Volvo has joined Ford, BMW, Mitsubishi and Nissan in the three-cylinder petrol engine team.
The Swedish giant says its latest ‘Drive-E’ powerplant is 1.5-litre in capacity and could deliver as much as 135kW. This would put Volvo at the top of the class which is currently headed by BMW’s 100kW/220Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre three cylinder which power the excellent 218i.
Volvo says the new three-cylinder engine is earmarked for its next-generation of small cars and also future S60 and V60 models.
Interestingly the new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine is being developed entirely in-house by Volvo in Sweden and not in China the home of Volvo parent Geely.
