UK Press Event, Peak District

Having thought: “What I am going to write about the V60 and its new range of engines?” I soon realised that this piece is probably going to be a bit dull, but I still felt I had to write about it, and it may be more interesting than you would think. Ah well, here goes…

Volvo started planning a new engine around five years ago as they became independent from their previous owners. With new owners, they needed new engines and new technology. Their range of engines was too complex, with too many choices and it was too expensive to produce so many different engines. Therefore with a clean piece of paper, a new start and new owners with money to invest, the program to produce new engines began. Volvo decided to produce just one 2.0 litre engine that would suit both petrol and diesel. It is a 4 cylinder which reduces the vehicles weight which in turn brings other advantages with it. 

The V60 we drove, in Derbyshire near Chatsworth House, was the D4 which produces 181ps and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 8.1 seconds. Quite remarkably the CO2 emission figure is as low as 99g/km with their “Reduced Tyre Programme” and 103g/km with the “Full Tyre Programme”. This means in other words, small and normal sized tyres. But for an engine that produces so much power, the CO2 figure is quite an achievement. 

Volvo use a long list of terminology to describe the new engine. The diesel has; thermal management, friction reduction, exhaust after treatment, advance boosting, smart heat management, advanced combustion and also something Volvo describe as i-ART (intelligent accurate refinement technology) which also incorporates ECM (engine control module) or to put it simply, it monitors the pressure and temperature in each injector via a sensor. 

Far too technical for me I’m afraid. But Volvo engineers say it helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 by up to 35% compared to the current range of engines.

There is also a choice of a 6 speed manual gearbox or the silky smooth 8 speed Geartronic automatic with this new engine.

The Drive-E engine has three choices of drive mode; Sport, Eco and D mode. The Eco mode has something they call EcoCoast which means the engine braking is disengaged and the engine speed drops to idle. Volvo did point out though that to get full use of this feature the driver has to plan driving ahead to anticipate traffic situations, as braking may not be as sharp, or the use of engine braking may not be in full use.

Now here is the problem; Volvo calls the new engine Drive-E and during the press conference everything was referred to as Drive-E. In the press release and press technical specification it is Drive-E this and Drive-E that, every other line it says Drive-E. Unfortunately Volvo are not going to call the all new engine anything when it hits the showrooms and will not be referred to as Drive-E. It will not say Drive-E in the brochures, on the price list and no mention of it on the car anywhere. It will be known though as VEA or Volvo Engine Architecture. But again no mention of this anywhere either. Just when we all thought calling them D2, D3, D4 etc. was confusing, along comes the Drive-E or to put it more accurately, Drive-E has not come along, only in press releases. 

The problem for Volvo will be in the future when a customer is selling one and nobody will be able to easily identify the old engine from the new, more advanced, more fuel efficient all new one: very confusing indeed.

We drove the V60 around the Peak District and what a great car it is and with this new diesel engine it is so quiet and refined. It picks up so well and so it should with 183ps under the bonnet and having twin turbos. Then when you bring in to the equation the emission figure of around 100g/km, it really makes so much sense for the company car driver and the used car buyer in years to come. Of course that is if they can work out what it is the old or new powertrain!

The interior is well laid out, with all the controls being easy to use with no quirky buttons, switches or levers, all very simple. The quality is very high throughout and all materials used are up to a very high standard. You really do feel at home in the V60.

The Drive-E engine will be available in all new Volvo’s by 2015 with the S40, XC60, S80, V70 and XC70 all being fitted with the new engine shortly.

Very little was said about the petrol version of the new engine on the launch in the Peak District, so we will have to wait for more information on that.

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager