Volvo Cars Reveals 450 Horsepower High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 7 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Triple Boost Technology takes Volvo's four-cylinder Drive-E Powertrain

petrol engine to 450 HP  

Further proof of Volvo's commitment to delivering driving pleasure through

down-sizing  

    Volvo delivers a unique combination of performance and efficiency with the

High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept - a triple boost 2-liter 4-cylinder

petrol engine with no less than 450 hp.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630 )

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762550-volvo-reveal-drive-e-450hp-engine

    Following the successful introduction of Volvo's Drive-E Powertrain range

in 2013, Volvo's powertrain team once again demonstrates its technological

leadership in emission-reducing turbo technology.

    "When we launched the Drive-E powertrain family, our aim was to deliver the

most advanced 4-cylinder engines in the industry based on emissions and fuel

consumption relative to performance and drivability. We knew that 320 hp in our

petrol configuration was just a starting point. The 450 hp High Performance

Drive-E Powertrain Concept, demonstrates this ambition and the versatility of

the Drive-E Powertrains," says Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President for

Research and Development at Volvo Car Group.

    The 450 hp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept is based on a set of

technologies not usually found in a four cylinder engine. The engine utilizes

two parallel turbochargers, which are fed by an electrically powered

turbo-compressor. The compressed air from this unit, rather than being fed to

the cylinders, is instead used to spool up the two parallel turbochargers. Fuel

is fed by a dual fuel pump working at 250 bar pressure. With this kind of power

density, this triple boost installation and unique fuel system, enables a very

dynamic drivability without any turbo lag, compared to a mono-turbo.

    "There are several high power small size applications where one large turbo

is used to create a high level of power available from other manufacturers, but

the driving experience suffers due to slow engine response. We felt that with

our heritage of being among the first car companies to embrace and offer a

broad range of turbo technology since 1981, that we could improve this," says

Michael Fleiss, Vice President of Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Car Group.

    The High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept attracted the attention and

involvement of Volvo Cars suppliers AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing at an

early stage, which allowed theories and technologies from racing applications

to be infused in the development process.

    "This was a very exciting project as we pioneered a combination of

technologies in the same application, and the result is a quite unique engine

with its high power yet quick response. 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.

    "It may sound odd, but the 450 hp concept is an important part of our

Drive-E development programme. Down-sizing must offer customers attractive and

usable power for broad scale emissions reduction to work. Compact powertrains

free up space and weight in the structure of the car, which can be used for

electrification and even further emissions reduction. And that is our ultimate

ambition," concludes Dr. Mertens.  

    Stefan Elfstrom

    Media Relations Manager

    Corporate Communications

    Volvo Car Corporation

    Dept. 50250/PVH50

    Goteborg

    Sweden

    Telephone +46-31-3251878

    SOURCE: Volvo Car Corporation