Lagos — Volvo Car Corporation has said that it is introducing an all-new four-cylinder 2-litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine in the Volvo S80, V70 and XC60, capable of offering great performance and efficiency.

It said the newly developed turbocharging technology, direct injection and twin variable camshafts would give a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range - all in a particularly compact format.

Volvo said the new petrol engine, the 2.0 GTDi, produces no less than 203 hp despite its compact size and cylinder capacity and pumps out 300 Nm of torque already from 1750 rpm thus securing a refined driving experience.

"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. This is a 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," says Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars.

He said the turbocharger system has been developed in cooperation between Volvo Cars, Borg-Warner Turbo System and steel component manufacturer Benteler Automotive, noting that the turbocharger (K03) is the market's smallest in relation to the engine's maximum output. He said the turbo would not only give excellent performance properties, but would also improve exhaust after treatment by enabling quick heating of the catalyst.

The turbine housing, he explained, is integrated into the manifold, an efficient solution with which Volvo already had previous good experience, noting that the difference is that the new manifold and turbine housing are made of sheet steel instead of a casting. He explained that the sheet is lighter and more compact and generates less heat owing to its extra insulating layer. This, he said, would allow high gas flow temperature and thus more efficient combustion.

"A manifold made of sheet steel is admittedly nothing new but so far it has only been used in combination with cast turbine housing. The new, fully integrated turbo package made entirely of sheet steel is a world innovation and has been patented by Volvo.

"This innovative technology has made it possible to shape the exhaust ducts optimally to allow an optimal gas flow and generate the maximum pulse effect for the highest possible turbine efficiency. The pulse dynamics can thus be utilised to the limits in order to generate a high power output level across a wider range of engine revs. This translates into close to immediate response and good acceleration at both low and high speeds.

"High performance is important to many customers. However, being an innovative and highly efficient powertrain, there is also a significant gain in both fuel consumption and emissions with this technology. A Volvo S80 with this engine and automatic transmission consumes just 8.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres," he said.

He said the new engine features direct injection with the injectors having seven holes for precisely controlled injection into each cylinder and are side-mounted, explaining that direct injection gives a high fill rate in the combustion chamber, efficient combustion and low emissions.

He explained that the turbo also starts spinning earlier, delivering alert response from low revs, which in turn results in swift acceleration and good driveability even from low speeds, adding that direct injection also contributes to quick and stable combustion at high loads, and thus smooth engine operation even when the accelerator is floored.