new VOLVO XC90 to have all 4cylinder engines.

[grober]

Yup according to Auto Express the new Volvo XC90 will have front mounted 4 cylinder petrol engines- albeit supercharged and turbo charged-- supplemented by a rear mounted electric motor to give 4wd functionality. details here:-

New Volvo XC90 gets an all four-cylinder engine range | Auto Express

 

[blue gnome123]

The new 4 cylinder diesel and petrol engines are getting great reviews. In fact the 2.0 diesels are now much more economical/powerful than the equivalent 220/250 Merc diesels, much of which I understand is due to Volvo engines having separate sensors for each cyclinder enabling the highest levels of fuel/air management. Apparently Volvo have been developing these for quite a while.

 

[TegTypeR]

I do mourn the ever increasing demise of 5, 6, 8 and 10 cylinder engines in the average car (if only for the sound) but the new generation three and four cylinder units various manufacturers are bringing out are very good.

By all counts (as I have yet to try the new Volvo lumps) they are incredibly good.

 

[blue gnome123]

Many cars now even have noise tubes or synthetic generators for the v8 burble. I think that the BMW i8 is an example.

 

[TegTypeR]

Many cars now even have noise tubes or synthetic generators for the v8 burble. I think that the BMW i8 is an example.

Trust me, that just isn't the same and also it can get quite annoying.

I know this is the digital age and all that but there is no substitute for the real thing.

Some of the three cylinder engines do sound quite good though.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I have the new 4 cylinder D4 2 litre twin turbo diesel in my new XC60 combined with the new 8 speed auto. It is phenomenal, brilliant pulling power (400nm of torque from 1500 rpm ish), after 3000 miles I'm close to 47mpg and except at very low revs in very high gear it is totally silent, as is the gear change. On one occasion when I got a bit too exuberant I clocked it turning over at 2100 revs while hitting a cough cough cough number.

It is a really compelling combination that has me totally hooked - same top speed and acceleration as my 03 V8 Range Rover and three times the fuel economy.

 

[seven]

I have the new 4 cylinder D4 2 litre twin turbo diesel in my new XC60 combined with the new 8 speed auto. It is phenomenal, brilliant pulling power (400nm of torque from 1500 rpm ish), after 3000 miles I'm close to 47mpg and except at very low revs in very high gear it is totally silent, as is the gear change.

I had this combination on a long weekend in Poland recently and I can only say that I concur. I was very impressed indeed. Averaged about 45 mpg over about 750 miles of very mixed motoring. Loved the driving position and the cabin.

 

[BTB 500]

My only concern is that a twin turbocharged 2 litre is going be more fragile / have a longer life than a 3 litre V6 giving the same power. Not a problem for those buying new and selling after 3 years when the warranty runs out, but for owners further down the line ...

 

[blue gnome123]

I've just been reading about the new VW Passat and their new twin turbo 4 pot 2.0 deisel. 237bhp and 369lb/ft (incidentally almost identical to the S211 3.0 cdi I had). In 4motion auto format. 0-60 in 6.1sec! That's quite a combo. I presume that Merc are working on an update of the twin turbo 2.1 diesel.

 

[bolide]

My only concern is that a twin turbocharged 2 litre is going be more fragile... than a 3 litre V6 giving the same power

I don't think it will be more fragile. It's a much simpler engine, has only one timing chain and it probably has a stiffer block than a V6. It'd be easier to engineer progressive twin-turbocharging on a four and there would be much more room for turbos

Think about what you lose when you dump a V6 for a four: you lose a cylinder head, a pair of cams, a cam timing mechanism, a timing chain, an exhaust manifold, a fuel rail, two or four injectors, two pistons & con rods, two crank journals & crank throws

You get a shorter crank that's better supported, reduced pumping losses, smiler induction system, etc, etc

When you think about it it's a wonder that V6 engines made any sort of comeback. If Mercedes had made the ML engine bay big enough for the straight six they might never have bothered with a V6

Nick Froome

 

[BTB 500]

Hmm ... good points, but I still can't help thinking that a 2 litre 4-pot is going to lead a pretty hard life hauling 2.5 - 3 tonnes around, compared to a bigger displacement unit running at a lower state of tune.

IMHO it's also a crying shame that the most powerful engine in the new Vito/Viano is only 190 bhp, compared to 224 bhp now. That option is what makes the Vito unique - there are simply no competitors to the V6 version.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I am amazed at how relaxed the engine actually is - that whopping amount of low down torque with an 8 speed box programmed to shift up the gears very rapidly and at 70mph it is showing 1400 rpm. Given the XC60 is not a lightweight, the relaxed nature of the engine is extraordinary, until you put your foot down and the shove is phenomenal.