With the debut of its Drive-E technology, Volvo has introduced an all-new engine family, a new transmission and ECO+ fuelsaving functionality. Drive-E delivers efficient operation without compromising the driving characteristics of the vehicle. It is the latest evolution of the XC60 small premium utility vehicle.
The lineup
The lineup starts with the T5 Drive-E equipped with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct-injection and front-wheel drive. Swedish engineers used advanced fuel-saving techniques when developing Drive-E engines, including friction reduction, advanced boosting and combustion, thermal management and variable valve timing. The result is 240 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque with mpg ratings of 24 city, 31 highway, 27 combined.
Drive-E engines are mated with an allnew eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission with additional gears that enable the engines to operate at peak efficiency. The transmission is designed to deliver smooth shifts for excellent drivability and reduced noise.
New Features
Also new is the start/stop feature that automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine restarts when the driver releases the brake pedal. New ECO+ is Drive-E fuel-saving technology that optimizes shift points, engine control and throttle response, potentially improving fuel economy by five percent depending on driving style.
The XC60 lineup continues to offer models with Volvo’s All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction.
The XC60 3.2 AWD’s naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine provides 240 hp with ULEV II emissions rating or 230 hp with PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating. A standard six-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmission teams with All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction.
Moving up to XC60 T6 AWD results in a nice blend of performance and value. Output for its 3.0-liter turbocharged sixcylinder engine is 300 hp and 325 poundsfeet of torque. All-Wheel-Drive with Instant Traction and six-speed automatic are also standard.
At the top of the XC60 lineup is the T6 AWD R-Design with a substantial performance upgrade. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged sixcylinder delivers 325 hp and 354 poundsfeet of torque. The R-Design has a bolder look and standard features include 20-inch Ixion II alloy wheels, color-matched lower body moldings and a metallic-themed interior with unique aluminum inserts in the steering wheel, door moldings and the iconic center stack.
The MSRP on the 2015 Volvo XC60 ranges from $35,750 for the T5 Drive-E to $49,800 for the top of the line T6 AWD RDesign Platinum.
[author image=”http://www.samaonline.org/Ron.jpg” ]Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.[/author]
