GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Volvo Car Corporation announced it is downsizing its engine range, focusing on four-cylinder gasoline and diesel architectures.

Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation and Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development, presented the new strategies at a press conference on Sept. 5.

"It's time to stop counting cylinders. At the Frankfurt Motor Show we will reveal a new concept car. It proves that downsized engines can go hand in hand with our customers' expectations on luxury and driving pleasure," said Mertens.

The company is calling its four-cylinder engine range the Volvo Environmental Architecture (VEA) line. It will include direct-injected gasoline engines and common-rail diesels. The company said its new VEA engines will improve fuel economy by 35 percent, reduce the number of unique parts used by 60 percent, and reduce weight by 198 lbs. (90 kg).

The company also said it will test flywheel drive technology on public roads in the fall. The company’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) captures braking energy in a flywheel that spins at up to 60,000 revs per minute. Once released, this stored energy can either accelerate the car or propel the vehicle once it reaches cruising speed.

Volvo is also focusing on lightweight automotive design, which it said will enable vehicle electrification.