy so they can be used in future hybrid models. “A four-cylinder, transversely mounted engine is a way of building up for an electrified future,” said Derek Crabb, VP of powertrain engineering at Volvo. “Hybrids are definitely going to be a dominant part of the top end of our range.”

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