Volvo has somehow managed to squeeze 450hp from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engine fitted with Triple Boost Technology, proving that downsizing can be cool.
Volvo says the 450 hp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept uses technologies not usually found in a four-cylinder engine. The engine utilizes two parallel turbochargers, which are fed by an electrically powered turbo-compressor.
Rather than being fed to the cylinders, the compressed air from this unit is instead used to spool up the two parallel turbochargers. Fuel is fed by a dual fuel pump working at 250 bar pressure. According to Volvo, the power density, triple boost installation and unique fuel system enable a “very dynamic drivability without any turbo lag, compared to a mono-turbo.”
Unsurprisingly, the engine caught the attention and involvement of Volvo Cars suppliers AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing at an early stage, which means that the unit benefits from technologies from the world of racing.
“Above all, its compact size improves weight distribution between the front and rear axle and lowers the center of gravity – two factors that have a significant effect on the handling, whether it is a race car or a street car,” said Mattias Evensson, Race Engine Director at Volvo Polestar Racing.
For the moment, Volvo remains silent about which of its models could get the new engine, but a relatively safe bet would be high-performance Polestar versions and flagship models like the XC90 and upcoming S80.
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