Strong, Light, In-line, Multi-Valve
- One decisive component in Volvo's engine philosophy is to offer a wide performance
range, which is achieved by turbo-charging. In this context, in-line engines offer another
decisive customer benefit compared with V-engines.
- Volvo normally calls this philosophy SLIM, Strong, Light, In-line, Multi-valve engines
and it offers customers a great many benefits.
- These transverse, in-line engines are now fitted in every Volvo car, from the 4-cylinder
engines in the Volvo S40 and V40, to the 5-cylinder versions in the Volvo S70, V70 and C70
and the 6-cylinder engine concepts in the Volvo S80.
- The Volvo N series of engines has been very highly acclaimed for this combination and
for its characteristics.
- With the introduction of the Volvo S80, this has been taken one, or perhaps several,
steps further.
- In the case of the six-cylinder engine, some 90 percent of the main components are new.
- The fact that the six-cylinder engine has been turned 90 degrees in order to enable it
to be installed transversely, has necessitated many new solutions. Moving components and
small details are not the only things to have been changed. The cylinder block and the
cylinder head are two of the main parts that have also been redesigned.
- The five-cylinder engine variants have always been installed transversely. However, this
is the first time a six-cylinder Volvo engine has been installed in such a manner. In
fact, this is the first time an in-line six-cylinder with a side-mounted gearbox has been
installed transversely in a production car.
- Automotive history has previously seen small transverse straight six-cylinders with the
gearbox behind and below the engine, but the Volvo S80 features the most complex
installation, as well as perhaps both the neatest and most compact- and definitely the
most powerful yet!
- In order to retain the excellent maneuverability, stability and balance which has become
the hallmark of front-wheel drive Volvos, the engineers invented several design solutions
to make it work, not least the very compact transmissions.
Six-Cylinder Engines
- For the combination of smoothness, torque and effortless cruising, few other engines can
match an in-line, six-cylinder. This is a fully balanced and very effective design with
one cold side and one hot side, smooth, light in weight and quiet in operation.
- The Volvo S80 comes with two different six-cylinder engines, one normally aspirated and
one high-performance version with twin turbos, the T-6.
Volvo S80 2.9 - 6 Cylinder, 2.9 Litre
- The normally aspirated engine is known as the B6304S and has a capacity of 2,922cc. It
has a power output of 201 hp at 6,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 207 ft. Ibs. at 4,300
rpm. This engine is the revised version of the ultra-smooth three-litre six-cylinder which
has already proved itself to be a pleasant companion on the road in the discontinued S90.
Volvo S80 T6 - 6 Cylinder, 2.8 Litre Twin-turbo
- The twin-turbo engine, the B6284T, develops some 268 hp at 5,400 rpm and has maximum
torque of 268 ft. Ib. between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. This high-performance
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