Volvo is further embracing the downsizing trend in the industry, as the Swedish maker will reportedly introduce a smaller 1.5-liter turbo engine for the S90 saloon, V90 estate and XC90 SUV.
Quoting Peter Mertens, the firm’s chief of Research and Development, AutoExpress says that the new “90” family will adopt the smaller unit, in entry-level models.
“We have been running a V40 mule with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine and a dual-clutch gearbox, and it’s already excellent“, said the Volvo official, who added that, “with the 1.5 we can easily get up to 150 HP and more“.
It seems that the new three-cylinder 1.5-liter mill will be offered in the larger vehicles as part of a more modest hybrid setup, that will sit below the current T8. The four-wheel drive T6 Hybrid could produce as much as 250 PS, combing the turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. Besides being a cheaper alternative to the T8, the T6 will be a more efficient addition to the S90, V90 and XC90.
In related news, Mertens stated that the S40, V40 and new XC40 small SUV will share their platform with Geely’s Chinese vehicles, apart from some changes: “Targets are slightly different in that area so we’re probably a bit more focused on noise reduction. Delivering the level of refinement we want is always going to be the big challenge with the smaller car.”
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