Volvo S80's new inline-six a tidy package
The new 2007 Volvo S80 will debut with an all-new inline six-cylinder engine designed in-house. The all-aluminum straight six was designed to be as small as possible, nearly the same size as the company’s trademark five-cylinder engines, so that it can be mounted transversely in the S80 and mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. The package’s tiny dimensions are due in part to the relocation of the ancillary systems like the power steering pump and air conditioning compressor to behind the engine and above the gearbox. These items are therefore not driven by belts at the front of the engine but rather by gears at the rear.
The new 3.2L powerplant produces a healthy 232 horsepower and 236 lb/ft of torque and delivers about 24 mpg. We expect a silky smooth power delivery due to the nature of the inline six form factor and wouldn’t mind seeing this gem in other Ford products that might require big power in small places
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
davico 6:52AM (3/07/2006)
More than the engine in itself we can expect benefits from the fact that unlike the 2.9l I6 it replaces, the new 3.2 I6 is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The (otherwise nice) 4-speed automatic tranny put a heavy penalty on the old I6, making the low-pressure turbo I5 (with 5 gear automatic) a better buy than the non-turbo I6.
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Peter W. 10:14AM (2/02/2006)
Wouldn't gear-driven accessories located behind the engine and above the gearbox have really high maintenance costs come 80,000 miles when they start needing replacement? It just sounds like they have been made very hard to get to.
At this point it seems like having electronically driven accessories dotted about the engine compartment would just be easier.
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Ken 10:17AM (2/02/2006)
While it sounds like an impressive motor I'd hate to have to replace an alternator on it.
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avixe 10:21AM (2/02/2006)
They can't get this into the S40/V50 fast enough.
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LM 10:33AM (2/02/2006)
Oh yes!! another fantastic story about volvo. you should all run out any buy this car!
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DJ 10:54AM (2/02/2006)
The fact that the accessories will now be gear driven have several advantages. First, they'll be much, much quieter in their sealed environment. Second, more durable. Probably expect 150,000 - 200,000 miles for these parts. Third, much more effecient. Chains and belts are not as effecient as gears in transferring power. As a result, less HP will be siphoned off to run these components. Plus, in-line's have a much better torque curve and less "rumble" than V's. Looks like a winner for Volvo.
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Rob Theriaque 10:58AM (2/02/2006)
Not very impressive next to BMW's newest 3.0 I6.
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Mike 11:15AM (2/02/2006)
Does putting more stuff behind the engine shift the weight further forward and unbalance the car toward the front?
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avixe 11:26AM (2/02/2006)
#6, Well, it's more impressive than the 215-hp base six. For the 3.0si, this is down 20hp but up 16lb-ft. I'd call that comparable, especially when this engine goes into what is most likely a considerably heavier S80.
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Nick 11:37AM (2/02/2006)
This engine is also slated to be a "Premier Auto Group" engine -- that is that this engine will find home in Jaguars and Land Rovers in the near future. Just as the Jaguar V8 is now offered in Land Rovers and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Volvo's new I6 will probably end up in the next S-Type and other applications.
I wonder how this thing will look/sound in a north-south configuration for a RWD vehicle like the S-Type?
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Johnny Aero 12:00PM (2/02/2006)
Does anyone realize that SAAB makes a 2.3L turbo 4 that makes 260hp and 258 lb/ft of torque? They have made this engine for years! So lets review, more hp, more torque, fewer cylinders, and better gas mileage. What is so speacial about this engine?
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Mark Weber 12:15PM (2/02/2006)
It's nice to see a carmaker spending money on technological innovation. I never would have expected to see a transverse mounted, in-line 6.
Hope they have adequate space for cooling jackets around the cylinders! Should probably spec it for full synthetic oil just in case, to avoid any hot-spots/sludging issues.
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Allyoop 12:15PM (2/02/2006)
In response to DJ's comment: I agree that inline sixes should be smooth, but what does cylinder configuration have to do with torque/horsepower characteristics? These performance factors are determined by head design, cam timing, intake/exhaust flow efficiency and the motor's operating range. There are torquey "V" motors and screamers.
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Mike 12:44PM (2/02/2006)
Volvo has been using a transverse mounted I6 in their S80 forever. Their I5 is derived from the (now old) I6, which was designed with the help of Porsche, I think.
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Jakob 1:45PM (2/02/2006)
Ass well as transversely mounted V8 engines.. It might be shorter, but wider.
'
/J
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VW 2:07PM (2/02/2006)
VW has their VR6 enigne since 1993, Inline 6, takes the same engine bay size as their 4cyl.
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G. Snyder 2:23PM (2/02/2006)
#10 - Yeah, and a Dodge Daytona had a highly boosted/powerful engine too - what's your point?
A highly boosted turbo 4 does not provide linear power delivery, has higher maintenace costs (usually), and does not offer the mileage gains that appear on paper.
Remember in the 80s when turbos were the answer? How many companies stuck with it? A Turbo is certainly a viable option and they can be well executed (the VW 2.0T for example), but I would not suggest that Saab has this magic engine devoid of serious faults. Everything in life has trade-offs.
Also, I assume by your screename that you drive a Saab. Saabs are cool and quirky (until GM kills the brand, but I hope you are not trying to validate your choice on the forum.
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UH2L 2:57PM (2/02/2006)
#14
I've owned 3 Saabs, (two of them Ecotec based 2.0 turbos), and I have surpassed the EPA window sticker mileage on all of them. The Saab 2.3L Turbo has its torque peak around 1,800 rpm I believe which may not be as good as the impressive new Audi 2.0T, but it is a much older design without the benefit of direct injection and it still gets amazing fuel economy.
A non-linear power delivery isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if somebody doesn't like it, then that's one disadvantage. One could counter that the disadvantage for a V6 or In-line 6 is increased fuel consumption.
Experience the "silent hand" turbo rush of a Saab turbo and you'll understand.
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naggs 3:08PM (2/02/2006)
6 cylinder focus anyone?
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CH 4:20PM (2/02/2006)
To add to #8, there will also be two 3.0L turbo-charged versions with variable vane techology and variable cam timing on both inlet and exhaust valves.
The low-pressure version delivers 285 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The high-pressure version produces 350 hp and 332 lb-ft. Not too shabby!
These won't necessarily find application in the new S80, but may very well turn up in the new S60.
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