Volvo Prototype 4-Cylinder Engine Makes 450 hp

Volvo's system uses an electric turbo-compressor...

Volvo Car Corp. has unveiled the latest iteration of its gasoline-fueled Drive-E powertrain family: a high-performance triple-boosted 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces at least 450 hp.

The concept powerplant's key design features are two-step turbocharging and high-pressure fuel delivery. Output from an electrically powered turbo-compressor is used to quickly spool up the main turbochargers, thus eliminating turbo lag. Fuel arrives via a dual fuel pump operating at 250 bar (3,600 psi).

to spool up two turbochargers.

Volvo describes the combination of technologies as unusual in a 4-cylinder engine. But it says they result in "very dynamic" performance compared with small-engine single-turbo systems. The company developed the concept engine with AVL, Denso and Volvo Polestar Racing. Volvo has not indicated when or if it might produce the High Performance Drive-E engine, whose power output is 40% greater than the most powerful production Drive-E engine in the company's current lineup.