~ Auto Buzz ~: Volvo showcases new 2.0-litre Drive-E engine, triple-boost with 450 hp [+Video]

Volvo is proud to announce their prototype High Performance Drive-E Powertrain with 450 hp. In a move to proof their “commitment to delivering driving pleasure through down-sizing”, they have worked with their suppliers AVL, Denso, and Volvo Polestar Racing to develop this High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept.

152568 volvo cars reveals 450 horsepower high performance drive e powertrain Volvo showcases new 2.0 litre Drive E engine, triple boost with 450 hp [+Video]

Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at Volvo Car Group said “When we launched the Drive-E powertrain family, our aim was to deliver the most advanced 4-cylinder engines in the industry based on emissions and fuel consumption relative to performance and drivability. We knew that 320 hp in our petrol configuration was just a starting point. The 450 hp High Performance Drive-E Powertrain Concept, demonstrates this ambition and the versatility of the Drive-E Powertrains,”.

152570 volvo cars reveals 450 horsepower high performance drive e powertrain Volvo showcases new 2.0 litre Drive E engine, triple boost with 450 hp [+Video]

The 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol has been further boosted by a couple of parallel turbochargers, which are fed by an electrically powered turbo-compressor. The compressed air from the turbo-compressor is then used to spool up the two parallel turbochargers while fuel is fed by a dual fuel pump working at 250 bar pressure, claiming to eliminate the dreaded turbo lag.

152569 volvo cars reveals 450 horsepower high performance drive e powertrain Volvo showcases new 2.0 litre Drive E engine, triple boost with 450 hp [+Video]

Volvo refers this setup as “triple boosting”, and it’s another step to fully utilise their flexible Drive-E powertrain. “It may sound odd, but this 450 hp powertrain concept is an important part of the Drive-E development program. Down-sizing must offer customers attractive and usable power for broad scale emissions reduction to work. Compact powertrains free up space and weight in the structure of the car, which can be used for electrification and even further emissions reduction. And that is our ultimate ambition,” added Dr. Mertens.

152571 volvo cars reveals 450 horsepower high performance drive e powertrain Volvo showcases new 2.0 litre Drive E engine, triple boost with 450 hp [+Video]

It’ll be interesting to see when (or if) Volvo decides to put this in production, as it has a huge potential to go against the likes of the German rivals that are already using their version of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder powetrain with various state of tuning.