Volvo unveils 444bhp 4-cylinder Drive-E engine

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Volvo has just taken the wraps off the most powerful version of its new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, Drive-E engine family. This new petrol motor makes 444bhp, a huge 222bhp per litre. Volvo's current top engine, the T5, makes 245bhp.

The carmaker, however, has not revealed a likely launch date yet.

The new engine uses two conventional turbochargers supplemented by an electrically powered ‘turbo-compressor’. Its triple-charging setup is also supplemented by a fuel pump running at an unusually high 250 bar pressure. The turbo-compressor is used to ‘spool up’ the two turbochargers when the engine is running at low revs, thereby dramatically reducing turbo lag and off-boost performance.

Volvo engineers claim that this new forced-induction set-up “enables a very dynamic drivability without any turbo lag.” All of Volvo's suppliers, including AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing, have all been involved in the engine development, the company said.

Volvo's research and development boss Dr. Peter Mertens said: “When we launched the Drive-E powertrain family, our aim was to deliver the most advanced four-cylinder engines in the industry based on emissions and fuel consumption relative to performance and drivability.

"We knew that 316bhp in our petrol configuration was just a starting point. The 444bhp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept, demonstrates this ambition and the versatility of the Drive-E powertrains."
The result was a unique engine with high power yet quick response. Its compact size also improves weight distribution between the front and rear axle, and lowers the centre of gravity - two factors that have a significant effect on the handling, whether it is a race car or a street car, Mattias Evensson, race engine director at Volvo Polestar Racing added.

"Compact powertrains also 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,” said Mertens.

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