Volvo XC40 now gets a three-cylinder petrol engine option

Swedish luxury car manufacturer Volvo has introduced its first ever three-cylinder Drive-E engine in the XC40. The new engine has been developed in-house and is based on the same modular design as Volvo’s four-cylinder Drive-E engines. Interestingly, it is worth noting that the new three-cylinder engine is indeed a first in the company’s 91-year history.

Initially, the new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, direct-injection petrol engine will come mated to a six-speed manual transmission. By next year, the company might also introduce an optional eight-speed transmission. The engine will be produced on the company’s existing production lines for the four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Moreover reports indicate that the engine is compatible with the Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars.

The new engine comes in addition to the existing D3 148bhp diesel and T4 188bhp petrol engine options. This has also further widened trim options for customers including the entry-level Momentum and dynamic R-Design versions, along with the luxurious new Inscription variant. The new XC40 is based on Volvo’s new modular vehicle architecture (CMA). The same platform also underpins all other upcoming cars in the 40 Series, which includes the fully electrified vehicles too.