Volvo has introduced a brand new Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) engine that will be fitted to the S80, V70 and XC60 models.

The new Gasoline Turbocharger engine features a turbocharger, direct injection, and twin variable camshafts, and offers “a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range.” Volvo has also fitted the engine with the world’s first exhaust manifold and integrated turbine system made of sheet steel.

According to Volvo, the sheet (steel) is lighter and more compact and, above all, this system generates less heat owing to its extra insulating layer. This allows high gas flow temperature and thus more efficient combustion.

Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars, said we’ve succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it’s also much more energy-efficient. This is a very welcome both for those customers who want high performance as well as supreme drive ability and for the environment that benefits from the improved fuel efficiency.

One of the most important reasons behind the results is the new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines.

The new engine was jointly developed with Borg-Warner and Benteler Automotive, a steel component manufacturer, and produces a power output of 203bhp and 300Nm of torque. The unit is expected to be fitted soon to the S80, V70 and XC60 models, and will be first introduced in South East Asia, the Netherlands, China and Japan, with other markets to follow suit. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed double clutch automatic transmission.