'Drive-E' doesn't sound like the most promising of powertrain names for a new performance engine. But 'Triple Boost Technology' certainly does. In fact there's quite a lot to be excited about with Volvo's latest performance engine, 450hp for one.
Downsized fours for new SUVs like XC90
It's the latest in Volvo's Drive-E modular family of four-cylinder engines. Triple Boost Technology isn't a tri-turbo engine as in the BMW M50d models but instead a twin-turbo engine with an electrically powered turbo compressor. The air from the compressor is used only to spool the parallel turbos and isn't fed into the cylinders, in theory eliminating any lag and thereby improving throttle response.
Both Polestar and Denso have been involved in the development of the High Performance Drive-E engine. Mattias Evensson is Polestar's Race Engine Director and said of the new triple boost motor: "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."
Potential for 225hp per litre Polestars interesting...
There are of size and weight benefits too when compared with similarly powerful but physically larger engines. Lowers the centre of gravity too. And going by the clip of the S60 punting around a test track on
the vid below
it sounds pretty cool too.
The entire Drive-E engine project is there to reduce emissions but it's nice to see Volvo hasn't entirely forgotten the enthusiast in this. Where will it be used? Who knows, but a more powerful V60 Polestar to take on the Audi RS4 and Mercedes C63 sounds like a good idea to us.
Geeky but interesting Volvo tech vid here