What’s Best: New Drive-E powertrains across the Volvo lineup promise better fuel efficiencies and reduced emissions without any sacrifice in power.
What’s Worst: Unfortunately, the new Drive-E engines are only available in FWD as Volvo makes the transition this year but, by 2016, the new four-cylinder powerplants and eight-speed transmissions should be accessible throughout the XC60 lineup.
What’s Interesting: The fact that Volvo is basing it entire powertrain philosophy on 2.0-litre four-cylinder architecture.
“I think this test should set a good base line for a comparison with one of our newest models,” Kyle from Volvo was telling me as I turned in the keys to an XC60 earlier this spring.
There was just one problem with his supposition.
You see, I already liked the XC60 just fine, exactly the way it was.
The XC60 first debuted in North America with a 2010 model.
It’s probably not unfair to rate the XC60 as a bit player in our Canadian market, ranked next to competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
But as a gateway to Volvo’s compact-to-full-sized SUV/crossover lineup, it has quickly gained traction to become their best-selling vehicle, both here and in other markets, recently surpassing the global milestone mark of 500,000 sales since inception.
Last year, the XC60 was changed inside and out.
A revised, sleeker exterior featured new components from the “A” pillar forward, especially a wider grille to emphasize the design’s horizontal dimensions. Cornering lights were added and new DRL LED lamps moved to the front corners.
In back, exhaust outlets were incorporated into a new rear fascia and all the black trim cladding along the bottom of the car was removed in favour of a classier, body-coloured look and smoother profile.
Inside, Volvo added new seats, new paddle shifters, an available heated steering wheel, a new Sensus Connect infotainment system, a new Adaptive Digital display with TFT screens instead of the old analogue gauges and a host of electronic upgrades for the already impressive slate of Volvo’s safety technologies.
That mid-cycle refresh went a long way to enhance the appeal of the XC60’s uniquely Scandinavian take on entry-lux crossover accommodation but now, for 2015 and beyond, Volvo is addressing its powertrain lineup.
In fact, Volvo is gambling globally on a selection of new Drive-E engines, all of them based on 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, direct injection architecture. New diesel- (D) or gasoline-powered (T) versions feature a variety of versions with ascending power ratings spread across the company’s entire vehicle lineup.
There are no current plans for an XC60 diesel model here in Canada, or for a hybrid version although the transversely mounted Drive-E engines were designed to be adaptable for future hybrid applications. Indeed, a 2016 plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 is already in the works.
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Because this is a transition year for the changeover to Drive-E powertrains, the new four-cylinder motors will only be available in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration on XC60 models. A two-engine Drive-E choice is available here in Canada – a T5 240 hp turbocharged engine and a T6 302 hp version that adds supercharging to the turbocharging system.
My comparison test started earlier this year with an existing 2015 XC60 T6 AWD ($53,650) model in top-of-the-line Platinum Trim, and in Ice White with a Graphite Leather interior. Volvo’s always seem to shimmer best in silver, but they are almost equally elegant in white, complementing the sleeker, streamlined shape courtesy of last year’s modifications.
Under the hood, that first 2015 XC60 test vehicle harnessed a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine boasting 300 hp and 325 lb/ft of torque. The inline-six turbo engine was mated to a six-speed Geartronic automatic with Advanced Quick Shift.
There’s little to complain about when it comes to the power or demeanor of this six-banger/six-speed combo but Volvo has always been quick to set the bar higher when it comes to performance, fuel economy and emissions.
This engine has been criticized in the past for a not very competitive 13.5/9.7L/100km (city/hwy), verified by my real world results, averaging out to 13.3L/100km (comb).
A few weeks later, I found myself in the seat of my second XC60 test ride; a just released 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD ($51,950).
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It was also tricked out in Platinum trim but was more anonymously discreet in Saville Grey, setting a monochromatic balance with the Graphite Leather interior.
More importantly, it harnessed the new Drive-E 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine with 302 hp and 295 lb/ft of torque. Those numbers come pretty darn close to the turbo six-cylinder power ratings.
This new inline-four engine is also mated to a more modern eight-speed Geartronic automatic with Start/Stop technology and an Adaptive Shift system. This smaller but almost equally powerful engine combines with the more efficient eight-speed tranny for an improved fuel economy rating of 10.9/7.8L/100km (city/hwy). My personal averages, again, based on a real world mix of driving conditions, worked out to 9.8L/100km (comb). Quite a difference when compared to six-cylinder efficiencies.
Those numbers will be impacted somewhat in future should Drive-E powertrains be harnessed in AWD models, which tend to add a 100 kg or so to the overall curb weight. Sort of like having your fat aunt Agnes permanently ensconced in the back seat.
But the new Drive-E fuel economy numbers are pretty impressive in their own right, especially when you consider that both engines make that power on regular octane fuel.
And, although petrol penny-pinching is probably not foremost in the minds of near-luxury customers who pay in the neighbourhood of $50K for their cars or crossovers, it still marks a significant technological evolution in the efficiencies of Volvo’s powertrain plans and aspirations.
Weigh in all the other factors – the unique styling and individualistic cachet of the Volvo brand, the legendary reputation for safety and technological innovation and a long list of luxuries and amenities even in this, Volvo’s entry-level crossover, and the XC60 stands out as a competitive alternative for entry-luxury customers looking for something that stands out as being just a little different from the mass of more common competitors in this segment.
BODY STYLE: Entry-luxury, compact to midsize CUV
DRIVE METHOD: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD)
ENGINE: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD – 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six (300 hp, 325 lb/ft); 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD – 2.0-litre Drive-E turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine (302 hp, 295 lb/ft).
CARGO: 872 litres, 1.909 litres with second row seats folded
FUEL ECONOMY: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD – 3.0-litre 13.5/9.7L/100km (city/hwy); 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD – 2.0-litre 10.9/7.8L/100km (city/hwy)
PRICES: 2015 XC60 T6 AWD Platinum Trim MSRP $53,650. As tested $58,500; 2015 XC60 T6 Drive-E FWD Platinum Trim MSRP $51,950. As tested $57,600.
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