Volvo’s XC40 has been made available with the brand’s first-ever three-cylinder engine.
Bearing the T3 label, this 1.5-litre direct-injection petrol unit might be pocket-sized, compared to some of the other recent Volvo engines, but it certainly is punchy, producing a healthy 155bhp at 5,000rpm when linked to a six-speed manual transmission.
An eight-speed automatic option will join the range at a later date.
The manual version can complete the benchmark 0-62mph sprint in a respectable 9.4 seconds, returning a combined cycle fuel economy of 45.6mpg with CO2 emissions from 144g/km.
With 265Nm of torque available from 1,850rpm, all the way to 3,850rpm, the XC40 T3 packs plenty of pulling power, supporting a towing capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes with a braked trailer.
Volvo is ‘committed to innovative engineering’
Jon Wakefield, managing director of Volvo Car UK, reckons that the XC40 – the reigning European Car of the Year – is the ideal car in which to debut the new T3 engine.
“[It is] a unit that demonstrates Volvo's commitment to innovative engineering and technology that prioritises compact packaging without compromising performance and efficiency,” he said.
“Together with the other powertrain additions to the line-up, it gives us a comprehensive model range that will help the XC40 achieve its full market potential."
What equipment comes with the Volvo XC40 T3?
Entry-level Momentum XC40s come with Volvo’s Sensus nine-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, automatic LED headlights with active high beam, 18-inch alloy wheels and a dual-zone climate control system that monitors and maintains cabin air quality.
Keyless start, rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic windscreen wipers and integrated roof rails are also included as standard.
Prices for this new entry-level XC40 T3 start from £27,610, reaching up to £37,620 for the T5 Inscription Pro automatic.
Other XC40 engines
Other engines in the XC40 line-up include the well-proven, two-litre, four-cylinder T4 petrol and D3 diesel engines.
The 187bhp T4 comes with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission as standard, while the 148bhp D3 is available as both a manual and an automatic with the latter adding the choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Completing the engine line-up are the established 243bhp T5 petrol and 187bhp D4 diesel units, both with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.
In June 2017, Volvo announced that it would be moving away from petrol and diesel cars, and that from 2019, every new Volvo will either be a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or a full-blown electric car.
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