Skip advert
Advertisement

Volvo creates super-efficient Drive-E three-cylinder engine

Swedish car firm Volvo follows trend for downsizing by introducing Drive-E three-pot engine

Volvo Drive-E 3cyl engine

Volvo is embracing the trend in downsizing its engines to three-cylinders. The Swedish company is already deep in testing its new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol Drive-E engine and says the tiny unit could appear in its products within two years.

The three-cylinder engine will be built alongside Volvo’s high-efficient 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E. It will primarily feature in the V40 hatchback and its successor which will be built on Volvo’s new CMA – Compact Modular Platform.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Most economical cars on sale

This platform is likely to spawn other derivatives including the possibility of an XC40, although this hasn’t been confirmed. The punchy three-pot will also find its way to Volvo’s larger 60 series cars – S60, V60 and XC60 – thanks to turbochargers to offer great power and performance.

The new engine will be built in Sweden and is another step in Volvo’s aim to move away from five-, six- and eight-cylinder engines.

Michael Fleiss, vice president powertrain at Volvo Car Group, said: “We have learned a lot from the development of our four-cylinder Drive-E engines and translated this into a highly responsive, compact and powerful premium-quality three-cylinder engine. The engine is being developed primarily with our new CMA architecture in mind but will also provide power for our 60 Series cars thanks to Volvo’s advanced turbo technologies, while also meeting Euro 7 emission targets.”

Dr. Peter Mertens, senior vice president research & development at Volvo Car Group, added: “The beauty of the new three-cylinder engine we are developing is that it can be built on the same production lines as our four-cylinder engine, offering flexible production potential which can be adapted to suit business needs as we grow. This marks an important step forward for Volvo Cars. In terms of our power and efficiency, Volvo’s engineering excellence will shine through with the Drive-E three-cylinder engine.”

Now read about our test drive of the Volvo V40 with the new Drive-E 3-cylinder engine installed

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
20 Jun 2025
Buckle up! Volvo's new 'super seatbelt' could transform car safety
Volvo EX90 - front cornering

Buckle up! Volvo's new 'super seatbelt' could transform car safety

New multi-adaptive seatbelt pretensions according to real-time crash data, as well as occupants’ dimensions
News
5 Jun 2025
Tesla struggles in new driver-assistance tests with Autopilot name deemed misleading
Tesla Model 3 - front cornering

Tesla struggles in new driver-assistance tests with Autopilot name deemed misleading

Tesla struggles in new Euro NCAP driver-assistance tests with Autopilot name deemed “inappropriate” by safety body
News
4 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025