GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – During the first half of 2009, Volvo Cars will launch a variant of the new Volvo XC60 with front-wheel drive, an upgraded Euro 5-compliant 2.4L diesel engine, 175 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque, and CO2 emissions of less than 170 g/km. 

“We’ve increased the engine’s performance by twelve horsepower and 80 Newton meters of torque. At the same time we have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption. This highlights the immense potential of conventional drivelines to deliver continued reductions in carbon dioxide emissions,” said Magnus Jonsson, senior vice president, Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

“This is the first step in a determined drive towards systematic reduction of CO2 emissions from our conventional drivelines. The next stage for the XC60 is a micro-hybrid with the potential for reducing emissions to about 140 g/km,” Jonsson said.

The new Volvo XC60 was introduced with a six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285 hp, as well as two five-cylinder turbodiesels: the D5 with 185 hp and the 2.4D with 163 hp. Four-wheel drive (AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as standard to all these variants.

In 2009, the driveline range will be expanded with a front-wheel drive version of the 2.4D, upgraded to produce 175 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque.

With a manual gearbox, CO2 emissions are less than 170 g/km, and fuel consumption is approximately 6.4 l/100 km. The corresponding figures with automatic transmission are approximately 7.3 l/100 km and 193 g/km.

In addition to front-wheel drive, a variety of smaller improvements contribute to the attractive fuel consumption and CO2 figures. Volvo Cars’ powertrain experts have reduced internal friction and pump losses in the diesel engine. The pressure drop in the intake and exhaust system has also been reduced. Injection pressure has been increased with the next generation of high-pressure diesel pumps and the fuel-injection strategy has been refined through the introduction of Piezo-based injectors.

The engine also has lower compression, more efficient combustion, and the latest generation of engine management. The single turbocharger has been optimized to produce high torque from low revs.