Volvo SA has introduced the first of its new Drive-E powertrains to the SA market.
Volvo claims that these powertrains take efficient driving pleasure to a new dimension in which output and efficiency determine the quality of performance.
These two Drive-E engines will eventually replace the eight engines currently in service in various Volvo models. The new range will consist of one four-cylinder petrol engine and one four-cylinder diesel. These two engines can be configured to meet the power output needs of the entire Volvo range from the Volvo V40 Cross Country to the future Volvo XC90 SUV.
The first of these new Drive-E engines is now available on the Volvo XC60 SUV. The top-of-the-range T6 petrol engine will follow at a later stage.
These engines can be mated to either an all-new eight-speed automatic, or enhanced six-speed manual transmission. Both transmissions have been tuned with fuel economy in mind.
The D4 diesel engine in the XC60 is an in-line turbocharged four-cylinder with output figures of 133kW and 400Nm of torque. It powers the XC60 to 100km/h in 8,5 seconds and on to a top speed of 210km/h. Volvo claims an impressive fuel consumption of 4,7 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 124g/km.
On the petrol side, the T5 in-line turbocharged four-cylinder produces 180kW and 350Nm of torque. It accelerates to 100km/h in 7,2 seconds and it also only runs out of steam at 210km/h.
Its claimed fuel consumption figures are mighty impressive for a petrol powered SUV of its size. Volvo claims a figure of 6,7 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 157g/km.
The XC60 D4 and T5 models are available immediately, while a T6 variant will be added to the range later in 2014. The rest of Volvo’s Drive-E variants will be introduced over a period of about two to three years, so expect all models from the Swedish manufacturer to be powered by four-cylinder engines by the end of 2016.
Pricing for the Volvo XC60 ranges from R R479 000 for the entry-level D4 manual Essential to R631 700 for the T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design.