Volvo XC40 to get three-pot engine

VOLVO has announced its is bringing its first three-cylinder engine to its upcoming XC40 small SUV, and the new powertrain will arrive in 2019 following the model’s Australian debut in the second quarter of this year.

The three-cylinder petrol engine will be paired with an electric motor for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant in 2020, which will be joined by a fully electric version at the same time.

In turbo-petrol guise the three-pot mill – dubbed T3 – develops 115kW of power at 5000rpm and 265Nm of torque from 1850-3850rpm, while details of the plug-in hybrid are yet to be announced.

Globally, the T3 is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with an eight-speed auto to follow later, however given the absence of any three-pedal shifter in Volvo Australia’s line-up, it is likely that we will only get the auto.

Its 115kW/265Nm output will help it compete with other entry-level offerings in the premium small SUV segment, such as the BMW X1 sDrive18i (110kW/220Nm), Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI (110kW/250Nm) and Mercedes-Benz GLA180 (90kW/200Nm).

Fuel consumption is rated between 7.1 and 7.7 litres per 100km, while emissions stand at 160-174 grams of CO2 per km.

Volvo’s three-cylinder engine will be produced on the same production line as its four-cylinder engines, in accordance with the brand’s strategy to improve economies of scale.

As previously reported by GoAuto, Volvo Australia plans to offer the XC40 at launch with the choice of two 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offerings, the D4 diesel and T5 petrol.

Under the bonnet of the XC40, the D4 develops 140kW/400Nm, while the T5 produces 182kW/350Nm, with both variants driving all four wheels.

Two other variants, the 110kW/320Nm D3 and 140kW/300Nm T4, will be offered globally, but it is uncertain whether they will make it to Australian showrooms.

Three trim levels will be offered, including the Momentum, R-Design and the top-spec Inscription, with the latter offering alloy wheel choices ranging from 18 to 20 inches in size, and interior flourishes including the Volvo’s crystal gearknob and ‘Driftwood’ wooden trim.

It is expected that the XC40’s engine line-up will be duplicated for the eventual V40 hatch replacement, which will be built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform as the XC40.

Pricing and exact specification for the XC40 range will be announced closer to its release date in the second quarter of this year.