F O C U S 5 Photos: Volvo Car Corporation ‹F›: Dr. Mertens, please tell us about the technical innovations in the Volvo Drive-E Powertrain Family, which was introduced in 2013, and is being extended this year to include further performance levels, both in terms of enhanced fuel efficiency and superior performance. ‹Dr. Peter Mertens›: After separating from Ford, Volvo had to replace all engines by ones of its own by 2015. This was a huge challenge, but also a great opportunity to refresh the entire engine range. We got the chance to question everything we had ever done before. We felt it was really important for us to create a good basis for the future. So we concentrated on the engine’s basic attributes like friction, combustion, charging, compactness, high power density and modularity. Back then, we made up our minds to limit displacement to 2 liters with four cylinders – an aspect that is also a key part of our brand strategy, focusing on environmental sustainability across all performance classes. This has resulted in an engine family with maximum similarities between gas and diesel engines and a level of efficiency that has reached new record highs. All of our engines are charged and they are paired with highly efficient six- and eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. In the case of the high-performance gasoline engines, we decided in favor of a combination of exhaust turbocharging and compressor charging. The higher performing diesel engines are twinturbocharged. All diesel engines are additionally equipped with what we call i-art injection technology (cylinder specific injection pressure control) with an injection pressure of 2500 bar. The powertrain’s compact size allows my colleagues in design to create optimal vehicle proportions with smaller vehicle overhang and plenty of space. The new XC90, which is based on our new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), speaks for itself. Further models underpinned by this platform will follow soon, and our customers are going to get very excited when they see the new language of design. We completed the launch of the Volvo Drive-E Powertrain this year in May. For the first time in 40 years, all Volvo models are powered exclusively by Volvo engines. I’m extremely proud of this achievement. Practically all of the powertrain was developed inhouse and has been receiving excellent reviews in the press. ‹F›: Based on this engine, Volvo teamed up with AVL to develop a 450-bhp high-performance engine, producing 228 hp for every liter of engine displacement (168 kW/l). This is the highest liter output ever to be achieved by a four-cylinder engine. The project demonstrated that a four-cylinder engine could in fact achieve performance levels that were previously only believed possible with a V8 engine. Are you planning to pursue this high-performance concept, which also utilizes an electrically powered supercharger, any further? ‹Dr. Peter Mertens›: The 450-bhp concept vehicle, developed in close cooperation with AVL, was a success all round. After unveiling it in Aachen, we gave several journalists a chance to take the vehicle for a spin. The feedback we got was breathtaking. With this concept, we’ve demonstrated what a four-cylinder engine is capable of. The triple boost – two parallel turbochargers and an electric 48-volt supercharger – produces spontaneity and sportiness, even at low engine speeds. We managed to close the turbo lag completely, so that the vehicle feels as if it were powered by a voluminous, naturally aspirated engine. Volvo was one of the first mass manufacturers to introduce turbo technology on petrol engines, and we are determined to continue this history. Is there any better way than with this concept? ‹F›: With its V60 Plug-in Hybrid, Volvo was one of the very first to combine a hybrid drive with a diesel engine and an all-wheel drive system. Now, with the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, Volvo is presenting an allnew plug-in hybrid model. Could you tell us more about the technology in this vehicle? ‹Dr. Peter Mertens›: The V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid is unique; our sales estimations were exceeded by far. To give you an impression, here are some of the specifications: 0–100 km/h in 6.1 s, 48 g/km CO2 emissions or 1.8 l/100 km fuel consumption. The pure electric range is 50 km. For our performance-oriented customers, the new XC90’s efficient
FOCUS_Aug_2015_E
To see the actual publication please follow the link above