New Volvo turbo-four

VOLVO has announced an all-new direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine dubbed the 2.0 GTDi, which will make its Australian debut in 2011 – most likely in this year’s redesigned S60 sedan.

While the new S60 mid-sizer is expected to be launched here in the final quarter of 2009 with the latest twin-turbo version of Volvo’s five-cylinder diesel engine, as well as Volvo’s turbocharged inline petrol six, the new 2.0 GTDi should join the S60 range the following year.

The 2.0-litre GTDi engine follows the reveal of a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct petrol injection engine, which goes by the same Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection name as the 2.0-litre, in the original S60 concept car.

While the 2.0 GTDi has officially been earmarked for Volvo Cars Australia’s XC60 medium SUV, S80 luxury sedan and V70 wagon later in 2011, the 1.6 GTDi is also likely to filter across the range and could eventually power Australia’s small C30 hatch, a facelifted version of which will released here in March.

As previously reported, the upgraded C30 range will comprise Europe’s fuel-efficient DRIVe version for the first time, while the same month will see Volvo launch the facelifted C70 coupe-convertible here. Volvo launched a revised version of its top-shelf S80 Down Under earlier this month.

Eclipsing the 1.6 GTDi, which in prototype form delivered 134kW of power while averaging fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km and emitting 119g/km of CO2, the 2.0 GTDi stumps up 149kW at 6000rpm and some 300Nm (320Nm during overboost) of peak torque between 1750 and 4000rpm.

From top: Volvo S60, Volvo XC60, Volvo V70.

The oversquare (87.5mm bore, 83.1mm stroke) 1999cc 16-valve inline turbo-four, which runs a 10.0:1 compression ratio, twin variable overhead camshafts and meets strict new Euro 5 emissions laws, returns fuel consumption as low as 7.9L/100km when mated with a manual transmission in the S80.

Coupled with a new six-speed Powershift double-clutch automated manual transmission, it returns 8.3L/100km auto, while in the same vehicle it returns CO2 emissions of 184g/km (manual) and 193 (auto), and sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds (manual) and 8.5 seconds (auto).

In the V70, the 2.0 GTDi returns 8.1L/100km (manual) and 8.4L/100km (auto), emits 189g/km (manual) and delivers 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.3 seconds (manual) and 8.9 seconds (auto).

Finally, the auto-only XC60 2.0 GTDi will consume an average of 8.6L/100km, emit 199g/km of CO2 and accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 9.6 seconds.

Volvo Cars’ head of product development Magnus Jonsson said the 2.0 GTDi matches the performance and betters the efficiency of a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, indicating it may replace the inline five-cylinder 2.4-litre petrol engine that is currently available in turbocharged and naturally aspirated guises in the C30, S40, V50, S60 and C70.

“We've succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it's also much more energy-efficient,” said Mr Jonsson.

“This is very welcome both for those customers who want high performance as well as supreme driveability and for the environment that benefits from the improved fuel efficiency. One of the most important reasons behind the results is our new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines.”

The 2.0 GTDi engine’s K03 turbocharging system was developed in conjunction with Borg-Warner Turbo System and steel component manufacturer Benteler Automotive.

Claimed to be the market's smallest in relation to engine output, its housing is again integrated into the manifold, but this time both components are made from sheet rather than cast steel, making the system lighter, more compact and cooler-running.

“By combining direct injection and VVT with our new patented turbo system, we can offer an engine with low fuel consumption and low emissions, without having to compromise on performance or driving properties,” said Mr Jonsson.

“We have created an engine that is as efficient in the city as it is on the highway. And since the design is based on an already-existing engine concept, we can offer more car buyers a highly fuel-efficient alternative at a reasonable price.”