What’s preferable for power-boosting – supercharging or turbocharging? The difference, of course, in the added air-induction system into the cylinders is that a supercharger is belt-driven, a turbocharger is exhaust-driven.
As for which is the better process, Volvo says that is a moot point in its new 2015.5 S60 T6 Drive-E sedan. The Swedish auto firm has installed both supercharging and turbocharging in its 2.0-liter, direct-injection 4-cylinder engine.
That’s right, a 4-cylinder, though the T6 designation might lead to other assumptions.
With the dual power-boosters at hand, the small block kicks out an astounding 302 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The supercharger is working from the initial takeoff and is effective for low-end thrust, then goes into idle mode as the exhaust turbines force the turbocharger into action all through the higher rpm.
A benefit beyond the high-power net is that, with only 4 cylinders at work, the S60 midsize four-door rolls up fuel mileage figures into the 30s. I averaged 31.3 miles per gallon with an S60 review model, even while enjoying the super/turbo perks. The car’s EPA estimate is 24/35.
The charged-up 4-cylinder with the 8-speed transmission is available for now in the S60’s front-wheel-drive sedans; the all-wheel-drive models still rely on power from the Volvo’s 5- and 6-cylinder engines. Eventually, the 4 will be under the hood of both configurations.
The fact this model is known as T6 Drive-E is confusing; it gets its 4-cylinder power from the super/turbo chargers, while another version called the T5 Drive-E has the 4-cylinder with only turbocharging.
The performance of the duo-boosters will sell the S60, even though, occasionally in sport mode at midrange the power seems to linger and jump back and forth momentarily.
A Platinum options package added a Harmon Kardon premium audio system with excellent speakers and boosted sticker price to $47,575. The rearview camera can be switched from full view to a closeup of the right side for parking the vehicle.
For years, the S60 four-door has been a bit short on legroom, and trunk space measures only 12 cubic feet.
Here are the specifications for the 2015.5 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E:
- Capacity 5-passenger sedan
- Wheelbase 109.3 inches
- Length 182.5 inches
- Width 73.4 inches
- Height 58.4 inches
- Curb Weight 3,472 pounds
- Track 62.1 inches front, 62 rear
- Ground Clearance 5.4 inches
- Turn Circle 37.1 feet
- Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
- Engine 2.0-liter supercharged, turbocharged 4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 302/295
- Transmission 8-speed automatic
- Steering electronic power rack-and-pinion
- Suspension MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 24/35
- Fuel mileage average 31.3
- Fuel Tank 17.8 gallons, premium
- Wheels 19-inch
- Tires Pirelli Cinturato 235/40R19
- Cargo Volume 12 cubic feet
- Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, powertrain
Competitors Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport, Audi A4, Lexus IS250
Assembly Plant Ghent, Belgium
Parts Content Belgium 32%, Sweden 21%, U.S./Canadian 1%
- Base Price of Lowest Model $33,300;
- Base Price of Review Model $39,000;
- Destination Charge $925;
- Sticker Price $47,575.