5 engine derivatives in new Volvo S40 and V50 range, more power for T5

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Turbocharged T5 petrol engine gets power boost New ratios, shifting points for 2.0D’s gearbox Range of 3 petrol engines offer power, fuel economy Two turbodiesel engines for torque, very low consumption The new Volvo S40 and V50 is launched with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines – including an upgraded T5 turbocharged unit…

  • Turbocharged T5 petrol engine gets power boost
  • New ratios, shifting points for 2.0D’s gearbox
  • Range of 3 petrol engines offer power, fuel economy
  • Two turbodiesel engines for torque, very low consumption

The new Volvo S40 and V50 is launched with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines – including an upgraded T5 turbocharged unit with increased power output and a wider torque band.

Other drivetrain changes include new ratios and shifting points in the manual 6-speed gearbox which is used with the 4-cylincer turbodiesel engine in the S40 and V50 2.0D.

The new S40 and V50 range’s five engine derivatives with its transmission options offer customers various choices – whether they are looking for performance, fuel economy or pure pulling power.

The three petrol engines available in the Volvo S40 and V50 range from the naturally aspirated 2-litre engine which offers exceptional fuel economy to the 5-cylinder naturally aspirated engine in the 2.4i and the upgraded turbocharged 5-cylinder in the range-topping T5 derivative.

A choice of two diesel engines is offered: The 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in the 2.0D with its new gearbox, and the D5 flagship diesel derivative which offers power and exceptional cruising efficiency and economy with the 5-speed Geartronic gearbox.

The model range with the various engines comprises the:

  • S40 and V50 2.0: Delivering 107 kW at 6 000 rpm and 185 Nm maximum torque at 4 500 rpm, this engine offers a fine combination of power and fuel economy. Its power is delivered to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. As with all Volvo engines, it is mounted transversely to allow maximum space in the engine for absorption of crash energy if a frontal collision occurs.

In the S40 and V50’s 1 999 cc engine a variable intake system and an ignition system with direct ignition coils ensures that the torque is raised within the entire engine speed register while fuel consumption is reduced.

Fuel consumption of 7,3 litres per 100 km has been recorded with the S40 2.0 in a test cycle which combined urban and country driving.
The double platinum coated spark plugs in the 2-litre engine can operate for 60 000 km before they need to be replaced, and an oil change has to be done at the regular service intervals of 20 000 km.

A catalytic converter, fitted directly onto the exhaust manifold, together with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system helps to deliver cleaner emissions.

EGR technology lowers the exhaust temperature by using a valve to direct a certain amount of exhaust gases through the EGR cooler before it is recirculated to the combustion chamber. This is done to reduce NOx emissions.

  • S40 and V50 2.4i: Volvo’s well-known five cylinder in line configuration is used for this naturally aspirated engine which delivers 125 kW at 6 000 rpm and maximum torque of 230 Nm at 4 400 rpm. It is offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox or the 5-speed Geartronic transmission with optional manual gearshift.

The V50 2.4i delivered its best fuel consumption of 8,6 litres per 100 km in the manual derivative, and 9,2 litres per 100 km in the Geartronic version.

Although the 2.4i engine has five cylinders in line, it has been mounted transversely – made possible by shrinking the engine’s outer dimensions. The engine’s compact dimensions and its transverse installation also contribute to the car’s excellent crash safety by creating crumple zones to absorb crash energy in an collision.

  • S40 and V50 T5: The 2,5 litre turbocharged 5-cylinder engine in the flagship petrol derivative has been upgraded to deliver more power, and the maximum torque band has been increased by 200 rpm. Maximum power delivery has been stepped up from 162 kW to 169 kW (at 5 000 rpm), and the maximum torque of 320 Nm is now delivered between 1 500 and 5 000 rpm (previously between 1 500 and 4 800 rpm).

The torque graph does not show a curve, as with the naturally aspirated engines, but the typical flat line that you find with a turbocharged petrol engine. The turbo system is tuned to provide exceptional torque from low to high engine speeds. The high and flat torque curve ensures excellent acceleration.

Turbocharging an engine has various positive effects, especially for motorists on the Highveld, where the lower levels of oxygen in the air causes a drop-off in power. Compressing the air with a turbocharger into the engine cylinders leads to a more efficient combustion process and increased power.

