2014 Volvo Drive-E S60, V60, XC60 | new car sales price

Volvo's new, economical Drive-E engines have arrived in Australia. 

The range of innovative four-cylinder powertrains is coupled with a new eight-speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic gearbox to enhance drive feel , fully capture available power and torque  and boost fuel efficiency. The roll-out of the new Drive-E engines starts with 180kW petrol and 133kW diesel units - sporting the T5 and D4 names respectively - which are now available in the S60, V60, and XC60 model lines.

Racing outfit Polestar was involved in the engine validation process working hand-in-hand with the engineering team at Volvo Cars to test and develop the engine during Polestar's World Touring Car Championship campaign.

"Drive-E technology proves that increased efficiencies don't have to be at the expense of performance," Volvo managing director Matt Braid says. "Our new Drive-E engines have been fine-tuned by the same engineers responsible for the Volvo engine currently powering the Volvo Polestar Racing S60 in the V8 Supercars Championship, so performance and drivability, as well as fuel efficiency, was always going to a point of focus."

The turbocharged petrol T5 Drive-E engine delivers 180kW at 5,500rpm and 350Nm at 1,500-4800rpm, which punches the S60 from 0-100kmh in 6.3 seconds and returns 6.4L/100km (combined). These figures put it ahead of competitors like the Mercedes-Benz C250 and Audi A4 2.0TFSI. The Drive-E T5 engine also records impressive results when fitted to the XC60 - 7.2secs to 100kmh and 7.0L/100km.

It's a similar story with the new turbo diesel D4 Drive-E unit - 133kW at 4,250rpm, 400Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm and fuel consumption of 4.2L/100km (combined, for the S60) put it ahead of rivals like the Audi A4 2.0TDI and Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI.

Volvo D4 Drive-E engine.

Also making its debut alongside the Drive-E engines is the new eight-speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic transmission. Coupled with the same stop/start engine technology found on the V40, the eight -speed shifter has software functions that continuously improve calibration between engine and transmission. This helps cut gearshift response time by up to 50 per cent  and optimises fuel consumption in many driving situations.

Volvo Drive-E prices:
Volvo S60 T5 Kinetic: from $49,990
Volvo V60 T5 Kinetic: from $55,890
Volvo XC60 T5 Kinetic: from $57,890