Volvo Unveils New Drive-E Three-Cylinder

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Volvo unveiled its new Drive-E three-cylinder engine Thursday, with prototype testing already underway.

The engine was developed in-house, and is considered “a natural next step in Volvo’s strategy of downsizing.” Horsepower and torque are unknown at this time.

Per powertrain vice president Michael Fleiss, the new Drive-E is being developed alongside Volvo’s CMA architecture, and will also power Volvo’s 60 Series with a little help from turbocharging. R&D senior vice president Dr. Peter Mertens adds the engine “can be built on the same production lines” as the four-cylinder Drive-E engines, providing “flexible production potential” as needed.




Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 19 comments
  • Carguy67 Carguy67 on Dec 12, 2014

    Don't tell me those are rubber hoses clamped to rigid pipes right next to the exhaust manifold? A single exhaust port for 3 cylinders ... is that a good thing?

    • Heavy handle Heavy handle on Dec 12, 2014

      I think that the exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head (and liquid cooled). That's a common feature for many new engines. The single exhaust port that you see is after the manifold and goes to the exhaust turbine.

  • Zamoti Zamoti on Dec 12, 2014

    We're Volvo and we do whatever the hell we want! Rwd brown diesel station wagon manual, did that. 5 cylinder transverse mount turbo awd? Did that. Adding a supercharger to a pair of turbos? Why the hell not. Tiny 3 cyl in a 4000 lb car? Damn right. They may not be known for their engines but they sure got balls for making some of the strangest ones around.

    • See 1 previous
    • Tostik Tostik on Dec 13, 2014

      @wmba And let's not forget, Volvo will soon be making a 450HP 4-banger. It'll be in Volvos fairly quickly. I can't wait. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/10/volvo-goes-death-metal-triple-turbo-two-liter-four/

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
Next