Designed for fuel efficiency and lower emissions, Volvo debuts two gasoline Drive-E engines — a 240-horsepower and a 302-horsepower version — in the United States.

"The launch of our new Drive-E powertrains is an important step in Volvo's product investment plan that will result in a stronger, more competitive position in the marketplace," said John Maloney, Volvo Cars of North America president and CEO. "A great deal of research went into learning how our customers drive, and these highly efficient, low-emission engines were designed to provide greater customer choice while retaining the performance attributes our customers expect."

Drive-E is also Volvo's name for all innovations made to reduce the impact on the environment. It encompasses everything from a sustainable, efficient and clean manufacturing process, along with the use of recyclable materials, to efficient and low-emission powertrains — without compromising performance.

According to Volvo, drive-E powertrains efficiently deliver what was once only thought possible with six or eight cylinders. Those possibilities further expand when the new engines are teamed with electrification-producing vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids.

Drive-E powertrains offer technical features such as friction reduction, start-stop and brake regeneration, turbo and supercharger and an eight-speed gearbox, according to Volvo.

"We have created smaller, more intelligent engines with power curves that give exciting drivability compared with engines with more cylinders, yet deliver the fuel economy of only four cylinders,” said Derek Crabb, vice president of powertrain engineering at Volvo Car Group. “In addition, by adding electrification, such as plug-in hybrid technology, we will reach power figures in the V8 territory."