Continuously reducing CO₂ emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our DRIVe Towards Zero emissions. It is the most effective way to cut CO₂ throughout our model range in the short term. This work is running parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies.

—Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation

Combining start/stop with automatic gearbox is a larger technology challenge than the manual start/stop version already available in most Volvo models. The engine must restart instantly when the driver moves the right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

The technology uses brake pressure measurement to trigger when to stop and start the engine. The start/stop system is programmed to shut down the engine immediately when the car reaches a standstill (0 km/h). An electric pump keeps oil pressure up in the automatic gearbox while the engine is stopped. The system also includes an improved starter engine.

Downsized five-cylinder engine. The two-liter D3 produces 163 hp (12 kW) and 400 N·m (295 lb-ft) of torque. The five-cylinder 2-liter turbo diesel was introduced 2010 in the Volvo S60 and is now available throughout Volvo Car Corporation’s model range. The five-cylinder D3 is in principle the same engine as the well-established 2.4-liter diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimize fuel consumption.

The piezoelectric fuel injectors minimize consumption with rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure to promote efficient combustion. In order to give the car better driving properties, the turbocharger has been fine-tuned to provide high torque from low revs.

Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions (EU Combined) with automatic gearbox and start/stop is now down to: