Volvo News: New Four-Cylinder Engine Coming To Most Volvos In 2013

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 17, 2012

What is the lowest cylinder engine that you can buy in a Volvo currently? If you said four, you would be wrong. Volvo hasn't sold a four-cylinder model since 2004. But that will be changing next year.

Automotive News has found out that come 2013, Volvo will offer a 2.0L four-cylinder in the front-wheel-drive versions of the S60 and S80 sedans, the XC60 crossover and the XC70 wagon. The engine is part of Volvo's new Environmental Architecture family of four-cylinder engines. The family will replace all of the automaker's five- and six-cylinder engines.

"The whole reason to do this is high fuel efficiency, high performance, good torque and reduced weight. This will give us a leap ahead," said Volvo Cars of North America CEO John Maloney.

The engine will range in horsepower from 150 to 300 thanks to turbocharging. Gas engines will come first with diesel possibly coming along later.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

View full article

[daves87rs]

Will the cars be lighter?

[Robert Hall]

Interesting..didn't realize the 30/40 series didn't have 4 cyl versions.

Edit: apparently, outside the US they have been available w/ 4cyls.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[G. David Felt]

Volvo is another company I put in the bucket with Mazda. I wonder if it will be here in 10 years. They have their die hard, but do not seem to be winning much market gains.

History marker to come for the books I predict.

[riviera74]

Unlike Saab, which is wholly unloved, Volvo has some buyers at least. Now, whether it will make it to 2020 or 2022, that is an open question.

[Drew Dowdell]

The Volvo T5 is an interesting beastie, but comes up looking weak and thirsty compared to more modern turbo 4s.

[G. David Felt]

The Volvo T5 is an interesting beastie, but comes up looking weak and thirsty compared to more modern turbo 4s.

Very true, They need a shake up in their product line and motors as they have models with engines that make me go WTF.

Edited April 18, 2012 by dfelt

[LosAngeles]

I'm now a Volvo guy, having just bought an 850 Turbo and having immersed myself in the Volvo community. The current whiteblock 5 and 6 cylinders, and the old redblock fours that powered the stereotypical Volvos of the 70s and 80s are extremely durable and reliable, capable of lasting 300,000 miles and beyond. As mentioned above, fuel economy was never one of their strong suits.

I don't believe the whiteblocks need to be outright retired, but Volvo hasn't made them very competitive in the horsepower wars of the past decade. 300 horses and 30 combined mpg is commonplace in cars that cost a lot less. No reason those numbers can't come from a stock T-5 or NA 6, but they don't, and maybe the development of this new four was the reason. if it's a long-lasting torque monster to boot, calling it a career for the whiteblock might not be a bad idea.

The Volvospeeders and 240 snobs over on TurboBricks will certainly love this "greenblock" if it's easily swappable to their older Volvos.