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February 08, 2006


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The All New Volvo S80 Powered by New Six-Cylinder In-Line Engine

Volvo Cars is unveiling an entirely new high-efficiency six-cylinder in-line engine, featuring an advanced induction system that contributes to both good performance and impressive fuel efficiency. Volvo's innovative engineering solutions have created a remarkably compact engine for the second generation of its new S80 luxury sedan. As a result, the transversely installed engine further contributes to impressive impact safety.


Photo: Volvo

GOTEBORG, Sweden - The all new compact, six- cylinder engine, designed by Volvo, features a main structure that is made entirely of aluminum. In spite of its compactness, the new engine has a larger displacement, more horsepower, and a higher peak torque than Volvo's previous generation naturally aspirated in-line six.

"The engine has been designed to be mated to Volvo's new six-speed automatic transmission," says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Cars. "And the entire driveline has been designed together with the rest of the car so as to create a harmonious, high-class driving experience in every respect."

 

 

 

Two Engines in One

The engine features a range of very technically advanced solutions. An advanced valve train and a variable intake system mean that the engine can be exploited efficiently throughout the rev range, thus promoting alert response and excellent performance. At the same time, the engine is very fuel-efficient.

The valve train features VCT (Variable Cam Timing) and CPS (Cam Profile Switching) on the inlet side -- two key elements in providing the engine with excellent driveability and flexibility.

CPS (Cam Profile Switching) means that the camshaft is designed such that the inlet valves are lifted to two different heights depending on engine speed and load.

In normal driving with normal throttle opening and low engine revs, fuel consumption is modest yet torque is sufficient to provide good driveability.

In more enthusiastic driving, which involves full throttle opening and high engine revs, the engine response to acceleration is instantaneous, providing a massive thrust of power at both low and at high speeds.

VIS (Variable Intake System) has been equipped with two throttle flap valves which adjust the intake manifold volume to suit the current driving situation. This results in a uniformly high and broad torque curve.

Compact Format Contributes to Impressive Collision Safety

Despite the engine's 3.2 liter displacement, the exterior dimensions are extremely compact. The complete engine package is only about one-tenth of an inch longer than Volvo's five-cylinder engine. The total engine length is less than 25 inches.

The engine itself cannot be made all that much smaller since the cylinder spacing and block structure are roughly the same as in the five-cylinder engine. Instead, the focus was on building the entire installation, encompassing the engine, automatic transmission and ancillaries, in as compact a package as possible. One additional condition that had to be taken into account was that the transmission would be a six-speed automatic.

Built in Wales

Volvo's new six-cylinder engine will be built in Ford's modern engine factory in Bridgend, Wales. The factory was built in 1980 and had already manufactured ten million engines by 2001. In recent years, considerable investments have been made to meet the stringent quality requirements imposed by Ford's Premium Automotive Group (PAG).

(Feb. 3, 2006)

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