Why Engine Noise Isn’t A Big Issue

Engineers worked hard to quell the noise, vibration and harshness that often plagues engines with an odd number of cylinders. They added a balance shaft and widened the crankcase to stiffen the engine’s structure, for example.

The three-cylinder engine is modular enough to incorporate an electric starter/generator for a future hybrid application. A plug-in version is also in the works. “You might get the impression that we have saved a lot of money because we made everything common, and that is right,” Fleiss said. “But it’s not like we put it into our profits. We are shifting unit cost or value where the customer really needs it. And you can see that in the XC90, for example. Our Sensus infotainment system is world class. So we have put more money from the powertrain into the infotainment system. I’m not saying the powertrain has reduced in value. We have concentrated on the values which are important for the customer and then moved the money into even more important areas for the customer, things that she is touching every day. So that is our strategy, designed around you as a customer.” And because the three-cylinder engine uses the same internal dimensions as Volvo’s four-cylinders, both types of engines can be built on the same production line, which helps contain the cost and will allow Volvo to vary its output based on market demand, Fleiss said. 

“Volvo is a luxurious brand. We cannot destroy this with a rough-running engine,” Fleiss said. “Therefore the complete engine was built to make sure that we have the same luxury feeling as with our four-cylinders.”

That’s also why Volvo will not be building a diesel three-cylinder engine. “Downsizing a diesel engine, you don’t gain so much fuel consumption, but you get a lot of negative effects when it comes to noise, vibration and harshness,” Fleiss said.

It’s this kind of practical thinking that is helping Volvo maximize the investment from its parent company and get back on track after languishing so long. Volvo was an also-ran for many years under Ford ownership prior to getting bought by Geely in 2010. 

Fleiss said Volvo is using the money it saves in production costs to add value to its cars in areas that matter the most to consumers, like the infotainment system.

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