Volvo has announced the engines available for the new V60 Sportswagon, which includes the new 2 liter Drive-E. Volvo is looking to snatch best-in-class performance and fuel economy at the release of the V60.
Since the '80s, Volvo has been known for making turbocharged wagons like the 740. The V60 Sportswagon is no different, with all of the available engines taking advantage of Volvo's turbo technology. The V60 will combine the unique Volvo traits of performance and practicality, packaged in the understated body of a station wagon.
The standard V60 Sportwagon will have a 2 liter, turbocharged Drive-E motor. Drive-E is Volvo's new engine design standard, which will come to represent minimum emissions and high fuel economy. They will also be designed with the possibility of hybrid systems in mind. The turbocharged inline-four has 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which will be sent through the front wheels. Volvo says the Drive-E engines save between 13 to 26 percent fuel over previous engines, depending on the engine.
The mid-range engine is a 2.5 liter inline-five with 250 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Although the power figures are similar to the four cylinder, the inline-five is the first trim level with available all-wheel drive.
At the top of the range sits the V60 R-Design. The R-Design has a 3 liter turbocharged six cylinder producing 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Volvo wagon ever. The R-Design, much like the five cylinder model, has a Volvo all-wheel drive system. The R-Design is intended for people who want the practicality and safety of a Volvo wagon, without needing to sacrifice speed. Subtle visual cues distinguish the R-Design from other V60s, letting it blend in with other wagons. Aficionados, however, will notice the styling differences and immediately recognize some of the differences in the R-Design. The V60 R-Design also comes with performance optimized shifting software, improving the speed of gear changes.
The standard inline-four is currently the only Drive-E engine available for the V60. Volvo, looking to eventually sell cars with exclusively Drive-E technology, will gradually phase out the other two engines.
"This is an exciting time of transformation for Volvo and shows our Swedish heart is beating strongly," said John Maloney, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. "The V60 signifies our first step in a gradual move toward powerful, highly efficient, four-cylinder engines across the entire portfolio of our vehicles."
The Volvo V60 Sportswagon will arrive in showrooms in January. Pricing, options, and fuel economy figures are yet to be released.
