2010 Paris Motor Show is just around the corner, and things are already heating up. Car manufacturers are gathering up their best offerings to showcase at the upcoming show. While General Motors is all set with its Chevrolet Cruze hatchback among others, Volvo has decided to launch two new petrol engines named T3 and T4.

These new engines are powered by the latest technology called GDTI, Gasoline Direct Turbocharged Injection. This new technology brings more power from a small unit, without compromising the fuel consumption. Additionally, the torque improves too as lots of it can be found from a low engine rpm. And emissions are very low too. The two engines will be offered in the all-new Volvo S60 saloon and V60 that is expected to be launched by the year end.

The 1.6 GTDi T3 produces maximum of 150 bhp of power and 240 Nm of torque, and the T4 engine generates a maximum power of 180 bhp and 240 Nm, which rises to 270 Nm on overboost. VVT are employed (variable valve timing) on both inlet and exhaust valves. The 1.6 GTDi T3 and T4 engines can be powered with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed Powershift twin-clutch unit. The Swedish company says it has no plans to introduce the GTDi on other models at this stage.

The new GTDi engines offer low weight and excellent heat dissipation capability, thanks to its compact format and its die-cast aluminium body. Weight is minimised using the plastic inlet manifold.

“Small, high-performance GTDi engines are a part of our bid to get more energy out of smaller engines,” said Magnus Jonsson, senior vice-president of product development at Volvo. “We estimate reductions in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions in the region of 20 per cent compared with a conventional engine with larger displacement and similar performance.”

For the 1.6-litre GTDi, Volvo has positioned the injectors centrally above the piston, just beside the spark plug. These injectors have six holes each, which is quite an unusual instance for centrally positioned injectors. The results are uniform and finely atomized fuel distribution and greater control on fuel supply. In cold starts, the fuel is sprayed into the middle of the combustion chamber prior to ignition, pressure is then raised to 100 bar, means that mixture is ready to burn and less fuel ends up on the cold combustion chamber walls. This helps greatly in reducing emissions and fuel combustion.

Another benefit of this is the significant reduction in the soot particulates compared to a side-positioned injector. In cold starts, this injection style would also enhance quick heating of the catalytic converter, which in turn speeds up the exhaust cleaning process!