The manifold and turbo unit in the T5 engine have been cast together in high-alloy cast steel that is particularly heat resistant. It therefore needs less conventional cooling with petrol. As a result, the engine can be run on a leaner fuel mixture, promoting lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, especially when driving at high speeds and at a higher load.

If the turbo is not worked too eagerly, a best fuel consumption of 8,8 litres per 100 km for the manual model is attainable.

The S40 and V50 T5 is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed Geartronic transmission, offering the option of manual gearshift.

  • S40 and V50 2.0D: These derivatives are powered by the smaller of the two turbodiesels in the range: A 4-cylinder unit which delivers 100 kW at 4 000 rpm and a healthy 320 Nm maximum torque at 2 000 rpm.

The exceptional fuel economy of this common rail turbodiesel which transfers power through its new 6-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels, makes the 2.0D the perfect choice for a driver who wants to save on fuel costs – both with town driving and out in the countryside.

To improve performance, driveability and fuel economy, the gearing ratios of the 6-speed manual gearbox have been optimized, especially in the 6th gear. Volvo Cars has also changed the shifting points for all gears, which provides smoother gear changes.

The turbodiesel in the 2.0D is equipped with a Variable Nozzle Turbine technology for optimum turbo-boost that compresses the air into the combustion chambers to deliver a very efficient combustion process. An overboost function increases the torque momentarily at take-off to 340 Nm.

While emissions of carbon dioxides (CO2) from a diesel engine are 20% lower than from a petrol engine, emissions of particulates are a traditional problem when driving on diesel, especially in urban traffic. As environmental care is one of the core values of Volvo Cars – the others being safety and quality – special attention has been given to the reduction of particulates in emissions.

The emissions of particulates have generally been significantly reduced by approximately 90% in the past 20 years. There is, since a couple of years back, technology available that further reduces these particles by means of a filter.

More than 90% of the remaining particulates can be eliminated with a filter such as the one found in the four-cylinder Volvo turbodiesel.

A few more features of the S40 and V50 2.0D’s turbodiesel engine are:

  • Camshafts that operate on roller followers. This produces low friction and means that the valves can be positioned close to each other;
  • Two separate inlet channels of different lengths and geometry. This creates a powerful whirl which is necessary for good combustion; and
  • Hollow camshafts that are constructed of separate components such as cam lobes. It gives low weight and means that a camshaft can be made of materials with differing characteristics.

Normal service intervals for the S40 and V50 2.0D are scheduled at every 20 000 km, but a change of oil and oil filter takes place every 10 000 km. As with all other services the intermediate oil and filter changes are covered by Volvo Car SA’s 5 year/100 000 km service and maintenance plan.

  • • S40 and V50 D5: One of the jewels in Volvo Cars’ engine range, with the optimum balance between power, fuel economy and effortless pulling power, has been installed in the S40 and V50 D5
  • The powertrain in the S40 and V50 D5 offers an excellent all-round package of features which match and complement the core values of the Volvo brand, namely safety, environmental awareness, refinement and effortless driveability.

This 5-cylinder turbodiesel, which also does duty in the S60, S80, XC70 and XC90, delivers maximum power of 132 kW and 350 Nm of torque between 1 750 and 3 250 rpm. It is only available with the 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, which offers the choice of manual gearshift.

The engine has also been fitted with a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, an electronic engine management system, a two-way catalytic converter with EGR, and a maintenance free particle filter to ensure the cleanest emissions possible.

The efficiency of the turbocharged engine is given a further boost by an intercooler, which cools the compressed air for greater density to deliver a very efficient combustion process for optimum power.

The new-generation turbocharger has electronic control, resulting in fast and precise control of the charge pressure. A large compressor wheel provides higher torque and output. Furthermore, the cambered variable vanes ensure optimum flow of gas at all settings, resulting in an increased level of turbo efficiency.

The injection system has injectors with seven fine nozzles which results in a finely atomized fuel mixture to aid efficient combustion. Injection is done in three steps: pre-injection, primary injection, and post-injection.

All the advanced technology in the D5 turbodiesel, and the natural attributes of such an engine, culminate in exceptional fuel economy which can be as low as 7 litres per 100 km – recorded in a mixed test cycle which included urban and countryside driving.

The S40 and V50 D5 are subject to a 10 000 km oil and oil filter change service. All service and standard maintenance costs are covered by Volvo Car SA’s 5 year/100 000 km Volvo Plan.


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