How the Volvo Xc90 Got Its V8

The Volvo XC90, since its introduction to the market,its size. Its towing capacity will also be reduced to
has been a success story for the Ford Motor Co.make sure that the turbocharger will not be
owned brand - the Sweden-based car manufactureroverworked. Using a bigger engine is also an option,
Volvo. Its cutting edge design and its package ofusing a V8 engine just like its competitors would surely
safety systems makes this model a sure hit forincrease the vehicle's power but a problem arises
buyers. While power from its engine is enough for theagain. A big V8 engine would not fit in the car's
normal demands on it, competitors in its classcompartment which is designed to accommodate
continually raise the bar when it comes to power andin-line engines. This is where the Ford Motor Company
the company is developing new concepts and designcomes in. Its extensive resources will give the Volvo
for their engines to cope up. A solution is needed inmodel the V8 engine it needs for more power.
order for the company to be a serious competitor inA Ford car once used an unusual V8 which was
the crossover SUV market which is showing no signdesigned based on Ford's Duratec V6. This V8 engine
of slowing down in spite of expectations against itis unusual since it uses a 60-degree angle between the
doing so.two banks unlike most V8s which uses a 90-degree
The acquisition of Ford Motor Company of the brandangle for balance. This production of the engine was
proved invaluable in finding the solution to the powerdiscontinued since it has low sales. The engine
problem that the company is facing - that is power inproduced 237 horsepower which will be no
their cars. The original engines employed by the Volvoimprovement to the original turbocharged in-line
XC90 are a 2.5-liter in-line, five-cylinder engine with 208six-cylinder but the design of the engine can be used
horsepower; and a 2.6-liter in-line, six-cylinderto develop a larger engine. And this is what the
turbocharged engine with an output of 268company did, joining forces with Yamaha, and they
horsepower. Both designs are compact and couldhave produced a 4.4-liter V8 engine which gives 43
easily fit into the car's ample engine compartment.more horses than the original engine.
However, the problem is that the Volvo XC90 is largerThe uniquely designed V8 is a great step for the
and heavier than other Volvo cars which employs thecompany; they now have more power to hide under
same engines. The power produced by both enginethe hood of their Volvo XC90, and along with it come
even the souped up six-cylinder one is just enough toa wide array of reliable parts like the Volvo distributor
give the car decent acceleration and speed, and thisrotor which makes sure that all 8 cylinders will fire on
shortage of power is being exploited by its competitortheir proper order. The development of the V8 for the
which uses much bigger engines thus having moreVolvo XC90 is a great leap forward for the company,
power.with it the Volvo XC90 has become a serious
While increasing turbo boost can significantly increasecompetitor in its class.
power, it would not work with the Volvo XC90 given