Volvo mulling three-cylinder engines
After announcing its Drive E engines, Volvo is reportedly working on all-new three-cylinder powerplants. A three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine is in the works. This could help the Swedish manufacturer to have class leading fuel efficiency and further clamp down its carbon emissions. This engine will however not have too many variants like its four-cylinder sibling. This is because the engine will not be powerful enough to power anything bigger than the S60 or V60.
This three-cylinder family will make its debut around 2018-19. Derik Crabb, Volvo's global powertrain boss believes that once electric cars become more commercially viable and have higher power electric engines, the requirement of three cylinder engines for charging or hybrid applications will increase.
Considering that Volvo launched the Drive E engine here right after its international launch, there is a chance that the three-cylinder may make its way to the Indian market. Volvo products are CBUs and bringing in a three-cylinder engine to India will lead to lower costs allowing the company to position its products at attractive entry level prices.